Join as a Soldier
Most people join as soldiers between the ages of 16 and 36 as Senior Entry Soldiers.
People who want to do something different.
Full time Soldiers - work, live and socialise with their work mates. They are more than soldiers, they are also skilled tradespeople.
If you’re 16 or 17 you'll train first at AFC Harrogate as a Junior Soldier. You'll learn all the skills you need, from map reading to how to handle a weapon. Once you've finished the course at Harrogate, you'll be old enough, trained and ready to join your unit, as a soldier in the Regular Army.
All soldiers you can gain qualifications and apprenticeships during their time in the Army.
The chance to get qualifications was one of the main things that attracted me to Army life. If you're thinking about joining, I'd say just go for it - the Army is a fantastic career.
You can enter as Soldier from from the age of 18 years.
You’ll start your Army career with Basic Training at the Soldier Academy.
Here you will be exposed to the highest standards of military training, delivered by highly engaged and professional trainers whose aim is to unlock your potential, give direction the ambition to serve and embed the Army's core values and standards.
The training centre you go to will depend on the Corps that you’re joining.
All standard entry recruits train at the Soldier Academy. The course aims to build character, mental and physical resilience, basic military skills as well as instilling the Army’s core values and standards.
You can join the Army from 16 years old and will be a Junior Soldier until you can join as a regular Soldier at 18 years old.
If you join as a Junior Soldier you’ll start your Army Career at the Army Foundation College, Harrogate. Here you’ll learn about the Army and soldering skills, but also learn from civilians in subjects like ICT, Maths and English, if you need it.
Army Foundation College Open Day - Watch On-Demand
Watch our latest Junior Soldier virtual open day event On-demand now. Hear from the college staff, current Junior Soldiers and see the questions asked about life at the college.
Watch On-demand Now!
