Employer profile: British Army, the land branch of the British Armed Forces

The British Army support peacekeeping and humanitarian operations around the world, but what is it like to work for them? In this guide, you’ll learn all about working for the British Army, what apprenticeship opportunities are available, and how to apply.

The British Army at a glance:

Sergeant Jamie Reeve tells us what it’s really like to work for the British Army.

What does the British Army do? 

The British Army is the land branch of the British Armed Forces. We’re responsible for lots of things like supporting peacekeeping and humanitarian operations around the world, training Soldiers and Officers, and working to maintain global and national security. 

We’re also one of the largest providers of apprenticeships in the country with over 14,000 people on one of our apprenticeship programmes at any one time. 

Where is the British Army based?

The British Army has bases and training facilities in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We also have overseas bases in places like Germany, Cyprus, Kenya, Brunei, and the Falkland Islands.

What are some of the most common entry-level roles in the British Army? 

Vehicle mechanic is a popular entry-level role that offers a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineer Maintenance after completing your basic training. Our vehicle mechanics provide engineering support to maintain and repair a range of vehicles, including tanks, quad bikes, HGVs, and Land Rovers.

One of our vehicle mechanics in the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers explained:

“I became a vehicle mechanic because I wanted to work on, and drive tanks. I basically wanted to do what I couldn’t do out on civvy street. My job role is to help the battalion in keeping their vehicles fit, so if they suddenly go - ‘we’ve got an exercise tomorrow and we need nine Warrior tanks and two Bulldog tanks’ - then we’ve got to make sure that they’re fit and ready to go out of the gate.”

Electronic warfare & signal intelligence is another popular entry-level role where you’ll complete a Level 3 Data Technician Apprenticeship after basic training. These soldiers provide cyber and signals intelligence on the battlefield by intercepting enemy communications and data transmissions. 

One of our electronic warfare operators from the Royal Signals explained:

“We use equipment that intercepts signals and we deploy in a six-man team for a minimum of 72 hours to find out what’s going on. This is our scoping time where we use infantry battalions and intelligence analysts to get more of an idea of where to put people, and where not to put people. We’re able to give the commander an idea of what’s going on in front of him / her which helps prevent ambushes from happening.”

How can someone join the British Army at entry-level?

There are two main ways of joining the British Army: either as a regular soldier or a regular officer (regular means full-time).

There are two options for joining as a regular soldier which depend on your age. 

• You can join as a junior soldier if you’re aged between 16 to 17 and a half, and then you’ll attend the British Army Foundation College in Harrogate.
• You can join as a regular soldier if you’re aged 18 or above, and then you’ll start your 14-week initial training at one of the other training establishments, depending on the job you choose.

If you’re aged between 16 to 17 and a half, you'll train as a junior soldier at the British Army Foundation College in Harrogate. Here you’ll learn all the skills you need, ranging from map-reading to how to handle a weapon. Once you’ve finished the course at Harrogate, you'll then move onto your trade training which is where you learn how to do your chosen job role.

People who start their career at the British Army Foundation College get extra time in training to build their military skills and literacy / numeracy skills. They’ll also have the opportunity to gain a Duke of Edinburgh Award and BTEC in Public Services. They tend to serve longer in the British Army and work their way up the ranks more easily. 

If you’re 18 or over, you’ll start your career with your 14-week initial training (phase 1 training) where you’ll transform from being a civilian to being a soldier. You'll be taught things like survival and fieldcraft skills, first aid, and how to use a rifle. The training centre you go to will depend on the corps that you’re joining. For example, if you’re looking to join the British Army Air Corps or the British Army Medical Services, you’ll complete your training at the British Army Training Centre (ATC) at Pirbright in Surrey.

Regular officer

Officers command, manage, and motivate teams of soldiers. After completing your 44-week training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, you'll be leading a group of soldiers.

During your officer training, you'll be taught business skills like team leadership, project management, and strategic management. Your training at the academy counts towards a BSc in Leadership and Strategic Studies, designed with Henley Business School and the University of Reading.

What kind of jobs can you do in the British Army?

In the British Army, you’re a soldier first, but there are also lots of great opportunities to learn a trade. We have 70+ roles in the British Army, which are available across seven different career streams. These are: 

• Combat
• Engineering
• Logistics and support
• Medical
• Intelligence, communications, and IT
• HR, finance, and support
• Music

After you’ve completed your initial training, you’ll then complete an apprenticeship as part of your initial trade training (phase 2 training) which prepares you for your role. This could be a Level 2, 3, or 4 apprenticeship. As your career progresses, you’ll gain further training and qualifications related to your specialism.

Beyond your initial and trade training, a typical day will look very different from one soldier to the next and it’s this variety that makes a career in the British Army so exciting!

What are the entry requirements for these roles? 

For some roles like infantry soldier, tank crew, or chef, you don’t need any formal qualifications. However, for other roles like cyber engineer or avionics technician, you’ll need to have entry-level qualifications specific to the role.

In general, if you have GCSEs in English, maths, and science at grade 4/C, you’ll be eligible for most roles.

To join as an officer, you’ll need to meet specific entry criteria. This includes obtaining 35 ALIS (British Army Learning and Individual Skill scale) points from seven GCSE subjects (or equivalent), with at least a grade of C/4 in English language, maths, and either science or a language. You’ll also need 72 UCAS points from three A levels or equivalent.

The British Army also offers bursary schemes for those who want to attend university whilst starting their career.

For more detailed information about entry requirements for specific roles and the British Army Learning and Individual Skill scale, please visit the British Army website.

What skills does the British Army look for in applicants?

The British Army looks for a wide range of skills and this depends on the role that you’re applying for. 

But there are some general skills that are valued across all roles. These are:

• Leadership: the British Army looks for people who can lead and inspire others, communicate effectively, and make sound decisions under pressure.
• Teamwork: the ability to work well in a team and collaborate effectively with others is critical in the British Army, as many roles involve working in close-knit units.
• Problem-solving: the British Army needs individuals who can think critically, analyse complex situations, and find solutions to challenges.
• Physical fitness: having good physical fitness is essential in many British Army roles, as they can be physically demanding and require individuals to operate in challenging environments. However, you don’t need to be a professional athlete, and the British Army will help to get you in shape.
• Resilience: the British Army values people who can demonstrate mental and emotional resilience, and who can adapt and remain focused in challenging situations.

What is some advice that you’d give an entry-level applicant to succeed at getting into the British Army?

The application process can last a long time, as you have to complete an online application, and take part in a selection process that includes a medical, fitness tests, team tasks, and interview. This could be up to six months to join as a Soldier, and up to 12 months to join as an Officer. This is due to the amount of applications we have, and the number of intakes per year.

It’s a good idea to use this time to work on improving your general fitness levels in preparation for the assessment. The fitness requirements for each job role can be found on the British Army jobs website.

Think about what you’re interested in, and what you want to get out of your time in the British Army to help choose the right pathway for you. 

Specialising in different roles in the British Army can be really competitive, so think of three possible roles that you’d enjoy, so that you have a plan b and c.

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