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 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.
Join as part of the Armed Forces Foundation Scheme
The Armed Forces Foundation Scheme (AFFS) allows you to join the Army in a selection of soldier roles for 18 months, fully paid. You’ll complete the full training, gain real experience in a unit and find out what Army life is really like before deciding what you want to do next.
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.
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Army Foundation College Virtual Open Day -On demand
Watch our last Army Foundation College virtual open day on demand. Hear from the college staff as well as current Junior Soldiers, experience a college tour, and ask questions about life at the college.
Watch On Demand
