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At a glance

  • Featured
  • Soldier
  • combat
  • music

Protecting the nation and preventing conflict, the Foot Guards in the Infantry are among the most active soldiers in the Army, with an incredibly varied, exciting role.

  • £16,844The minimum amount you’ll earn during training
  • £21,425Your pay after completing basic trade training
  • AgeFrom 16 years & 0 months to 35 years & 6 months
  • QualificationsNo formal qualifications needed

"I CHOSE TO BE A GUARDSMAN BECAUSE I WANTED TO GO ON OPERATIONS."

Highly skilled. Extremely fit. Always ready for the next challenge. The Foot Guards of the Army’s Infantry are respected throughout the world. From disaster relief to protecting the nation, nothing compares to life in the Infantry for our close-combat professionals. In the Foot Guards you’ll be at the heart of the action, working to keep vulnerable communities safe and prevent conflict, doing something that really matters. You'll also take part in some of Britain's most high-profile public events, such as Trooping the Colour in London.

No matter what you’re doing or where you are in the world, you’ll work and train alongside other highly skilled Guardsmen. They’re there to help you through whatever life throws at you, on operations, on exercise or on the sports field. It’s belonging like nothing else; and they’ll become friends for life. With the chance to gain qualifications, you will learn and move up the ranks too.

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Key Responsibilities

  • Become a highly trained frontline Infantry soldier

  • Specialise in reconnaissance

  • Operate mortars, machine guns and anti-tank missile systems

  • Train as a junior non-commissioned officer and lead Guardsmen

  • Serve with the Guards Parachute Platoon as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade

  • Take part in state ceremonial events

Have any questions? Talk with us

Guard

Regular (full time)

Entry requirements

  • Age:

    From 16 years & 0 months to 35 years & 6 months years

  • Qualifications:

    No formal qualifications needed

  • Basic physical fitness assessment:

    • Mid Thigh Pull 76kg

    • Medicine Ball Throw 3.1m

    • MSFT (beep test) level 8.7

    More information about the fitness test

Training for the role

Step 1
You start with a Combat Infantry Course (30 weeks) at The Infantry Training Centre Catterick. Here, you do your Basic Training and then your Infantry Initial Trade Training. Your instructors will coach you through progressive training where you will learn essential skills such as firing weapons, survival, first aid and map reading while building stamina and fitness.

If you’re aged under 17 years and 6 months, you’ll do your Basic Training at the Army Foundation College Harrogate for 49 weeks. You’ll then go to Catterick to complete your Infantry Initial Trade Training over 12 weeks.

Step 2
On completion of your Initial Trade Training, you will move to your Foot Guards Battalion. Battalions routinely conduct training in the UK, Europe, Kenya and Belize. More concentrated periods of mission-specific training prepare Foot Guards battalions for operations abroad and State Ceremonial duties.

Qualifications you could get after training

  • Vocational Driving Licences

  • HM Forces Serviceperson (Protective Services) Apprenticeship

  • Leadership and Management qualifications to degree level

  • Assessor qualifications

  • Coaching and mentoring

  • Adventure Training Qualifications (Canoeing, Mountain Biking, Skiing, Mountain Climbing, Summer Mountain Training).

Pay & benefits

Earn £16,844 during Basic and Initial Trade training at the Infantry Training Centre. When you have completed 26 week’s service or finished Initial Trade Training – whichever comes first, your pay will rise to £21,425.

There are significant benefits including subsidised meals and low cost accommodation, as well as free medical and dental care. In addition, when deployed on exercise or on operations, normally you would not pay for either food or accommodation.

How to Apply

Once your online application has been approved, you'll meet with a local recruiter. This is your chance to tell us about the role that you're interested in. When you go to the Assessment Centre, you'll take tests - the results will show whether you'd be suitable for this role, or should consider a different role.

More about the joining process

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