Meet the army
a guide for parents,
partners and friends
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Joining the Army
is a big decision
This guide tells you more about Army life. If someone you
know is thinking about joining, whether they’re your son or
daughter, husband or wife, partner or just a friend, the aim is
to show you what’s involved and what to expect.
The jobs on offer can be very different from those in civilian
life. They come with a unique set of challenges as well as some
great rewards. Soldiers can find themselves taking part in
operations overseas, but they can also learn a trade, master
new skills, find a place to live and make new friends.
All of the people you’ll meet in these pages are just like your
son or daughter, partner or friend. It’s your chance to find out
more about them and the role the Army plays in their lives.
You’re sure to have questions and concerns. Take a look and
find out if this guide helps to answer them. If not, you’re
welcome at your local Army Careers Centre to meet a Careers
Adviser for a chat. Alternatively, visit army.mod.uk/family.
We look forward to seeing you.
contents
Family 4-9
Pride 22-27
Training 10-15
Benefits 28-31
6Meet the Army family
8 Support for your loved ones
12 Basic military training
14 Learning a trade
Work 16-21
2
18 Daily life in the Army
20What it’s like on operations
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24 Meet the proud parents
26Values and standards
30Getting more from Army life
Next steps 31
31How to find out more
20
“We all work
together as part
of a close team”
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18
6
14
8
24
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3
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Family
The Army works like a family – every member is valued and has
a part to play. It’s also ideal for anyone planning for the future
inside this section
6 Experience what it’s like to be part of the Army family
8 Meet the soldiers who are experiencing all the benefits of family life in the Army
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Meet THe
army family
She might be 4000 miles from home, but this Army instructor knows
there’s no shortage of friends to give her support when she needs it
Lance Corporal Edwina Koff
Combat engineer
I work at the Army Technical Foundation
College in Winchester. It is my job to train
young soldiers and help them to feel at
home in the Army family. It’s something
that is very important to me.
The Army is the family you have when your
real family aren’t there. You work closely with
each other, so over a period of time you get to
know people very well. They know you inside
out and they’re always there for you. That’s a
brilliant feeling you just don’t get as a civilian.
It helps a lot that the Army has spent a lot of
money improving its acc0mmodation. Now the
chances are that you will live somewhere that
lets you have your own room and even has its
own bathroom. You can make it feel like home
and close the door when you want some privacy.
I come from South Africa, so I’m a long way
from home. That helps me to understand how
6
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FAMily
From an ensuite
bathroom to internet
access, Army living
space is ideal
some of the young soldiers here feel. As their
instructor, I have to develop them as soldiers as
well as being a sort of older sister. I get to know
them very well, and people I’ve trained in the
past still write to me, so I guess that I must be
doing something right.
Like all families, the Army is home to many
different types of people. As a soldier, it’s really
important that I show the people I train that you
can be who you want to be. If you want to be the
best sprinter, or be the very best at repairing
some of our communications kit, you’re in the
right place. This is your second family, and it
wants you to be the best you can be. n
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Supporting the army family
There are plenty of options available for soldiers who need extra help or advice
“The Army is the
family you have
when Your real
family Aren’t there”
talk to
someone
unit Welfare
Officers
Army Welfare
Service
Family
aws visits
Soldiers can talk
through most
problems with
their mates. If it’s
a more serious
issue or they need
expert advice,
they can talk to
senior soldiers
(NCOs) or to the
officer in charge
of the unit. Most
problems can be
easily solved in
this way.
Every unit will
have its own Unit
Welfare Officer,
whose job is to
help soldiers with
any problems
they have, from
relationship
difficulties to
serious debt.
Everyone in the
Regular Army
also has access
to the Army
Welfare Service.
The Army Welfare
Service (AWS)
gives soldiers
help in their daily
lives. It advises on
practical things,
like childcare, as
well as personal
matters and
those related to
race or sexuality.
Remember that
discrimination is
not tolerated in
the Army.
There are Army
Welfare Service
teams on most
Army bases and
soldiers are
encouraged to
call in and see
them. A member
of the AWS team
can also arrange
to see a soldier
and his/her
family in their
home if this is
more convenient.
7
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family life
in the army
The Army works like a family. With affordable accommodation and a
range of other benefits, it’s also a great place for people with children
Darren and Sam O’Neill met while they were
both based in Germany. Today, they’re living in
married accommodation at Alexander Barracks
in Surrey, where Darren helps to train young
soldiers. Samantha is on maternity leave, after
which she’ll go back to the Royal Logistic Corps.
How does the Army support families?
D: They make housing available when you get
married and there are always people to give you
help and advice, like the Unit Welfare Officer.
S: And that support is there for everyone who is
part of an Army family, husband or wife. It’s one
of the advantages over being a civilian.
So you get plenty of support?
D: Yes, and that’s good for the children. There
are Army Community Centres and even a
nursery on the camp, which is really useful.
S: We’re part of an Army community as well,
and that’s nice because we all get together. It’s a
bit like being part of a big family. Each unit has
a family day, when everyone meets up, and we’ll
never be short of people we can ask to babysit.
means repainting it again. If you’re staying in
one place for six or seven years, it makes sense
to decorate. If you’re there for a few years, it’s
not worth it.
What’s married life like in the Army?
Sam: It can make things easier, because you
each understand the pressures you’re under. You
also recognise that there are times when the
other person will have to be away from home.
Darren: That said, we do know a lot of couples
where there’s a soldier married to a civilian.
“We pay less
than a third of
THE RENT we’d
expect to pay
as civilians”
Did the Army provide you with a house?
D: This house was ready for us by the time we’d
got married and I took up this posting. The size
of your family and your rank govern the size of
the house that you get. We’ve been lucky
enough to get a garage, so I’ve even got a place
to keep my motorbike and loads of other stuff
that came with us when we moved house.
8
Can you decorate it?
S: You can, but the golden rule is that you have
to put it back just how you found it, so that
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FAMily
How do you pay rent?
D: It comes out of your wages at the end of each
month, whether you’re in single or married
accommodation. It’s good because you don’t
really notice it.
S: The rent is a lot less than we’d pay in civilian
life – we pay less than a third of what we could
expect to pay for a civilian flat. It’s much less of
a financial burden when you’re starting a family.
Could you buy a civilian house if you wanted?
D: That’s part of our plan. You get something
called LSAP, which is short for Long Service
Advance of Pay, and that gives you a loan of
about £8000 that goes towards your deposit.
It’s a great way to get on the property ladder.
What happens when you have to go on operations?
D: We wouldn’t really be expected to deploy at
the same time because of the family, but if one
of us had to go we’d pay a full-time childminder
to help out.
S: It will be weird when it happens, because it’ll
mean I am away from the children, but it’s just a
part of the job.
What does the future hold for you?
D: We’re really happy where we are. We’re in
a good place and the cheap accommodation
means we can treat the kids that little bit more.
S: When we had our second child I was thinking
about leaving, but the Army gives us so much
stability. We’ve got good jobs and a place to live,
and can provide for our family. Those are things
that would be important for any parent. n
providing practical support to soldiers’ families
The Army knows that the best way to provide support to its soldiers is to help them support their families
meet the unit
welfare officer
It’s the job of the Unit
Welfare Officer to help
soldiers and families
with problems. These
can be practical things
like housing concerns or
personal worries like
relationship problems
or money matters.
personal support
Welfare service
HIVES
operations
One of the advantages of
being in the Army is that
there’s always someone to
talk to – not only for
soldiers, but also for their
families too. You’ll soon
find yourself belonging to
a real community of Army
wives, husbands, partners
and friends.
The Army Welfare Service,
or AWS for short (see
page 7), provides a lot of
support for families. That
includes community
centres and youth clubs
as well as pre-school
groups, nurseries and
learning centres for busy
mums and dads.
Each branch of the AWS
provides information
centres that are called
HIVES. They help Army
communities by providing
information on things
like facilities in the
surrounding area, places
to go and things for
families to do.
When a soldier goes
on operations, the Army
will keep their family up
to date with all the latest
news and give practical
as well as emotional
support. You can read
more about what life is
like on an operational
tour on page 20.
9
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Training
Army training builds up the military skills that recruits need to be soldiers, but
it also gives them a wide range of trade skills and recognised qualifications
inside this section
12 Meet one of the Army’s newest recruits as she completes her basic training
14 Trade training gives soldiers all the practical skills they need for Army life and beyond
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“The people really
keep you going.
It’s like being with
your sisters”
phase 1 training timelineWhat they’ll experience during the 14 weeks of basic training
12
»
Induction week gets
under way. Recruits get
kit and uniform, have a
haircut and their
medical. Exercise
Icebreaker
gives them
their chance
to sleep in
the open.
MEET THE ARMY.indb 4
Week 2
Physical training (PT):
gym, swimming,
running. Recruits get
their first taste of
weapon handling,
drill, how to
read a map
and survival
training.
»
Week 3
»
More military skills
tuition. This includes
extra fieldcraft skills,
such as learning how to
build a camp, how to
get comfortable
when living outside,
and camouflage and
concealment
techniques.
Week 4
Counter Improvised
Explosive Device
(C-IED) training
and more
fitness. There
is a swimming
test and the
first live
firing of the
assault rifle.
»
Week 5
»
Now soldiers-undertraining begin learning
about the importance
of teamwork. They also
take part in Exercise
First Night, which
involves sleeping
outside for two
nights and basic
military skills.
»
More team-building
exercises and learning
basic skills. Recruits
prepare for the
major inspection
which will take
place at
the end of
Week 7.
Week 7
»
Inspection on the drill
square. Soldiers-undertraining who pass can
wear the cap badge
of their regiment.
Visits to where Phase
2 training will tale
place , followed by
a family day and a
long weekend off.
Weekend leave
Week 1
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Ways to serve
When someone joins
the Army full-time, they’re
called a Regular. People that
join the Army part time are
Reservists. One of the main
differences between them is
how they train.
From fitness to weapons training, Olivia McKenna
has spent 14 weeks perfecting her soldiering skills
phase 1 and 2
For most Regular soldiers,
training is split into two
parts. Phase 1 teaches basic
military skills; this takes 14
weeks. Phase 2 teaches
them the skills they need to
do their chosen job. The
length of this depends on
the role.
Olivia McKenna
Soldier-under-training
Before I decided to join the Army, I was a
children’s sports coach. It was fun, but by the
time you’ve done your hundredth lesson plan
it starts to get boring. It wasn’t going anywhere
and I started looking for something else.
The Army seemed like a lads’ thing, but there
were loads of different jobs. I’m quite a girly girl
so I wasn’t interested in the really physically
tough ones, but Healthcare Assistant looked
more like my kind of thing.
I was expecting the worst from basic training,
but it’s not that bad. I probably talk too much,
which gets me into trouble, but the discipline is
OK. You don’t get much time to yourself, and the
staff expect the best from you.
Fitness is important. We do endurance runs,
and they’re hard. Not impossible, but hard. We
march with weight on our backs, and do assault
courses and circuit training. It’s made a big
difference to my fitness – I can do a run of a
mile and a half about two minutes faster than
when I turned up. You really surprise yourself.
Weekend leave
Week 8
»
Exercise Halfway
involves three nights
in the field. Before the
exercise, soldiersunder-training will
take a series of military
skills tests.
MEET THE ARMY.indb 5
Week 9
»
Training moves to the
Soldier Development
Wing in Wales. This week
is designed to build
teamwork skills and
initiative, and to build up
soldier ethics. Exercises
might include things like
caving, climbing
and kayaking.
Week 10
Training
Becoming
a soldier
Full time
or PAID
PART TIME?
officer training
We also learn how to live outside, which is
called fieldcraft, and how to use a rifle. You have
to learn the names of the rifle parts, and how to
strip and clean it. I enjoyed school but this is
different – it’s really intense. Some people did
basic skills training as well, which gives you all
your literacy and numeracy skills.
»
First aid skills, basic
weapons skills and longrange firing. Chemical,
biological, radiological
and nuclear (CBRN)
defence training.
Week 11
»
Fieldcraft training in
preparation for the
final exercise. The
Annual Personal
Weapons Test involves
firing from several
positions. Those who
pass are now qualified
to use the hi-tech
SA80 A2 rifle.
Week 12
Up and away: a team
of soldiers are put
through their paces
on a demanding Army
assault course
»
It’s time for the fivenight Exercise Final
Fling, which includes
a two-and-a-half-day
live-firing
period
in the
field.
Week 13
Regular and Reserve officers
train at the Royal Military
Academy Sandhurst
(RMAS). Courses last from a
year to 3 weeks depending
on career stream. They learn
the same military skills as
the soldiers they lead, as
well as developing their
leadership abilities.
PART TIME
Reserve soldiers and officers
learn the same things as the
Regulars, but over a series
of evenings, weekends and
short residential courses.
»
Final Fling is very last
exercise, where all the
recruits get the chance
to put everything they
have learned on the
course into practice. This
involves moving tactically
across the training ground
and shooting at targets to
simulate battle situations.
Week 14
»
Recruits mark the end
of training by parading
in front of their family
and friends.
13
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learning
a trade
Michael wanted to know everything about engines,
so he chose a career as an Army vehicle mechanic
CRAFTSMAN
MICHAEl murphy
vehicle mechanic
When I told my mum I wanted
to join the Army, she wouldn’t let
me. She’d got worried about what
she’d seen on the news, so I had
to wait until I was 18.
Right now, I’m learning how to
be a vehicle mechanic. I’ve always
enjoyed getting dirty and working
with cars, so it’s been the ideal
career choice. Right now I can do
everything from changing a tyre
to fixing the electrics.
We’re taught by a mix of
civilians and military instructors.
The civilians are great because
14
At the end of the course, you put it all
together in Exercise Final Fling. Everything that
you’ve learned comes into play and your ability
to work as part of a team really matters. It takes
place over several days and it’s only when you’ve
done this that you realise you’re going to pass.
The people really keep you going through
training – you couldn’t do it without them. I was
worried I wouldn’t click with anyone, but now
it’s like we’re all sisters. We’ve already made
plans to meet up the weekend after we finish.
My mates at home are all doing the same
jobs. When they ask me what I’m doing, I don’t
know what to say because we’re always doing
something new. At the same time, you always
know where you have to be; that gives you a
sense of security. I never thought I’d say this,
but I’ll really miss that when we’re done. n
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MEET THE ARMY.indb 6
Very good prospects:
Olivia plans to be a
Healthcare Assistant
they know so much, but it’s the
soldiers you really learn from.
They’ve done everything, all the
trade courses and operations, so
they can answer your questions.
When I finish the course, I’ll
have an NVQ and can come back
here to get extra qualifications.
The Army is keen that you keep
learning, so if I do leave I’ll have
the skills to help me get a job.
I know my mum is still worried
about me going on operations,
but she’s also really proud of me.
She can also see how much I’m
enjoying my training and how
much I’m looking forward to
joining my unit.
the instructor’s view
Mark hammond
Instructor
What are you teaching?
We’re showing a new generation of
vehicle mechanics how to work on
Army vehicles. We’ve got
most of the main types
here, from Land Rovers
all the way up to
Challenger tanks and
self-propelled guns.
How long does it take?
It’s spread over a series of
weeks because there’s a
lot to learn. By the time
they leave here, they’ll need to
be able to do everything from
diagnosing minor faults to doing
large-scale repairs. They do a
mixture of theory and practice.
What happens to these soldiers
when they leave?
They’ll join their unit,
where they keep on
learning from some of
the experienced soldiers
they’ll be working with.
Later on, they can come
back here to add to the
trade skills that they’ve
already learned.
24/02/2014 12:25
qualifications
Hands on: Michael’s
new skills will serve him
well in civilian life too
Training
Getting
qualifieD
Army training has been
designed so soldiers can
get things like Key Skills,
BTECs, City & Guilds
Diplomas and NVQs.
Officers and soldiers can
also get qualifications
recognised by the
Institute of Leadership
and Management.
Apprenticeships
Most soldiers who join
as a Regular – that
means they serve
full-time – will be
enrolled on a Modern
Apprenticeship. This
combines practical and
academic work, leading
to an NVQ in the
relevant subject.
get motivated
The training needed for
each job brings with it
qualifications that are
appropriate to the role,
from NVQs in vehicle
mechanics to BTECs in
relief operations. The
Army has its own unit
dedicated to education,
so soldiers can learn
many other subjects.
resettlement
When the time comes
for soldiers to leave the
Army, they get plenty of
help to return to civilian
life. Before they leave,
there are workshops on
applying for jobs as well
as interview skills and
how to apply. Many
employers will seek out
former soldiers as their
job-based skills and
commitment make
them ideal employees.
15
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work
Army jobs provide plenty of challenges during the
working day, and prepare soldiers for life on operations
inside this section
18 Live a day in the life of one of the Army’s experienced soldiers
20 Soldiers serving on operations give a helping hand to Afghan villagers
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A Day in
the life...
uthern
Corporal Russell So
or
truct
Ins
GROUNDCREW
07:00
Russell gets ready for work. He’s got
his own room in a new Army block
09:00
The first lesson. Soldiers do theory
work using an Army training manual
From breakfast in the accommodation block through to lessons in
the hangar and sport in the gym, soldiers manage to pack a lot in
At the moment I’m one of a team of instructors
at an Army Air Corps training squadron. We
take soldiers who have done basic training and
give them the skills they need for their chosen
trade. It’s very varied, but because we’re based
in one place it also gives me
a lot of stability.
Most days I’m up at about
seven. I live on the base so
it’s only a five-minute walk
to work. The accommodation
has only just been built and
we’ve each got our own room
with its own bathroom. There
are also communal areas where we all eat
our breakfast and watch a bit of TV or read
the newspaper.
The first job of the day is to go into the office.
We don’t do a lot of desk work, but we still need
to organise the courses and keep on top of our
emails, just like we would in a civilian job.
THE MORNING BRIEFING
18
After that, the instructors get together for a
quick chat with our boss, just to talk about the
day ahead. We’ll often teach on each other’s
courses, which makes the working day more
interesting. When we’re done with the briefing,
it’s over to the classroom to see the soldiers.
They could be working through a training
manual or learning a skill like map-reading.
At about 12 o’clock we’ll go over for lunch. It’s
MEET THE ARMY.indb 4
a good way to catch up with the soldiers on the
course in an informal way and see if they have
any problems. The food is pretty good, but if
you wanted to cook for yourself you’d have
plenty of time to head back to the block.
GETTING STUCK IN
In the afternoon, we’ll put into
practice some of the skills
the soldiers learned in the
morning. Today we were
looking at how to prepare
loads to be transported under
a helicopter. The best way
to learn is by doing, so there’s a big practical
element to all of the courses here.
I left school without any qualifications, so
Army training meant as much to me as the guys
I’m training now. I got NVQs, driving licences,
and trained as an instructor.
finding time to relax
When you’ve finished your work, you can do
whatever you want. The gym facilities are all
free, or you can just relax. The Army treat you
like an adult and people respond to that. I used
to think it would be about waking up at half-five
with a bugle in your ear, but you only get the
best out of people by encouraging them. The
Army knows that. It’s what makes it a great
place to be. n
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18:00
With the working day behind him,
Russell catches up with his girlfriend
24/02/2014 12:25
Work
if only all
jobs were
like this
THE WORKING DAY
08:00
It’s over to the squadron office to check up on a few
emails and planning tasks before the soldiers arrive
08:45
When soldiers aren’t on
exercise or operations,
they generally work a
normal day. Depending
on where they’re based,
work starts at about
eight in the morning
and finishes at four or
five in the afternoon.
On most bases there’s
one sports afternoon
each week, when
soldiers take part in a
range of team sports
or use the free gym
facilities on the base.
HOLIDAYS
Everybody in the Army
is entitled to 38 days of
paid holiday a year. This
is more than most
civilian employees get.
Soldiers can go on
holiday or spend time
with family and friends.
EXTRA TIME OFF
12:30
Lunch. Time to relax and
catch up on Army gossip
13:15
Down in one of the hangars, soldiers put into practice the
skills they were learning about in this morning’s lessons
Soldiers who go on an
operational tour get
extra leave before they
go and again when they
come back. They usually
get two weeks off
during the tour. None
of this comes out of the
annual allowance.
MATERNITY AND
PATERNITY LEAVE
18:30
MEET THE ARMY.indb 5
20:00
Every part of the block has its
own kitchen and communal area
20:45
All bases have plenty of ways
to relax, from football to pool
The Army has very
good maternity and
paternity arrangements
for those soldiers who
are starting a family.
Your local Army Careers
Centre will tell you
more about all the
benefits that are
available to single or
married soldiers.
19
24/02/2014 12:26
Life
life on
operations
Operations aren’t only about fighting insurgents:
community projects are just as important
LIEUTENANT JAMES BRACHER
I’m on tour in Sangin, Afghanistan, in charge of seven soldiers
at a small base. Our daily activities generally include patrolling
the area in the morning, before temperatures hit the 40-degree
mark, and mentoring the Afghan National Army. But there’s also a side to my routine that a lot of people don’t
hear about back home. From talking to the local farmers, we
learned that they had been unhappy with their irrigation
systems for a long time. They wanted a new sluice gate because
it would help them to control the flow of water onto their land.
It’s not much, but it would make a big difference to them.
Before I joined the Army, I worked on a farm in Australia.
I’d been travelling and run out of money, and it was the best
20
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Making a difference
I told them, “If you get enough people to come and ask me for
help, I’ll get funding to build the sluice gate for you.” Word
spread and we got the funding. I went back to the main base
and discussed what they wanted and what we needed to do to
make it happen; we quickly figured out the best way to build
the system for them and worked out how to get funding.
If we couldn’t get materials they needed, the farmers had to
get quotes from local contractors. I learned a lot of skills that I
can use later on in civilian life, like project management or
even cost control. Those are good things to have on your CV.
We employed about half a dozen locals for three or four
months to clear the irrigation ditches around the farms which
had overgrown with vegetation. This work helped the flow of
water to the farmland, and it also cleared away cover that the
insurgents used to hide in, which will make their lives harder. The villagers in the area heard about this project and we got
involved with another one. It became a really rewarding
experience. It was really nice to have the local farmers
approach me and say, “We hope you have a really good life
with your family.” It felt like we’d made a massive difference to
their lives. And not many jobs give you that opportunity.” n
Work
job I could find. Most days I was driving a tractor and looking
after the wheat crop, so I could understand why getting a
regular supply of water was important to these locals.
A lot of what the
Army does in places
like Afghanistan
is about using its
know-how and
technology to help
local communities
THE FACTS ABOUT OPERATIONAL TOURS
on operations
WHAT IT INVOLVES
support roles
LIFE ON tour
Soldiers generally
deploy on
operations for six
months. This is
called a tour. They
get two weeks off
roughly halfway
through, when they
may be able to go
home and spend
time with their
friends and family.
Where soldiers will
spend their tour
depends on what
their job is. Combat
soldiers will typically
go out on foot
patrols. They might
be tasked to seek out
insurgent forces in
combat, to talk to
civilians in the
surrounding area or
to make sure aid can
get through to them.
When you go on
operations, you may
be used as a combat
soldier, or you may
work in a support
role. You’ll use the
trade skills you got in
your trade training
and work in your
specialist area. This
could be HR,
engineering, logistics
or finance.
Operations aren’t
all work. There are
education facilities
so that soldiers can
keep up with their
education and some
bases have sports
facilities, cafes and
even shops. All
soldiers can receive
airmail letters for
free. They also have
30 minutes of free
calls each week and
access to email.
21
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Pride
Army jobs make soldiers feel proud of themselves
and their work. Many parents feel the same way…
inside this section
24 The passing out parade is a soldier’s proudest moment – here’s why
26 Find out more about the values that the Army lives by
MEET THE ARMY.indb 3
24/02/2014 12:26
the best
day of
your life
That’s Lisa Ali’s verdict on seeing her son Jameel
in the parade that marked the end of his training
Lisa Ali
Mother of Jameel Ali
When Jameel first came home saying he wanted
to join the Army, my heart sank. You see loads
of things on the news about what’s happening
in Afghanistan and my first thought was that
he’d get hurt. I said that I wasn’t happy, but if
it was what he wanted, I’d support him.
He’s always been interested in working with
cars and learning to drive, so he explained that
he was joining as a driver. There aren’t many
jobs around here. He was working as a clothes
shop assistant, which really isn’t him at all, so it
started to sound more appealing.
A couple of days after his training started, he
called to say that he was feeling really homesick.
I told him to wait until his training got started
i
244
MEET THE ARMY.indb 4
24/02/2014 12:26
properly, and that’s what he did.
After a week, they were starting to
get busy and that gave him other
things to think about. He called
me each time he’d done something
new or exciting. Even if it was quite
late at night, he’d still call because
he was so proud of how much progress he was
making on the course. Now he wasn’t calling to
say that he was homesick or unhappy, he was
calling to say: “Guess what I’ve been doing!”
From a selfish point of view, it makes life so
much easier that they’re able to call. I was really
surprised at first, but it’s a great idea because
it means you’re not completely cut off from
the soldier’s view
Private Jameel Ali Royal Logistic Corps
“when I HEARD
the band and
THEN HE CAME
marching OUT...
it was amazing”
How did the parade go?
In all honesty, I was just standing
there waiting for it to be over. It’s
been a long, hard 14 weeks
and I’ve been really
looking forward to
seeing my family after
our parade.
You got an award.
What for?
It was for physical
training. Everything we did,
like runs or circuit training,
I really put my heart into,
so it’s great to win.
Your mum’s here. What does she say
about your career choice?
She was dead against it at first,
but her attitude has changed
and she’s supported me all
the way through.
What did she say to you?
It was all a bit emotional. She
said that I had grown up and
she could see how my attitude
to life and to myself had
changed. Having my
family here today
means a lot. I’ll
never forget it.
Pride
Grandstand view:
Lisa watches as
Jameel joins his
friends on parade
expect a
change for
the better
improved
Self-respect
The Army values every
member of the team.
And it’s important that
every member of the
team values themselves.
That’s why, right from
the start of training,
pride is one of the most
important things a
soldier learns.
better
personal Care
During the first few
weeks of their training,
soldiers learn how to
look after their kit and
their environment.
They learn everything
from how to iron a shirt
to how to fold their
clothes and put them
away tidily in their
wardrobe.
increased
motivation
Attitude is important,
too. Because soldiers
believe in themselves,
they tend to be more
motivated, more
committed and more
passionate about
their jobs.
are you ready
for change?
Someone who joins the
Army is likely to be more
careful about their
appearance, dedicated to
their job and proud of
themselves. But Army
training isn’t about
changing someone’s
personality. It’s about
giving them new life
skills and helping to
change their outlook.
5
25
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the values
we live by
Lance Corporal Gilbert Williams is one of
over 40 soldiers who are Rastafarians. He
talks about how he practices his religion as a
serving soldier and what the Army’s values
and standards (see panel) mean to him.
How important is your religion to you?
It’s a fundamental part of who I am. It asks
that I keep a clean heart, pray every day and
don’t eat pork. And there’s the dreadlocks. A
Rastafarian won’t cut their hair, but as long as
it’s neat and tidy, the Army are happy.
Do the Army cater for all religions?
Mothers’ pride:
Parents enjoy the
parade as much
as the soldiers do
26
them and you know what they’re doing. The
parents can also come and visit halfway through
the course, which is a really good idea because
you can see where they live and some of the
things they do. It means that when they call,
you can imagine where they are and what
they’re up to.
Now it’s 14 weeks later and I’ve just watched
his passing out parade, and I have to say it’s
been a really emotional day. I know I’m going
to cry when I get home, but I’m trying not to
embarrass him at the moment!
My heart really went when I heard the band
start, and when he came marching onto the
parade ground with everyone else from the
course – it was an amazing sight. During the
ceremony he was given a trophy for being the
best at physical training, which was really good
because I know how hard he worked for it. As
MEET THE ARMY.indb 6
soon as he heard there was a trophy for that, he
said: “Mum, I’m definitely going to try to win
that!” – and now he has.
I’m really proud of all my kids, but I’m so
proud of Jameel right now that I just want to
shout about it. After the end of the parade, the
first chance I got I gave him a massive hug and
told him I loved him. And I do. He’s been so
committed to this.
It has changed him. He’s still the same, jokey
Jameel, but he’s more serious than before. He’s
already talking about buying a car when he’s got
enough money and buying a house one day. It
seems like he’s really grown up.
I’m still worried about him going overseas on
operations, but I know more about the work he
does now, I’ve seen how hard they prepare, and
that’s put my mind at rest a bit. Right now, I’m
just a very, very proud mum. n
Absolutely. The Army takes diversity very
seriously. You get all the different types of
food you need and there are even halal and
kosher ration packs, for instance. During
Ramadan, Muslims can pray and fast, and
Sikhs can celebrate their new year.
What do the values and standards mean?
They’re the backbone of everything that the
Army is, because they deal with how you
behave and how you treat each other. And they
help to make you a better soldier as well, by
making you think about how you behave.
Which one means most to you?
Selfless commitment. It’s about making sure
that you put the welfare of other people first
and demonstrating respect for others. This is
something that’s part of my faith too.
Have you experienced any racism?
No. But I’m not going to stand here and tell
you that the Army is perfect, because it isn’t.
You hear about people who have been badly
treated, but I can say this – it’s not tolerated.
There are procedures to deal with it, and that
will include throwing racists and bullies out.
The Army doesn’t want soldiers like that.
24/02/2014 12:27
Joining the British Army is not like going
to work for any civilian company. Being a
part of the Army means understanding its
deeper principles – and being committed
to live by them.
y
Pride
s
Values And Standards
our values
Selfless CommitmenT
Soldiers are expected to put the needs of the
mission, and their team, before their own. This
is what makes the Army an effective team.
Courage
The physical courage to place yourself in
danger and the moral courage to do what
is right are equally important.
Discipline
A disciplined soldier will obey orders, even
under difficult conditions, and act with
imagination and resourcefulness.
Integrity
This means that soldiers must always be
honest and truthful, and put the needs of
the team before their own.
Loyalty
Bringing soldiers together, loyalty means that
soldiers will always be true to our country, the
Army, their officers and each other.
Respect for others
The Army believes in equal treatment and
opportunity for everyone. Soldiers are
expected to respect each other, victims
of conflict, prisoners and civilians.
our standards
BE Lawful
“the army take
diversity very
seriously. you even
get halal and kosher
ration packs”
Soldiers have to abide by the law of the
United Kingdom as well as international law
when they are on operations.
behave Appropriately
Everyone in the Army is expected to keep to
certain standards. That’s why misbehaviour
like racism, bullying and harassment is not
tolerated anywhere in the Army.
be the best
Soldiers are expected to do their jobs to the
best of their ability. They should avoid excess
alcohol use and misuse of drugs, and be in
charge of their finances.
27
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Benefits
People who join the Army get trade training, job security and many other
advantages you’d never find in civilian life. Find out just what’s on offer…
inside this section
30 Read up on all the benefits that come with an Army career
31 What happens when someone decides to apply
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24/02/2014 12:27
The Benefits of a
On the previous pages you’ve read interviews with soldiers enjoying many different aspects of an Army career.
By reading this guide,
you’ll have given yourself
a better idea of what Army
careers involve. Like many
jobs, they have their own
challenges, but these are
more than balanced out by
the rewards.
From the chance to learn
and use trade skills, to
all the different ways the
Army helps you to support
and raise a family, it can
be a great place for anyone
who wants to build a
successful future. And
as you’ve seen, there are
plenty of people who have
already done just that.
To get more answers to
your questions, visit army.
mod.uk/family
Family
»
“We all work
together as part
of a close team”
“you learn
military and
trade skills”
Every member of the Army gets training in core
military skills as well as all the things they need
to know to do their jobs. The training is closely
linked to civilian courses where possible, so it’s
a great way to get qualified for free.
» Members of the team support each other and
» The Army gives soldiers all the trade skills
» Single soldiers get inexpensive accommodation
» Married soldiers get inexpensive family
» Soldiers can do an Apprenticeship or get
socialise together
accommodation
their families
» Community facilities are available to soldiers
and their families
» Information centres tell you more about the area
you’ll be living in
» Job security makes it easy to plan for the future
» All Regular soldiers receive a good salary and
other financial benefits like a non-contributory
pension and affordable accommodation
MEET THE ARMY.indb 4
»
Soldiers become part of the Army family, which
brings many advantages and acts as a readymade support network. The Army is also a great
place for married couples and others looking for
ways to support or start a family.
» The Army Welfare Service supports soldiers and
30
training
they need
vocational qualifications
» Officers and experienced soldiers can complete
management qualifications
» Training takes place in well-equipped
Army facilities
» Soldiers are taught by both military and
civilian personnel
» Training and development continues throughout
a soldier’s career
» Soldiers can re-train for new jobs
» Work-related training is free but solders may pay
a contribution towards some courses
» Soldiers are paid while they train
24/02/2014 12:27
He
f army life
eer.
Here’s a chance to remind yourself of all the advantages it can bring
work
»
pride
»
so What
happens next?
The next step is to have a chat with
whoever it is who’s thinking about
joining the Army. This guide will
hopefully answer big questions like
how they will train and what kinds
of work they’ll do, but here are some
things you may want to ask them:
“When we’re not
on operations,
we’ll work
regular hours”
Jobs in the Army are often closely linked to
the ones you find in civilian life, which is why
you’ll find engineers, HR experts and drivers
in our ranks. You’ll also get people doing more
specialised jobs. Soldiers use a mix of military
and trade skills, especially on operations.w
» There are bases all over the world, with the
majority in the UK and Germany
» When possible, soldiers get an afternoon off for
sport once a week
» Soldiers are entitled to 38 days’ holiday a year
» Soldiers usually get extra time off before and
after an operational tour
» Adventurous training helps personal development
» Most soldiers can expect to do at least one
“Training helps
soldiers to
take pride in
themselves”
Learning self-respect is one of the most
important steps towards being a good soldier.
By taking pride in themselves, their friends and
their unit, soldiers play a full part in the life of
the Army, sharing in all its rewards.
» Soldiers become more motivated, passionate
and committed people
» All soldiers believe in the same set of values and
standards
» The Army has zero tolerance of racism,
bullying and harassment
» All members of the team are valued equally
» Parades and other events encourage soldiers to
What job do they want to do?
Which unit would they like to join?
What skills will they learn?
Where will they be based?
What are their next steps?
If you still have questions, or there’s
anything else that you’d like more
details about, you can call into your
local Army Careers Centre at any
time and talk to one of the Careers
Advisers. You can also visit the special
family section of the Army website.
The details are below.
Having a loved one join the Army
can be a difficult but exciting time.
It’s probably very different to anything
you’ve dealt with before, but it will
give you a chance to share in lots
of new experiences. We hope you’ll
enjoy it.
For more information go to
army.mod.uk/family
be proud of themselves and their friends
operational tour during their career
» Soldiers get free medical and dental care
» Everyone receives free resettlement advice
31
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24/02/2014 12:27
“having the support
of my family is
really important”
The British Army
wholeheartedly supports
the principle of equality of
opportunity in employment.
We are opposed to all forms
of unlawful discrimination
on the grounds of race,
colour, ethnic background,
gender, marital status,
sexual orientation, disability,
religious belief or age. We
are committed, wherever
practicable, to recruiting
and maintaining a workforce
which broadly reflects the
UK population we serve. We
have a strict code of conduct
that ensures zero tolerance
of bullying, harassment,
discrimination and
victimisation on any grounds
2
RG/BRO/161 February 2014
Produced for the Ministry of Defence by Army Recruiting and
Training Division Crown Copyright February 2014
MEET THE ARMY.indb 2
Call 0845 600 8080
Go to army.mod.uk/family
24/02/2014 12:23