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What sort of opportunities are available in the Army?
There are Regular Army - full time and Territorial Army (TA) - part time opportunities. Similarly you could join as a soldier or an Officer. One thing is for certain, there are promotion and career advancement opportunities for everyone.
Jobs in the Army are split into 7 career employment groups:
- Engineering
- Combat
- Logistics and support
- Intelligence, IT and Communications
- HR and Finance
- Medical
- Music and ceremonial
What are the rates of pay and allowances if I were to join as a soldier?
On a monthly basis you will receive about £750, paid after tax, National Insurance, accommodation and food charges. This equates to a salary of about £13,300. This rises on promotion to for instance about £46,700 for a Warrant Officer Class 1.
All regular soldiers receive a non-contributory pension, and there are other allowances payable for both single and married soldiers. There's a generous leave allowance of up to 30 day per annum - in addition to weekends and bank holidays. There are regular health and fitness checks for all those serving - with medical and dental care being provided free of charge.
Regular Officers enter training at about £15,000 (non graduates) or about £24,600 (graduates). This rises to, for instance over £100,000 for the rank of Brigadier.
As a member of the TA, you are entitled to the same base pay as your Regular counterparts, according to rank. Pay starts at about £34 a day. You are also entitled to reimbursement of travel expenses to / from the TA centre. In addition a tax free annual bounty is payable of up to £1,600.
What are the age ranges to join the Regular Army and the Territorial Army?
|
Regular Army |
Territorial Army (TA) |
Soldier |
16 - 33 |
17 - 43 |
Officer |
17 years 9 months - 28 |
17 - 33 |
- Parental consent is required for anyone wishing to join > the age of 18.
- There are higher age limits for those joining as professionally qualified or specialist entrants.
- Ex-Regular Army Soldiers may enlist into the TA up to the age of 52.
How long do I have to join for?
Those joining under the age of 18, the contract last until the day before your 22 nd Birthday. For those over 18 the contract term is 4 years and 3 months. If you'd like to serve longer, then you can do up to a maximum of 22 years.
What educational qualifications are required to join the Regular Army and the Territorial Army?
|
Regular Army |
Territorial Army (TA) |
Soldier |
No specific requirements - apart from for technical trades |
No specific requirements - apart from for technical trades |
Officer |
A minimum of 35 ALIS points for the best subjects at GCSE or equivalent |
A minimum of 35 ALIS points for the best subjects at GCSE or equivalent |
What specific medical and physical requirements are relevant to joining the Regular Army and the Territorial Army?
All potential recruits (soldier and Officer) will be required to pass an Army medical; and a GP questionnaire will be required to be provided.
Should I join the Regular Army or the Territorial Army?
The Regular Army and Territorial Army work together today on operations at home and abroad. Training, equipment and equivalent rates of pay are the same. The TA is made up of civilians who fulfil a minimum requirement of training and serve during evening and weekends. It is perfectly possible to serve in the TA and hold down a civilian job / career / family / sports interests etc.
What sort of grants are available?
For those thing about going to University there are Army Undergraduate Bursaries available. This form of financial sponsorship are available to some 250 undergraduates annually. There is an annual payment of £1,000 paid whilst you are at University, followed by a lump sum of £3,000 on Commissioning from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. For this you will need to serve a minimum of three years as an Officer in the British Army.
What is selection like?
There are a number of tests that you'll need to sit:
- BARB - this is the British Army Recruit Battery Test. This is designed to help you to choose which career employment group is best for you. The sections are: reasoning, letter checking, number distance, odd one out and symbol rotation.
- Maths / numeracy test. This tests your ability with numbers and there is a minimum pass mark.
- English / literacy test. Designed to find out the level of your reading and writing. Again, there is a minimum pass mark.
Additionally you'll need to complete a 1.5 mile run, press up, heaves and a jerry can carry.
What's the training like?
Training really depends on which career employment group you choose. For the infantry they will go to the Infantry Training Centre at Catterick to complete the Combat Infantryman's Course (24 weeks). You don't have to be mega fit to start with, but you should have exercised regularly - and don't forget the upper body strength.
What sports opportunities are there?
There are so many sporting opportunities for those joining the Army - either team sports, or individual ones. There are also adventure training opportunities, including mountaineering, climbing, orienteering and so on.