As an infantry soldier, you will initially train as a Combat Infantryman and join a rifle platoon. Once you have developed the fundamental soldiering skills that will become the bedrock of your career, you will be given the opportunity to move into employment elsewhere in the battalion based on your entry stream and aptitude.
Those who show early command potential will be given the option to remain in the Rifle Companies with a view to promotion into Section Second-in-Command appointments, or move into subsequent employments and develop their leadership skills.

Soldiering takes many forms, and the range of different weapon systems and roles means the infantry soldier will have to be more versatile and adaptable than any other soldier.

The variety of roles on offer as subsequent employment include the following:

Anti-Tank Missile Operator

The Infantry’s tank-busters. Every battalion has an anti-tank platoon which is responsible for defeating enemy tanks. This is a specialist role with training in operating state-of-the-art anti-tank missile technology.

Assault Pioneers

The Assault Pioneers are the Infantry’s own battlefield engineers. They receive extra training in the creation of obstacles, such as minefields and barbed-wire entanglements, and the destruction of enemy obstacles and other demolition tasks. They are responsible for ensuring the purification of water supplies and can gain qualifications in carpentry and joinery.

Driver

The Infantry has to be in the right place at the right time with the right equipment and supplies to do the job. The Driver transports men and their equipment in anything from a Land Rover to a Saxon or a Warrior vehicle.

Infantry Signaller

The generation, communication and analysis of information is the key to a successful operation. The importance of the Infantry being able to use and understand digital technology is critical. The Signal Platoon ensures that orders and essential battlefield information are passed to the right people without getting into enemy hands. These soldiers handle some of the most sophisticated equipment in the Army, and employment as a Signaller in the Infantry can lead to training as a Digital Systems Manager or IT Specialist.

Infantry IT Specialist

As the Infantry moves forward with the new BOWMAN communications technology there will be increasing opportunities within the specialist Signals Platoon to gain vocational qualifications in communications and systems management. Specialist system managers and application specialists will play a vital part in maintaining the local area network (LAN) that will give commanders at all levels an up to date tactical picture of the battlefield as well as secure communications.

Mortarman

The Mortar Platoon provides the Infantry with its own mini-artillery capability. Specially trained Mortar Fire controllers identify enemy positions and the Mortar Platoon engages the target. Smoke and illuminating ammunition are an essential part of the Infantry’s make-up for keeping the enemy at bay to allow attack or to cover troops.

Drummer/Piper/Bugler/GPMG SF

After completing the Combat Infantryman’s Course, soldiers can select to be drummers, pipers or buglers depending on their Division. Infantry Musicians are first and foremost Infantry soldiers, but play a vital role in maintaining regimental traditions. Individuals are trained to play a drum, fife, bugle or bagpipes. These soldiers also form the GPMG Sustained Fire (SF) Platoon armed with the 7.62 mm General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) and are a vital part in the Battalions integral fire support.

Recce Soldier

The Recce Platoon is the eyes and ears of the battalion, providing critical information on the enemy and terrain. The Recce Platoon often works ahead of the rest of the troops, gathering information, identifying enemy locations and calling for firepower.