Tell me about it
This article gives a brief overview only, as there are some 150 different jobs available in the army, ranging from soldiering as an infantryman to working as a craftsman/woman or a skilled technician.

The key unifying factor is that all soldiers are primarily trained for combat, and your daily duties and the operations and exercises in which you take part would all reflect this. You must maintain a high level of combat skills, an awareness of tactics, fieldcraft and map reading, and be able to use an increasingly sophisticated range of weapons and equipment. In addition to maintaining your combat skills, you would also specialise in a particular trade or skill.

In common with all new soldiers, you would go through a period of basic training in military skills, followed by specialist training in one of a wide range of jobs. Nearly all jobs are open to male and female soldiers, but women cannot currently serve in the Household Cavalry, Royal Armoured Corps or the Infantry.

Entry level
Your starting point is that you must pass the Army Entrance Test and an interview. These are normally held at an Armed Forces Careers Office. You would then go to a Recruit Selection Centre for a physical assessment, medical examination and interview with an army personnel selection officer.

For most jobs, no particular academic qualifications are needed, and in general personal qualities and good motivation are more important than exam passes. However, a combination of positive examination grades and a good school report can considerably improve your chances of being selected.

To start as an apprentice in a technical trade, you would need GCSE/S grade A-C/1-3 (or equivalent) in maths and English, and in some cases one or more other subjects. Candidates for the Corps of Army Music take a two-day audition.

The minimum age to join (except for apprentices, Army Development Courses and Army Foundation College (AFC) students) is 17 years. Apprentices must be between 16 and 17 and a half when they start; AFC and Army Development Course places are for people aged 16 to 17 years 1 month.

All entrants must meet the army's nationality and residence requirements. If you are not successful at your first attempt, you will be told why and if you can apply again.

Making the grade
Regardless of which corps or regiment you are to join, you would begin with 11 weeks' basic military training at an Army Training Regiment, learning the skills of basic soldiering. The training is designed to develop self-discipline, teamwork and fitness.
At the end of this training, you should achieve NVQ/SVQ Level 1 in Public Services. The course ends with a passing-out parade. You would then leave the Army Training Regiment and join your Arm or Service for training in your chosen job.

If you join as an apprentice, you would complete a 28-week course at the Army Technical Foundation College, before moving on to one of five national training centres to train in your specific trade. This is followed by on-the-job experience in an operational unit, combined with further training at the appropriate national training centre. By the end of your apprenticeship, you should have at least NVQ Level 3 in your trade.

If you want to join the Infantry, Royal Armoured Corps or Royal Artillery, you can complete a one-year course at the AFC in Harrogate. This is designed to develop basic military skills, physical fitness, teamwork, self-discipline and leadership through challenging activities.

Personal qualities
As a soldier, you must be able to work as part of a team, living and working closely with other people. You will have to follow orders much of the time but you must also be capable of using your initiative to make decisions and react quickly while remaining calm under pressure. You must be willing to accept responsibility and able to supervise others.

You must have good practical and technical skills, together with a high level of physical fitness. Whatever regiment or corps you join, you must be prepared to work in combat.

Each specialism then has its own particular requirements. You would need, for example, good diagnostic and problem-solving skills to work as a technician; on the other hand, a methodical approach to paperwork would be essential if you train as a military clerk.

Looking ahead
There is a planned promotional structure for soldiers who do well in training and exercises. Starting as a private, you can rise to Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) status as a lance corporal, corporal, sergeant, staff sergeant or colour sergeant, warrant officer class II and warrant officer class I. In some trades, you may be promoted as soon as you qualify.

As a senior NCO (sergeant and above), you may be considered for an officer commission.

The army has a constant need for new recruits.

Alternative suggestions
You may wish to consider opportunities in the other armed services - the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force - or in uniformed emergency services such as the police or fire service. If your main aim is to qualify in a particular craft or trade, you may prefer to explore training routes in a non-military environment. With the right starting qualifications, you could also consider officer-level entry to the armed services.

Take-home pay
Your earnings would depend on your age, qualifications and rank. New entrants under 17 start on around £9,000 a year, those aged 17 and over on £10,800. Promotion to lance corporal would move you to a scale starting at £17,500, while you could earn over £30,000as a warrant officer class 1. Rates of pay are the same for men and women.

You would receive additional pay in certain circumstances, such as serving overseas or having to live away from your family. Charges are made for accommodation and, where appropriate, for meals.

You would be entitled to four weeks' annual holiday, rising to six weeks' when serving overseas.

Effects
You must be prepared to work anywhere in the world, possibly in extremes of climate. Your work may require you to move at short notice and to be separated from your family for long periods of time.

Your working hours could vary considerably. In barracks, for example, you would normally work office hours over a five-day week, although you would be on call at all times and your hours may include shifts with early starts or late finishes, together with some work over weekends and public holidays. During exercises and operations, your hours could be long and unpredictable.

All recruits are enlisted on an open engagement for 22 years' service from the age of 18 or the date of entry, whichever is later, although you would have the right to leave after four years' service from this date. Pregnant women can choose to resign or take maternity leave.

As a new recruit, you would have the opportunity to leave after 28 days' service if you discover that you have made the wrong career choice. This right continues for up to six months if you are under 18, or three months if you are over 18.

Sources of information
Army: www.army.mod.uk

CRCI: U