Job Description

"I CHOSE TO BE A GUARDSMAN BECAUSE I WANTED TO GO ON OPERATIONS. I DEPLOY TO AFGHANISTAN NEXT YEAR."

They might be famous for standing guard outside Buckingham Palace in their red tunics, but British Army guardsmen are also fully trained combat soldiers who deploy on operations abroad. Join them and you'll take part in everything from peacekeeping and disaster relief to armed conflict. You'll also take part in some of Britain's most high-profile public events, like Trooping the Colour.

Entry Requirements

Ages: 16 years - 35 years 6 months. 

Qualifications: No formal qualifications needed

Fitness: Mid Thigh Pull 76kg, Medicine Ball Throw 3.1m, 2km run 10m 15s

More information about the fitness test

Training for the Role

Step 1
You will be called forward for the 30 week Combat Infantry Course at Catterick. Guards Company instructors will coach you through progressive training in physical fitness, firing weapons, navigation, tactics, survival and driving. If you are 16-17 years and 5 months old, you start at the Army Foundation College Harrogate first, then train at Catterick.

Step 2
On completion of your initial training in the Guards Company at Catterick, you will move to your Guards battalion. Guards battalions conduct training in UK and in Kenya, Canada and Belize routinely. More concentrated periods of mission specific training prepare Guards battalions for operations abroad.

How to Apply

Once your online application has been approved, you'll meet with a local recruiter. This is your chance to tell us about the role that you're interested in. When you go to the Assessment Centre, you'll take tests - the results will show whether you'd be suitable for this role, or should consider a different role.

Qualifications you could get after training.

• Infantry Soldier Combat Skills
• Level 2 Safe Use of Weapons qualification
• Advanced Apprenticeship in Logistics Operations
• HM Forces Apprenticeship (Public Services)
• Institute of Leadership and Management Team Leading
• Adventurous Training Qualifications

Learn about rank progression here.

Although this job role does not require formal qualifications, we highly recommend that you try to achieve at least a grade 4 (C) in English & Maths. Achieving this minimum grade in these subject will increase opportunities in the future and help with your career development and prospects.

If you don't achieve the minimum grades, you will be supported to continue to study English and Maths throughout your full-time education or an apprenticeship.

Required Skills

• confident 
• sociable 
• responsible  
• a good team player
• patient 
• enjoy travelling

Salary Range

£15,671 to £20,000