What is the phase one basic training like ?

Hi Ryan, thanks for your question.

Basic training covers your training to become a soldier in the British Army. Everyone in the army completes their own basic training upon joining the army.

In basic training you will begin at a base standard in terms of your fitness and knowledge of the army. From here, you will be trained by professional soldiers with a wealth of experience in a number of subjects. Such as physical training, fieldcraft (learning to administrate and look after yourself and your team in the field), drill (parades/marching, all that good stuff, skill at arms (learning to safely and effectively use the weapons we use in the British army), military knowledge (military law, law of armed conflict etc) and so much more!

Gone are the days of pointless shouting at new recruits, it's all now about training and helping our soldiers to be better people and to do their job effectively and efficiently.

Half way through your training if you join as a senior entry (17yrs 5months and above) you will have an opportunity for a families day on the Thursday where your family/partners will be invited to come and see what you've been getting up to. Following this you will then be able to go home with them for the rest of the weekend, returning Sunday evening to complete the 2nd half of your training.

You'll have ample opportunities in basic training to better yourself in a physical, mental and academic way, and this will only continue throughout your career for however long you decide to stay in. So it really does set the standard for what you should expect from moving forwards.

Finally, the pass out parade you complete at the end of your training gives you an incredible sense of pride. One where your family and friends are invited to see you, to see how far you've come and to see the fully qualified British Army soldier you will have become.

If you have any more questions feel free to ask, or get in contact with your local Army Careers Centre for more.

Best of luck for what the future holds!