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.

Pay

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

• where you work
• what job you do.

New recruits (in basic training) start on £16,844 a year. Salaries for qualified privates in the British Army start at £21,424 a year. Lance Corporals earn £28,351 a year. Corporals £33,065 a year and Sergeants £37,198 a year. You get extra allowances in some jobs and for being overseas. Some Army jobs pay more than the standard rate.

The Army provides subsidised food and accommodation, uniforms and protective clothing, free healthcare and a pension.

Conditions

• 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.
• You will normally be away from home for 6 months at a time when deployed on operations.
• Although normal hours are Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm, when you are on exercises or on operations hours will be irregular and will more than likely include weekends.
• You will be entitled to 38 days leave a year. You will get additional time off mid-tour, and when a tour ends.
• It is not always adventurous and exciting; there is a lot of routine work.
• It is possible to leave the Army if you decide it isn't for you, but the rules depend on your age. You receive this information on recruitment.

You should be aware that in the army, you will at times be operating in difficult and dangerous conditions and there may be the risk of injury or death.

Useful Subjects

• Physical Education
• SfW Uniformed and Emergency Services

Getting In

• You do not always need formal qualifications, but you will need to pass the Army entrance tests for all roles in the Army.
• You must meet residence and nationality requirements – they are shown on the Army website.
• You should be aged 16-36 (you must have started Phase 1 training before your 36th birthday).
• 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.
• After applying online, you will be assigned to a Candidate Support Manager (CSM). You will be given a personal development plan to follow which will prepare you for the next stage, the assessment centre.
• If you are medically fit and meet eligibility standards then you spend two days at an assessment centre. This involves physical and mental tests, a medical examination, team exercises and a career discussion.
• For some jobs you need good eyesight and colour vision.
• There is a National 4 Skills for Work course in Uniformed and Emergency Services, which introduces school pupils to careers in the armed forces, emergency services and Merchant Navy. Contact the Scottish Qualifications Authority for details. Some colleges also run Entry to the Uniformed Services courses.

What Does it Take?

You should be:

• physically and mentally resilient
• reliable and adaptable
• responsible
• practical
• able to accept strict discipline and follow instructions quickly and accurately
• good at working in a team
• able to work in dangerous situations.

Training

• Having completed the assessment centre, you will be given a grade. This grade determines how long it will be before you start your initial training, known as Phase 1.
• If you are a junior recruit (under 17 years and five months) you will complete Phase 1 training at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate.
• If you over 17 years and five months, you will complete their 14 week Phase 1 basic training course at either Pirbright or Winchester.
• You then train in your chosen work, by on the job training and short courses. This training varies in length, depending on your specialisation.
• Apprentices receive basic military training, on the job experience and courses in your chosen work.
• All soldiers start an Apprenticeship at Level 2, 3 or 4 when they join the Army. There are many jobs to choose from such as engineering, information and communications technologies, construction, driving or animal care. For Level 2, no formal entry requirements are required, for Level 3-4 you require 3- 5 subjects at National 5.
• 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.

More Information

For detailed information about the army, phone 0345 600 8080 or visit the Army website to find your nearest Army Careers Office.

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Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.