The 'life blood' of the career structure is promotion, which provides the means to man appointments and is used as the primary, but not only, reward mechanism. With promotion comes an increase in responsibility, status and pay.

Soldier recruits are enlisted on the Versatile Engagement (VEng). They must normally serve for a minimum of 4 years or 4 years and 3 months reckonable service dependent on age at enlistment) including basic military training and subsequent specialist training.

Promotion on an Army-wide average is about once every 3 years but there are variations dependent upon cap badge and specialisation/CEG.

There are 3 paths into a career as an Army Officer - Direct Entry, Late Entry and Professionally Qualified. All 3 have different terms of service, regulated by commission types and promotion rules.