What does it take to be a soldier in the British Army? | Soldier - BBC

What does it take to be a frontline solider in the British Army? At Britain’s biggest garrison, Private South is being pushed to the limit - physically and mentally - alongside young men and women as they begin the transformation from fresh-faced civilians to infantry soldiers. Only the very best will make it. #Soldier #iPlayer
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Who has what it takes to be a frontline soldier? At Britain's biggest garrison, fresh recruits are pushed to the limit - physically and mentally.
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[@petercarter9034]

This guy should be proud of himself, he is a credit to the army

[@blackhawkedu1]

Gives us back Gibraltar

[@dave_hedgehog4738]

​@@blackhawkedu1you spanish?

[@blackhawkedu1]

@@dave_hedgehog4738 yes and Gibraltar was stolen from Spain. UK MUST GIVE IT BACK

[@chrisspencer6502]

Yeah in those virgin specs shows he has self confidence

[@aitkensecurity]

And a credit to the country!

[@jinlee2617]

Pain doesn't make me weep, army salary does!

[@SnakePliskin762]

Decent once you start moving up the ranks which can be quick in the infantry.

[@warmachine0962]

if you join the army for salary you're in the wrong place

[@IAMJEFFREY-cw9ns]

​@@warmachine0962It's a career option at the end of the day. There's a huge drop in recruitment just across the pond. The youth of today aren't interested in fighting wars on behalf of corrupt politicians and big corporations. People want to get paid well and eat well.

[@BreakingWhite]

you join for service and pride for your nation, not money, hell you'll hardly have time to spend it 😂

[@randomstudios180]

its actually quite good bc everything is paid for meaning no bills and most expenses apart from taxes but taxes are slightly reduced and u dont really spend it much plus it gets better when u move up meaning its better than being a civilian for context averge soldier earns 23000 a year average salary foor any brit is 36000 but they have all the expenses plus holidays

[@OldhamSteve52]

I joined up in 78. GPMG still going strong. Says it all.

[@daniellee2343]

It was relegated to a support weapon but the FN Minimi that replaced it at a section level wasn't effective enough so they brought the GPMG (FN MAG) back.

[@MortivationNation]

Respect to any man who fights for our country,

[@AFCTV204]

Whats there to fight for? Britain is broken.

[@kacpernap2863]

whatrs so broken about it? @@AFCTV204

[@FemboyLegendGD]

fight for sharia law, your daughter will wear hijabs

[@MortivationNation]

@@AFCTV204 be a different situation when it’s on your front door and you will do anything to protect your family.

[@loganvl6731]

@@MortivationNationThe average name for a male in your country is Mohammad, none of you have done anything

[@Reticulosis]

What does it take to be a British soldier? A pulse and a willingness to sign up… the pulse is negotiable.

[@MagicMarvin33]

Clearly never tried to join, the prosses is so bad. If your feet are the wrong shape you cant get in haha. At the moment you are lucky to get in after a year of paperwork and medicals.

[@Britishgundogtraining]

@@NA-gf1zy🤣🤣🤣 no it’s not where are you all getting this from , I can name 50 units worldwide that’s harder then this

[@Britishgundogtraining]

@@NA-gf1zy harder then USMC 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@irvsstella]

How long did you serve?

[@irvsstella]

You must be oblivious of medical requirements of having massive bollocks and lungs like Garth!

[@ShieldsMan-OmuziraMmamba]

"You have done the course and not been the worst." Modest dude ☺

[@eightlivesdownmtb]

2493.... In from 93-97...I've seen better, worse and much worse in the uniformed service in which I currently serve. Fair play to this lad, he had the wherewithal to join, the gumption to stay and the qualities to accept responsibility. There are millions out there who can't or won't dare to achieve what he has done and might yet have to do for this country. And if anyone wants a straightener I'll be in the gym from 1700hrs.

[@5732noel]

In your 4 years 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@eightlivesdownmtb]

@@5732noel 16 years in total crowbag!

[@northernleigonare]

@@5732noel In your 0 years.

[@northernleigonare]

Probably the only reasonable comment ever posted on this video.

[@MICHAEL-wg2lh]

Ooooo your hardddd😂

[@Michael-ef9ni]

Is this what happens when you don’t get your letter from hogwarts?

[@mousse4493]

Respect to our British fellows from the US. I'm likely joining the US Army in the future, I'd love to train along with these guys. Absolute badasses.

[@Joexproxbailey]

❤🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@Mautiks]

Army gay

[@mevolander8478]

cannot imagine looking at the US government and deciding youd die for them

[@strophosgaming5998]

@@mevolander8478 lol true

[@ltenclavesoldier9280]

He is just an slave to the western power. I don't respect anyone man who willing know government is enslaving him but still joins the army

[@LoveBritain12234]

I am an Egyptian who lives in the United Kingdom and I hope one day to obtain British citizenship. I will never hesitate to take up arms to defend the land of Great Britain. I love the UK 🇬🇧

[@5732noel]

ITC catterick line infantry is pretty much an attendance course.

[@SlopedOtter]

Good to see they have new kit in depot. I trained with Iraq era kit, showed up to my batallion and got thrown kit I'd never even seen and a rifle with a sight I never knew existed.

[@chrisbamborough222]

To be fair their life experience up to joining is not naturally connected to the training. A year or so they will change. In the 70s everyone around me seemed mature and different in many ways had outdoors cope yourself experiences and discipline in the their childhood .They will he ok in time.

[@sophie3842]

Loved this show on bbc iplayer & loved that Jack o'connel narrated it. I thought the recruits had really funny and sweet personalities, they did amazing. Also the corporal's were really supportive and just wanted all of them to do their best. Please make series 2! 🙂🤗

[@christiansanchez2730]

This might seem odd but I live in the states but I rather join the British military before my own(except Air Force).Seems like British are leve headed and treat everyone with respect. I can fight for a country like that.

[@Finnbobjimbob]

We’ve had a lot of practice and experience to get it right

[@yorkmanngaming5888]

Brits are for service mate, we're professionals who know/want to fight. USA recruit anyone despite their morals as cannon fodder unfortunately

[@scottpyke6069]

Aye, professional army

[@eclipsegfxable]

@@yorkmanngaming5888 Funny you thinking that the UK is any different.

[@XxMABY_LauxX]

Thank you for your service

[@Hororrgun]

Step 1: Somehow get past medical

[@krag9083]

Trying to get into the Navy atm, the medical checks through Capita seems endless.

[@ManchesterStrong]

Awesome effort from that lad ,not cocky or gung ho , just with the determination to keep going , try harder and focus , I too had glasses and contact lenses , my contact lenses gave me HD long distance vision but were itchy in the field , being only 55 ish kilos wet through I wanted to prove myself , I always wanted to be at the front of route marches carry the Bren or the Gimp , now 40 years later my hearing is bad , my eyes not fantastic , but I would do all it all again tomorrow even today , where do I sign?

[@Rainyday24]

This guy is my inspiration, I wear glasses and contacts too, but i’m looking to get Lasik surgery before joining the army.

[@carlreynolds2726]

Cpl Potts, hope you are keeping well mate. Smashing it out it in Catterick good job 💪🏻

[@bampitony6108]

I wouldn't let my son join none of the armed forces.. If he got wounded once healed your thrown to one side.. These hero's should be guaranteed help when suffering any harm.. They put there lives on the line so we can be free.. Respect all round.. 🇬🇧👏👏👏👏👏

[@motherstar1]

Same problem in USA. So many homeless veterans, some disabled, and Veterans Affairs doesn't help. It's disgusting.

[@ashleyhewitt4894]

You don't know what you are talking about

[@bampitony6108]

@@ashleyhewitt4894 Talk to a homeless veteran living rough... doughnut..🤔

[@ashleyhewitt4894]

@bampitony6108 There are so many groups and charities that help veterans. If the soldier wants help or wants to take the easy option and blame everyone else

[@ashleyhewitt4894]

@bampitony6108 I would like you to take into account I did 22 years in the Army

[@joeisclever9225]

bro clearly has not watched full metal jacket

[@jonwilson8178]

Was in from 88, we used to have boots thrown through windows then billed for them. Loads of failures. Happy days!!

[@S-North]

Indeed, boots and most of our lockers and 11 57. I joined in 88 as well.

[@kevinadamson5768]

I joined in 1986 guards depot, show parade take your bed locker and all your kit on the drill square at 1800 hours, happy days. If you got jailed you got rifted to guardroom in two dress with your back pack and blankets on your back, effing brutal. 😢

[@-Katastrophe]

I think rule 1 is that you cannot under any circumstances throw crates of tea into water, even if you are brewing it for the whole platoon.

[@izil1fe]

0:08 I'm pretty sure the main character of "Full Metal Jacket" has em mate.. ;)

[@northernleigonare]

I only have 1 mate who is currently serving in the army and I can't speak for anything because I'm not him. All I know is he's happily engaged and enjoys it. I am sure my Grandad who was an ex Major would say something different about today's forces, but at the same time probably doesn't care. Suprised at the sheet amount of idiots in the comments. Wonder if you all tried to join but weren't allowed in because you didn't get your GCSE's.

[@DirtyBlackBastard1]

or just accept our country is falling

[@IAMJEFFREY-cw9ns]

​@@DirtyBlackBastard1Give Sunak time. His policies will make Britain a fun place to live in. I love his way of working. We finally have a prime minister who cares about the common man.

[@DirtyBlackBastard1]

@@IAMJEFFREY-cw9ns are you on smack

[@RaffieFaffie]

You don't need GCSEs for the infantry

[@KyieshaPlayz]

​@@RaffieFaffieu do

[@APimpNamedSlick]

I wanna join the army, I have no discipline in my life, I have no friends or family and I think these guys could be my new family

[@MagnumLord01]

Currently in the army cadets and in two years I’ll be signing up for Harrogate and on my way to join either the armoured divisions,the infantry or if I can get there the marines

[@richardnixon4345]

Stop pulling yourself, that will help

[@MagnumLord01]

@@richardnixon4345 what do you mean pulling myself

[@j11g55]

I did cadets between 12-18 and spent 2 of those years teaching a detachment after completing JCIC AND SCIC training. Keep your head up and the army will praise your motivation to find your own roll and do your own research on the roll at hand. You have the spirit and that other guy smacks me as someone who hasnt done anything military. Soldiers dont shit on each other like that, ignore him youll find him flipping burgers telling the boss that he's doing 'the most' hahaha. Huge respect Cadet.​@@MagnumLord01

[@xclonejager6959]

Don’t got to Harrogate lad, Go to college or do an apprenticeship first, every bod that dose Harrogate regrets its + Phase one adult entry is half the time of junior entry

[@MagnumLord01]

@@craig2795 thanks for the advice man I’m gonna try my hardest and go straight for it

[@aryandas1813]

“Or as I like to call it, the GMG-P!”

[@nathanielhamer5307]

"You havent seen a soldier with glasses" Me who've watched full metal jacket: 🤨

[@Mogojoegotube]

Seems well alright, nice stuff lad keep up the good work!

[@Kyle-gx9qu]

He’s got all my respect 🫡

[@LFC-ib2iq]

A good few years ago I tried to apply but was turned down due to telling them I had been on anxiety and depression medication in the past. Are you able to reapply for the army after a certain period of time? If so, would it be worth my time to do or would they just flat out refuse me?

[@almartin115]

Spike Milligan was once asked, How long he was in the army, to which he replied..."6foot 2 Sir"

[@lowfreekey]

Putting a space drum as the background instrumental to an army vid. I've seen it all.

[@BigPlaya206]

Ft Benning makes this place look like a daycare

[@rickeppy2365]

guy on the pic looks like he should stick to call of duty 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@SCFCSteff]

done more for this country than you have

[@tristansundquist1834]

It’s interesting to see the difference in the corporal rank between the US and UK.

[@sterlingmoose9335]

Good lad. Stick with it, work hard.

[@maxbuckley9762]

Hold on... did this guy never see full metal jacket with pvt joker.. he had glasses

[@yarp123123123123123]

i tried to sign up and got failed the medical because of hay fever, the whole process is a joke, had to wait 6 month to even get to AC glencorse

[@jakoblindelof92]

I know what you mean son. In sweden they only accept 5% every hear from 100 000 candidates (everyone is forced to answer questions according to law). But point is hay fever lactose intolerance, sensetive skin instantly excludes. Crazy selective times for military.

[@orbitspec9199]

Ex British soldier here. Don't join. Not until the people in the suites making the decisions can do so in a Manor that isn't purely motivated by greed and political agendas. We get spat out and forgotten about. Thousands of ex soldiers currently in prison because they have come out broken, with no support and turned to drugs.

[@mikerithgin7102]

Klaus and George thank you for your “service” 😂

[@raymondedwards8111]

Training, commitment and patriotism VOTE REFORM

[@Nick-ei5yj]

Point man is now "point person" 🙄

[@Lambondoya]

actual?

[@jamesflaherty59]

Of course, women are in the infantry nowadays so it would make sense to change it, surely?

[@jamiedanieltaylor]

Full metal jacket Jocker!

[@Baconsausageeggs]

BBC can you please add this back or is it already still on there also If one is being made one if the RAF

[@camrenwick]

It's mostly bullies who do well in the Army and get promoted

[@Sharon-Slater1991]

I done 13 years in the military. I came across hundreds of people wearing glasses.

[@rabsrealm]

Good effort son :)

[@keithgoodrick-meech3921]

The question every potential recruit should ask themselves is. Why are there so many veterans homeless and on the streets.?

[@evagolldwing2623]

British Army absolutely TOP TOP TOP ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐♥️ and absolutely 💎 diamond ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@XiangYu94]

Yo honestly I wouldn't want to be the gunner, you have the carry the damn thing everywhere

[@SteaKn1fe]

bro not seen full metal jacket 0:09

[@roryvance3694]

I am curous as to what is the primary motivator to join the RA, RN, RAF or RAMC. In the US, most of us joined because of the GI bill and the desire to go university debt free. Is it the same in the UK? Do they have a GI bill? (for the record, worked for me, used mine to get my BA and then got a scholarship for my MA)

[@snowyowl7413]

Don’t think there’s something like that there . And don’t mean to sound rude but when you say RA and RAMC do you mean the British army and the Royal Marines commando?

[@roryvance3694]

@@snowyowl7413 yup, sorry i didnt get the abbreviations rigth (as former USAF, knew RAF thanks to bases in the UK). But my question is, what is the primary motivator for enlistment in the UK armed forces? The GI bill is a big motivator for us here in the states

[@snowyowl7413]

To do something more with their lives, to see the world to be the best in the world if you are planning on joining the marines. I want to join up hopefully as a Merlin pilot if not that then the marines or Royal engineers and the reason I want to join is because I want to do something useful with my life instead of doing a nine to five job at a desk for years on end

[@roryvance3694]

@@snowyowl7413 If that is your motivation, its a good one! Assuming the UK military is much like the US, you have the chance to do things every day that is different and only happen in the military. No lie , some will be bad. Some will be amazing, but i guarantee, its not a 9 to 5. I was a USAF medic myself. My advice? listen to every vet you can. Some will tell you its awful. Some will tell you they had good experiences. Probably both are true, but the most important thing is to go in with eyes open.

[@MichaelSaunders-y2m]

Travel, chance to learn a trade

[@Salena905]

Meaning no disrespects but isn't it a problem for having soldiers on the front line wearing glases as wouldn't their glases reflect light etc and show where they are and also what happens if they lose their glasses and need them. ? I genuinely would like to know .

[@Lambondoya]

contacts.

[@Salena905]

@@Lambondoya Oh yeah of course. I wear glasses myself and never once worn them, but I keep hearing that they fall out easily , unless that's not true?

[@R_S747]

​@@Salena905 contacts don't fall out easily if you get half decent ones. Hell, they're hard to even get out to begin with.

[@TheBullOfLewisham]

Friday 4th January 2024. 00.28am. "Dear Sir/Madam. Good-morning. How are you? I trust you are all well and in good spirits." 🙂 "I love the British Army. You Guy's, are amazing. When the time comes, I will be there. Trust me. I apologise, for the past. I live a lonely life, and I get stressed, quick. Everything, I ever had is for the British Army. Keep up the good work Men." Yours Faithfully. The Bull of Lewisham. Mr Francesca Al Kray. God Save The King: King Charles (Third). 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿.

[@igor7000]

too much swearing

[@WorldSurvivalist]

😂

[@macklee6837]

"Fk these sh1tty rifles, I want the gun" 😆

[@tnganthavee100]

Don't ever lose that Tokken!

[@earthcitizen7245]

people sell them all the time, good money, medals used to be a form of compensation for lack of cash money for a soldiers service, not uncommon throughout history

[@tnganthavee100]

@@earthcitizen7245 I'm aware of this, its just that its really sad to hear or see former soldiers doing this just to survive.

[@SirDamned]

What does it take? Well at the time the iron will to get past Capita, then there was phase one.

[@davidmccann9811]

What does it take? The inability to find another job.

[@aboutaveragejake]

point person 🤣 you can tell this is a BBC doc

[@handcrafted30]

Oh Jesus. This is grim. I am Embarrassed. The is very worrying.

[@mattatherton6969]

A willingness to accept years of budget constraints leading to poor equipment and an increased likelihood of dying in a high intensity war

[@IAMJEFFREY-cw9ns]

What I love ❤ the most is how the staff are caring and compassionate towards the young lads. Equality, diversity and compassion before anything! Love it❤😀 I hope they pay the lads good money too.

[@bobbob-jy4wt]

theyre only doing it for the telly

[@IAMJEFFREY-cw9ns]

@@bobbob-jy4wt I doubt it.

[@phantom-1443]

No, it shouldn't be before anything, defence of the nation should be before anything. Wtf has diversity and equality got to do with the military? And if by diversity you mean blocking white people from joining but letting any other person in then may I remind you that that is racist.

[@Formerbootneck]

Breeding ground for weak soldiers

[@mikewinston8709]

11 EOD Regt RLC ….Didcot……Oxon. They have a transgender Warrant Officer class 2. I’ve met it once as well, at a recruiting fair. The teenagers it was talking to were all laughing and sneering at it.

[@thersbugb7362]

What it takes is definitely not watching this video from the BBC

[@him050]

The continuity of this show was poor at times. They'd show you things that they are trying to make you think happened in the order they're shown. But in the first part they'll be wearing their regimental berets, then in the second clip they're back in the general service one.

[@jslife1894]

Only thing I'm gonna ask is does the glass shine give away your position?

[@WhooseAGoose]

Glasses don’t shine that much tbh

[@TreePine-zv7uj]

Top Bloke

[@mene9958]

Seriously if you have anything about you, dont join the british army. I left to join the legion. The british army HAS gone soft its as simple as that

[@devildogu1284]

bros dont sound ready to face anything russian

[@pyeitme508]

ok

[@i_know_youre_right_but]

As someone who was in, I can tell you this, not much. Should’ve seen the state of some of the people I came through with.

[@OlwersFighting]

Hello mate just wondering in 4 years is there really any actually threat or is it all training ?

[@bobikzielarz]

I'm a soldier in battlefield, the ea's battlefield, I know what these guys are going thru.

[@eihcra_]

The government should spend more on it, our army is a joke

[@samiamim4015]

First of all, you gotta call yourself a "bri'ish soljah" Secondly, you gotta sip at least 10 cuppa tea daily

[@johncapewell7520]

It mainly takes stupidity. I'm not signing up to be possible fodder for some rich people or signing my life away.

[@samuelgoss1529]

I worked with that guy wow

[@sonnyhutchins3141]

I don't know how any of them pass all their eyes was literally touching the scope of there guns, black eye central You can get in the army unless you have medical conditions or any type of physical condition that might set your part or if you're not the right hight

[@benkelly2190]

You couldn’t join the infantry, when I joined 1979. If you wore glasses. Probably for a good reason.

[@TowardtheFlames]

Honestly? A room temp IQ

[@ZDProds-c8p]

infantry? cannon fodder more like

[@philiparthur5166]

I see Cpl Jones and Cpl Dean

[@graemebuchan8142]

😂 fuckin deano.was an instructor on his NCO cadre x.

[@disgruntledvet4849]

Gimpy is heavy as shit

[@sakarkolachhapati9793]

Would England fight war if ppl applied for soldiers were only engineers or doctors or social worker

[@truthmediarebel5816]

Ex SAS/Paratrooper do not join.

[@mikemcwhirter3261]

Not good eye sight by the looks of it. They call me the Punisher. Get it?

[@Penguins_antartica]

I wear glasses for reading and driving at night times

[@redcloud4741]

No way, its Terance Sweetwater.

[@sakarkolachhapati9793]

How old is this young looking bloke

[@5lmohy_232]

What regiment is this?

[@5lmohy_232]

@@RoughWalkers Thanks

[@MichaelSaunders-y2m]

Training Centre Catterick

[@blazayblazay8888]

A PULSE

[@CeeGhst]

Bro that MG is what we nearly used in Cadets 🤣

[@isaacfarthing9014]

What’s your point?

[@barukkazhad8998]

Where was the rain? 😂

[@kirkegaming9542]

Well i cant be one as i have anemia and dyspraxia also i have a past bone injury.

[@jasoncornthwaite8387]

to be proud of our history , our hardship that my ancestors made for us and you, slagging our history is quite embarrassing , right or wrong its our evolution and keyboard warriors on here ,,, ? well What does it take to be a soldier in the British Army? a few proud folk . the rest can have a opinion on social media ,,lol

[@IAMJEFFREY-cw9ns]

Are they still serving beans on toast for breakfast?

[@mountainbearoutdoors]

nah the scoff isnt too bad although the chef will rip your hands off if you try and take more than 2 sausages in basic.

[@Indoor_Carrot]

What does it take? Winning the lottery when you're born and being 100% perfect with no medical issues what so ever.

[@talaverajr391]

Well for all the exercise that you will go through Id reckon that you would definitely require a good *Bo'ohw'o'wo'er* !