Infantry soldiers are a key part of the British Army, responsible for defending the United Kingdom and its interests at home and abroad. Their main role is to engage in ground combat, often being the first to enter conflict zones and the last to leave. Infantry soldiers are trained in a variety of skills, including weapon handling, navigation, survival, and teamwork. The job can involve working in challenging environments, both in the UK and overseas, and requires strong physical fitness and resilience. Soldiers may also be involved in peacekeeping, humanitarian aid, and disaster relief missions. The role offers opportunities for travel, advancement, and gaining further qualifications through ongoing training.
The starting salary for a British Army infantry soldier is around £16,800 during basic training, rising to over £21,400 upon completion.
The British Army has approximately 25,000 full-time infantry soldiers as of 2024.
Applicants must be at least 16 years old, meet medical and fitness requirements, and typically need no formal qualifications to apply.
A soldier specially trained to parachute into operations, often working as part of airborne infantry units.
A non-commissioned officer who leads a team of infantry soldiers, responsible for their training, welfare, and tactical deployment.
A soldier who specialises in gathering intelligence by operating ahead of main forces, often in small teams and sometimes behind enemy lines.
Understand what an Infantry Soldier does and the demands of the job.
Explore the British Army website and speak to current or former soldiers to get a realistic sense of the daily life, responsibilities, and expectations. Consider if the physical and mental demands are right for you, as the role requires resilience and adaptability.
Ensure you meet the basic requirements for joining the Army.
You must be at least 16 years old to apply with parental consent, or 18 without. You need to be a British citizen, or a Commonwealth citizen with indefinite leave to remain. There are medical, fitness, and security requirements, so check these before applying.
Begin a fitness routine to prepare for the physical assessments.
The Army has minimum fitness standards, including running, press ups, and sit ups. Start training early to build stamina, strength, and endurance. Consider joining local sports clubs or following Army fitness guides online.
Apply online through the official British Army recruitment portal.
You will need to provide personal details, education history, and answer questions about your motivation. Take time to complete the application accurately and honestly.
Participate in an Army Assessment Centre day.
This includes physical fitness tests, medical examinations, interviews, and team exercises. Be prepared to demonstrate your motivation, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Bring all required documents and arrive on time.
Attend and complete the Army’s basic training course.
Basic training, also known as Phase 1 training, lasts around 14 weeks and covers physical fitness, weapon handling, fieldcraft, discipline, and teamwork. Successful completion is required to become an Infantry Soldier.
Undertake additional training and consider career progression.
After basic training, you will move to Infantry-specific training (Phase 2), where you develop advanced skills. As your career progresses, you can specialise in areas like communications, reconnaissance, or leadership, with opportunities for promotion.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Infantry Soldier. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
An Infantry Soldier's role directly aligns with the career of a Soldier, as both involve enlisting in the army, undergoing training, and performing combat and non-combat military duties. The primary difference lies in the specific role within the military hierarchy, but both careers share similar foundational qualifications and responsibilities.
You can get into this job through:
You can apply to join the army through an HM Forces Serviceperson Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.
You apply directly to the army to find the best apprenticeship route for you. This will depend on your qualifications and which service role you're interested in, for example, engineering, health or logistics.
You can join the Army Reserve to get experience of what life is like in the regular army. You'll also learn new skills at the same time.
You'll need to:
If you're between 12 and 18 years old, you can join the Army Cadet Force.
You can apply directly to join the army. You do not need any specific qualifications unless you're applying for a technical role like engineering or communications.
You'll also need to be:
If your application is accepted, you'll be invited to talk to someone at your local army careers centre about the opportunities available to you. You'll then attend a 2-day assessment, which includes medical and fitness tests.
You'll find more information about becoming a soldier from Army Careers.
Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.
Address
Developing Experts Limited
Exchange Street Buildings
35-37 Exchange Street
Norwich
NR2 1DP
UK
Phone
01603 273515
Email
[email protected]
Copyright 2025 Developing Experts, All rights reserved.
Unlock expert-designed lessons, resources, and assessments tailored for educators. No credit card required.
Claim Your Free Trial →
