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

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.
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

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
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.