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Army Army - Be The Best. Regular & Territorial

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Infantry Soldier Infantry

Combat

As part of the Army’s front-line team, you get involved in everything from peacekeeping and disaster relief to full-scale war. You won’t do this on your own, though – you’re supported on the battlefield by some of the Army’s best soldiers. And you make some great friends in your unit, which generates vital team spirit in combat.

Are you right for this role?

You should be:

  • Sex: Male
  • Regular Army Age: 16 - 32.11 years
  • Territorial Army Age: 17.6 - 42.11 years

You should have:

  • No formal qualifications required

You should like:

  • Taking risks and feeling the adrenaline
  • Outdoor activities
  • Working outside
  • Target or game shooting
  • Driving vehicles

You should be interested or have experience in:

  • Combat
  • Ammunition & Explosives Handling
  • Telecommunication
  • Vehicle / Equip Mechanic
  • Paramedic
  • Security
  • Driving large vehicles
  • Driving small vehicles

Lance Corporal McKinley has made some fantastic friends in the Army...

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I’ve been an Infantry Soldier for four years now, and in that time I’ve been to Cyprus, Belize, Canada and Afghanistan. It’s amazing to think I’ve been to all those places in such a short space of time. I’ve made my best mates in the Army, and I enjoy every aspect of being a soldier. You need to be fit, have a sense of humour and be ready for any challenge.

 

Regular Army

Training

The Infantry Training Centre Catterick (ITC(C)) trains all Infantrymen joining the British Army & produces the best Infantry soldiers in the world. You will complete a Combat Infantryman's Course (28 weeks), which combines your initial training and your Infantry training (Phase 1 & 2). You learn essential soldiering skills like how to survive in numerous environments and you will build stamina and fitness. You will be taught how to fire the Infantry weapons, how to administer first aid, how to map read in all conditions as well as many other skills of the trade. Junior entry Infantry soldiers (aged 16-17) receive basic training at the Army Foundation College Harrogate, and then you complete your Infantry training at ITC(C) on a 10 week course. Once you have finished your Infantry training you will then complete a further 2 weeks to gain a B or C drivers license. Now you are ready to join your Regiment and take part in all manner of operations world-wide.

Skills you can learn

You’ll have a specialist role within your team: machine gunner, sharpshooter, combat medic or rifleman. Mastering these skills is down to you. You’ll learn how to combine all of the combat roles in order to defeat the enemy, often in hostile or challenging environments. You’ll also be a qualified parachutist and therefore earn more money! Later in your career you’ll learn how to manage larger teams of soldiers and this important equipment in high pressure situations. Your communication skills will be second to none; you may end up advising senior officers. You’ll learn many life skills that will help you in your future, you’ll become confident, fit & learn many new skills that you simply would not learn out of the Infantry

Qualifications you can achieve

  • Variety of driving licences
  • Public Services Apprenticeships in Security, Communications, Engineering, Carry and Deliver Goods, and Storage and Warehousing
  • NVQ Level 2 Public Service
  • ILM Team Leading Award
  • BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Relief Operations Skills

Territorial Army

Training

The British Army Infantry TA training takes place at the Infantry Training Centre Catterick, exactly the same place as where your regular counterparts are trained. You will learn the same type of skills as the regular Army, however, your training is fitted into a 2 week window. You will continue to receive regular training at your unit once you have passed the initial 2 weeks. You will learn essential soldiering skills like how to survive in all environments, and how to maintain and use a variety of weapons and build stamina and fitness. After mastering the basics, you can specialise in advanced combat roles such as Sniper, Mortars or Combat Medic. You can also learn a trade and pick up qualifications. The skills you learn here will be lessons for the rest of your life. Territorial training is designed to fit around your day job.

Skills you can learn

You play a specialist role within your team – either machine gunner, sharpshooter, combat medic or rifleman. Mastering these skills is down to you. You also develop first-class communication skills. You learn how to combine all the combat roles in order to defeat the enemy, often in hostile or challenging environments.

Qualifications you can achieve

  • Variety of driving licences
  • ILM Team Leading Award
  • Public Services Apprenticeships in Security, Communications, Engineering, Carry and Deliver Goods, and Storage and Warehousing
  • BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Relief Operations Skills
  • NVQ Level 2 Public Service

Move up the ranks

  • Private

    At this level, you get a good rate of pay, free healthcare and subsidised food and board. You’re part of a team that’s required to deliver operational success, so you focus on using your skills. Each promotion brings extra pay and soon you can sit a course that qualifies you to promote up the ranks.

  • Lance Corporal

    Now you’ve been promoted, you get more responsibility. You take charge of a four-man fire team. It’s up to you to make sure they work as an effective unit and that everyone has the skills they need. You’re also the second-in-command of an eight-man unit called a section.

  • Corporal

    The next step is to go on a course to develop leadership skills so you can take charge of your own section. This is made up of two fire teams. With help from your Lance Corporal, you keep your section trained-up and ready for action, and deal with any training, operational and personnel issues.

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