Army Officer

You could get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly to the Army

University Course

You can do a degree course before you apply for officer training although it’s not essential.

You’ll usually need 2 to 3 A levels to get on a degree course.

College Course

You could work towards this role by doing a relevant subject like Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Public Services.  This would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this career.

You’ll usually need 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3  for a level 2 course and 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 for a level 3 course.

Apprenticeship

You can work towards this role by starting with an intermediate apprenticeship as a HM Forces Serviceperson.

You’ll need to apply directly to the army to find the best apprenticeship route for you.

To do this apprenticeship, you’ll need some GCSEs, usually including English and Maths, for an intermediate apprenticeship.

Direct Application

To apply directly for Army Officer training you will need to:

• be between 17 years 9 months and 28 years and 11 months
• get a GP’s medical report

You’ll also usually need a minimum of GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 or equivalent, including English, maths, science or a foreign language.  You will also need  2 A levels or equivalent

You’ll be invited to talk to someone at your local Army Careers Centre about what you want to do.  You’ll then attend an assessment, which includes medical and fitness tests.

Whichever route you take into joining the Army it be be helpful to gain experience by volunteering.  You can join the Army Reserve as a part-time officer to get some experience of what life is like in the regular army and to learn new skills at the same time.

You’ll need to:

• be between 18 and 49
• commit to at least 19 or 27 days a year, depending on your unit
• attend a 2-week training camp each year

Skills and Knowledge

You will need the following:

• leadership skills to manage and motivate soldiers
• excellent verbal communication skills
• thinking and reasoning skills for making quick decisions
• persistence and determination
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• concentration skills and fast reactions
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to work well with others in a team
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements