Do mechanised infantry regiment recruits, get extra training as opposed to light infantry recruits?

Hi there,

Thank you for your question. Whilst I am not an infanteer, having been attached to many infantry units and been in the Army a number of years I’m content I know the difference between light infantry and mechanised and can therefore answer your question.

No infantry unit, regardless of speciality trains more or less than others. They are all required to be the masters of their trade and therefore spend time perfecting this through their training. What you will find is that different units (specialised, airborne, light, light mechanised, mechanised, or armoured) are required to do different training as their tactics will differ.

All infantry soldiers will start with a Combat Infantry Course at The Infantry Training Centre Catterick (ITC(C)). This is a 28 week course where they compete their basic training and Infantry training (Phase 1 & 2). They learn essential skills such as survival, first aid and map reading while building stamina and fitness. Following this, when selected for their units, they will compete any additional required courses such as driver and maintainer courses.

Remember that the vehicles infanteers use are to deliver them up close to the enemy, they will then dismount to fight through a position so they must all be skilled combatants.

Mounted units will also inevitably spend more time on vehicle maintenance, but all units, even dismounted ones have vehicles which support them so this is an important part of any unit. Dismounted units will tend to spend more time on physical training to ensure they are fit enough to cover large distances with heavy loads.

Good luck making your decision and finding the correct Regiment for you.

Katie

Thanks for your question

The welsh guards have been both and are currently light role.

Infantry training in ITC Catterick is 28 weeks and the curriculum and training is exactly the same. The standards of teaching will vary.

When you pass out and get to your unit, that’s when you will then do extra training with regards to your role.

For example, a mechanised infantry unit may include more vehicle movement as apposed to lightrole doing a lot more on foot.

Hope this answers your question

J