Service men and women in the army, usually known as soldiers, carry out a wide range of military duties, take part in exercises and operations, and have a skill or trade essential to the army.

The army plays an important part in NATO and UN operations. British soldiers will go wherever they are needed in the world. Many overseas operations involve peacekeeping and humanitarian duties.

The army consists of regiments and corps, divided into:

• Combat Arms - troops directly involved in fighting (the cavalry, armoured corps, air corps and infantry)
• Combat Services - provide support to the Combat Arms (artillery, engineering, IT and communications, logistics, and healthcare).

Within both Arms and Services there is a range of job roles. The army will provide training, access to qualifications, and financial support (a salary or bursary) to recruits interested in becoming, for example, a carpenter/joiner, electrician, bricklayer/concretor, heating and plumbing engineer, vehicle mechanic, nurse, healthcare assistant, or dental technician.

Hours and Environment

Hours of work vary depending on the situation. Typical working hours are 8am-5pm, Monday to Friday. During exercises and operations, hours may be long and irregular. Soldiers can be separated from their families for long periods.

Soldiers can be stationed in the UK as well as overseas. They are trained to work in a wide range of conditions and situations. The immediate work environment varies with the job and may include deskwork, outdoor work, field conditions and specialist areas such as workshops or kitchens.

Skills and Interests

To be an army service man/woman you should:

• have self-discipline, confidence and initiative
• have good team working skills
• be able to think and react quickly in rapidly changing situations
• have good communication skills
• be physically fit
• be prepared to be involved in combat
• be able to accept orders from others
• have practical and technical skills appropriate to the regiment or corps you wish to join.

Entry

To join the army you usually need to be aged between 16 and 33 on the day you enlist (under 18s need the consent of a parent or guardian). You must also meet the army nationality criteria (check the British Army website for details). 

Your local Army Careers Office will provide you with an application form and assess your potential for the army. They will invite you to sit the Army Entrance Test, designed to match you with jobs best suited to your skills and talents.

Academic entry requirements vary between job roles within the army. For example:

• to join the infantry and household cavalry requires no formal educational qualifications
• to join the Royal Engineers as a Heating and Plumbing Engineer, you will need three GCSEs grade C or above in English, maths and science/CDT
• to join the  Corps of Army Music you should be competent on any string, wind or percussion instrument and you will be assessed by audition.

You can check the British Army website (see Further Information) for the specific entry requirements for all of the job roles you are interested in.

The next stage involves attending a two day Army Recruit Selection Centre. This includes:

• having a medical (you need to be in good health)
• undergoing a physical assessment
• taking an aptitude test
• being interviewed
• gaining insight from new recruits, who have recently started their training.

If you pass the selection centre, you return to the Army Careers Office and sign your army contract. The next step is Phase One Training (see Training section).

You will join the army on an open engagement for 22 years’ service from the age of 18, or your date of entry, whichever is later. You may leave after four years' service from the age of 18, or the date of entry, whichever is later, giving 12 months’ notice. There are exceptions to this; please check the British Army website for details. 

The Army Foundation College (AFC) is another option for people aged 16 to 17. With the AFC you will:

• not require any formal qualifications in order to apply to the college 
• be selected for the AFC through the same process outlined above (Army Entrance Test and Army Recruit Selection Centre)
• complete a 12 month course made up of training and vocational education, on full soldiers' pay
• work towards NVQ level 2 or 3 and complete army 'basic training' (Phase One)
• on completion of the course, be able to start Phase Two Training with your chosen Regiment or Corps.

For some trades and services soldiers under the age of 25, may be recruited to an apprenticeship scheme. This can lead to more rapid promotion. 

Training

As a new recruit, regardless of your chosen army job, you will take part in a 12 week 'basic training' programme often referred to as Phase One. This involves:

• developing drill skills, map reading, first aid and rifle handling
• field craft and night training, including camouflage techniques
• target practice and live firing
• fitness tests, obstacle course and adventure training
• night manoeuvres.

When Phase One is completed you have a 'Passing Out Parade and, after taking some annual leave, you move in to your chosen regiment or corps and begin Phase Two.

Phase Two involves specialist training in your chosen area within Arms or Services. Your training will vary in length depending on your chosen job role. If you join the infantry, for example, you will undertake a further 14 weeks training. Other specialist areas will involve anything from two months to two years training. Many recruits will begin to work towards qualifications such as NVQs/SVQs, BTECs or driving qualifications.

Those who enter on an apprenticeship scheme will gain at least NVQ/SVQ Level 3 in their chosen specialism; this can take up to two years.

The army is committed to providing opportunities for continuing professional development.

Opportunities

There is a constant need for new recruits, therefore suitable candidates are always in demand.

Promotion is from private to lance corporal, corporal, sergeant, staff sergeant or colour sergeant, warrant officer class II and warrant officer class I. It may be possible to gain promotion to non-commissioned officer (NCO) and from this enter officer training.

Throughout a career in the Army there will opportunities to achieve recognised professional and further education qualifications such as City and Guilds, NVQs, BTEC HNC/HND or degrees, which are valued by employers in the civilian world.

Information and advice is available from local Armed Forces Careers Offices (AFCO); contact details can be found in telephone directories or on the British Army website.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

The starting salary for new recruits is around £12,200 a year.
Privates earn £14,300 to £23,500 a year.
More senior ranks, such as Warrant Officer I, can earn up to around £35,000 a year. 

Additional allowances may be paid when serving overseas. Married soldiers will often be entitled to an Army house and subsidised rent.

Further information

Trenchard Lines
Upavon
Wiltshire
SN9 6BE
Tel: 01980 615041 Tel: 08457 300111