Army - Soldier

Soldiers may be in a fighting unit, or in a combat support unit doing catering, clerical, or medical work, or in a trade such as electronics or mechanics. There are over a hundred different jobs in the army, from aircraft technician to tank crewman.

All soldiers must be ready to go to war. They all train to fight, as well as having other skills.

The Work

You could be:

• working at your base in the UK


• taking part in exercises, in the UK or overseas, to practise for battle


• undertaking training and keeping fit


• taking part in combat operations


• taking part in peacekeeping or humanitarian operations.

Conditions

• As a new recruit you must serve for at least 28 days before you can leave.
• You would normally join the army for at least four years if you are over 18, although you can leave within the first 3 months if you give them 14 days' notice.


• If you are under 18 when you join the four years start from your 18th birthday, and you can leave within the first 6 months if you give them 14 days' notice.


• Working conditions vary, depending on where you are and what you are doing - you could be in a machine shop, a kitchen, an office or outside.


• If you are single you will live in the barracks in Single Living Accommodation. If you are married you can live in an army house at a subsidised rent. If you have a family you may live in Service Families Accommodation.


• You will sometimes have to live under field conditions.


• You can be sent anywhere in the UK or abroad, sometimes at short notice and may be away from home and family for several months on end.


• Although normal hours are Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm, when you are on exercises or on operations hours will be irregular and may include weekends.


• It is not always adventurous and exciting; there is a lot of routine work.

Getting In

• You do not always need formal qualifications, but a good general education is useful.


• You can start as an apprentice in 4 corps: Royal Engineers, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, the Royal Corps of Signals and the Royal Logistics Corps – for this you need Standard grade English and maths and possibly one or two science subjects (depending on the type of apprenticeship).


• You must meet residence and nationality requirements – they are shown on the army website.


• You must take the army entrance test (known as BARB) and pass an interview.


• You should be aged 16-33.


• If you are under 18 your parents or guardians must agree to you joining.


• You must be fit and healthy – there is a strict medical check.


• For some jobs you need good eyesight and colour vision.


• Women cannot join the Household Cavalry, Royal Armoured Corps or the Infantry.

What Does It Take?

You should be:

• physically brave


• reliable and adaptable


• responsible


• practical


• able to accept strict discipline and follow instructions quickly


• good at working in a team


• able to work in dangerous situations.

Training

• If you are a junior recruit (16-17 years old and one month) your basic training lasts between 20 and 42 weeks.


• If you are an adult recruit (17-33 years old) basic training lasts for 14 weeks.


• You then train in your chosen work, by on-the-job training and short courses. This training varies in length, depending on your specialisation.


• If you are an apprentice, you do an 8-month course, including basic military training, on-the-job experience and courses in your chosen work.


• You will have the opportunity to gain recognised qualifications.

Getting On

• Taking training courses while in the army will help you move on.


• There is a clear promotion route from private to lance corporal, corporal, sergeant and beyond.


• You may become a non-commissioned officer (NCO) after you have completed your first lot of training.


• When you leave the army, you will be able to use your skills in other jobs.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work


• what job you do.

More Information

For detailed information about the army, phone 08457 300 111 and visit its website at http://www.army.mod.uk/
The Ministry of Defence website at http://www.mod.uk/ will also be helpful.

Addresses

The following organisation(s) may be able to provide further information.