- physical fitness and endurance
- concentration skills and fast reactions
- active listening skills and the ability to follow instructions quickly
- the ability to work well with others in a team
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- thinking and reasoning skills and the confidence to act quickly
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of public safety and security
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Your day-to-day duties will depend on your job. Roles you might work in include:
- combat - as an infantry soldier or aviation crewman
- engineering - as an aircraft technician or vehicle mechanic
- HR, finance and support - as an HR specialist or military police soldier
- intelligence, communications and IT - as a military intelligence operator or communication systems engineer
- medical - as a healthcare professional or veterinary technician
- logistics and support - as a chef or logistics supply specialist
- music and ceremonial - as a musician or ceremonial gunner
You may need to wear protective clothing and a uniform.
You could work be based overseas, in a warzone or at a military base.
Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding and outdoors in all weathers.
When you join the army, you sign up for 4 years. You can leave at any time after this as long as you give 12 months' notice. If you want to stay you can extend your 4-year contract.
With training and experience you could move up through the ranks or into a specialist unit like the commandos. You could also gain a commission to become an officer which would give you a higher salary.
You could move into a wide range of careers after leaving the army. The Career Transition Partnership, Quest and Troops to Teachers have more information on careers outside the armed forces.
You'll find more information about careers in the army through Army Careers.
