Army soldier Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

As a soldier in the army, you would be a member of a regiment in:

• either Combat Arms – as part of the fighting forces, such as the cavalry, armoured corps, air corps and infantry
• or Combat Support Arms – providing support to Combat Arms in areas like artillery, engineering, IT and communications, logistics, and healthcare.

You would carry out a wide range of military duties, take part in operations and learn a skill or trade essential to the army. Your exact duties would depend on which of the Arms you work in.

For instance, in Combat Arms, you could be:

• an armoured vehicle driver
• part of a tank crew
• a gunner onboard a battlefield helicopter.

In Combat Support Arms you might work as:

• a mechanical or electrical engineer, maintaining the army's vehicles and equipment
• a logistics controller, making sure that regiments are supplied with everything they need for an operation
• a communications operator, providing radio and satellite systems to keep commanders in touch with officers and troops.

As an experienced soldier you could take on specific duties, such as target surveillance or explosives work, or apply to join a specialist unit like the commandos.

Hours

Your working hours would depend on your regiment and your particular job. Hours can be long and irregular during exercises and operations, and you may be away from your family for long periods.

You could serve in the UK or overseas. You would face a wide variety of conditions and situations ranging from office duties to working in an engineering workshop, kitchen or field hospital, depending on your role.

You would also spend a lot of time on training exercises.

Income

Your pay as a soldier in the army depends on your rank, how long you have served and the pay band for your particular job.

New recruits in training start on around £13,400 a year. On completion of 26 weeks training, this rises to over £17,000 a year.

Private soldiers can earn between £17,000 and £28,000 per year, Corporals can earn up to £35,000 a year, and those with higher ranks can earn up to around £46,000 a year.

There are additional allowances, for example whilst serving overseas, and subsidised food and accommodation. Housing for married soldiers is also subsidised to enable families to accompany their partner throughout their careers unless serving on Operations.

Entry requirements

To join the army, you must:

• be aged between 16 and 33 on the day you enlist (if you are under 18, you will need consent from a parent or guardian)
• meet the army nationality and residency requirements (see the Citizenship page of the British Army website for details)
• pass a full army medical examination.

You may need some qualifications for certain technical roles, such as in engineering or communications, but for many army jobs you will not need any. You can check the entry criteria for each job role on the British Army website, or discuss your options in detail with your local Armed Forces Careers Office. You could also take army practice tests, which aim to match you with the jobs best suited to your skills. See the British Army website for more information.

• British Army

The next stage involves spending two days at your nearest Army Development and Selection Centre, which includes an interview, taking a series of physical and aptitude tests, and having a full medical examination. If you are successful, you can sign up and start the Phase One training programme. See the Training and Development section below for details.

If you are aged between 16 and 17 years and one month, you could apply for the 42-week school leavers’ course at the Army Foundation College at Harrogate. See the College website for more information.

• Army Foundation College

When you join the army, your contract will be for about four years. You can leave any time after this point, as long as you give 12 months’ notice.

Territorial Army

You may prefer to become a part-time soldier with your local Territorial Army (TA) unit as a volunteer. You can apply to join the TA between ages 17 and 43. TA soldiers are committed to serving a minimum of 27 training days per year plus a two-week annual camp, but you can serve every weekend if you wish. Many TA soldiers choose to go on operations serving alongside regular soldiers for 6-month tours of duty. See the British Army website for details.

• British Army

Training and development

As a new recruit, whatever your chosen army job other than Infantry, you would take part in a 14-week Phase One training programme, often called basic training.

Phase One training involves:

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

When you have completed Phase One, you would move on to your chosen regiment or corps to begin Phase Two specialist training. This will vary in length depending on your chosen job role.

You will also be able to work towards relevant qualifications for your trade, such as NVQs, City & Guilds awards, degrees or driving qualifications.

Infantry soldiers complete a 28-week Combat Infantryman’s Course.

All soldiers receive regular training throughout their career to enable them to develop the skills needed for further promotion through the ranks.

Skills and knowledge

To become an army soldier, you will need to have:

• self-discipline, confidence and initiative
• good teamworking skills
• the ability to think and react quickly in rapidly changing situations
• good communication skills
• good fitness levels
• a willingness to be involved in combat
• the ability to take orders and follow instructions
• practical and technical skills relevant to the regiment or corps you want to join.

More information

British Army
Tel: 08457 300111
www.army.mod.uk

Opportunities

Army soldiers are given an initial contract with the Army to serve for four years, which can be extended. Promotion has to be earned through good management, leadership, qualifications and commitment. However, all soldiers have the opportunity to rise through the ranks from Private soldier to Warrant Officer Class 1. Many then go on to become officers.

Contact your local Armed Forces Careers Office for more information and advice. See the Army Jobs website to find your local office or Territorial Army (TA) centre.

• Army Jobs

Throughout your career you will have opportunities to develop and enhance your personal qualifications, giving you many transferable skills that are recognised by civilian employers. This would give you a much wider range of career opportunities once you leave the army.

You may find the following links useful for vacancies and general reading (links open in a new window):

• Army Jobs
• Quest

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

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