Army officer

Army officers command, manage and motivate teams of soldiers.

In this guide

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As an army officer, your duties will depend on your unit.

In a combat role you could:

  • command infantry soldiers on operations
  • pilot a helicopter and lead your crew and ground troops
  • co-ordinate surveillance to locate tank and artillery targets

In a medical or healthcare role, you could:

  • care for injured soldiers as a doctor or nurse
  • provide dental care for army personnel and their families
  • work with military animals as a veterinary officer

You could also:

  • co-ordinate supplies for disaster relief efforts and military deployments
  • manage engineering projects from setting up camps to building bridges
  • plan operations based on intelligence gathering
  • provide support and guidance to soldiers and their families as a chaplain

Working environment

You could work at a military base, be based overseas or in a warzone.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding and outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear a uniform and protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Your first command post will usually be for 12 years though you can leave during training or after 3 years' service. With training and experience, you could move up through the ranks from lieutenant to captain, major and beyond.

Throughout your army career, you'll have the opportunity to gain qualifications in your chosen field.

You could apply to join the UK Special Forces as a Regular or a Reservist. Get information on how to join UK Special Forces Reserves.

On leaving active service, you could use your skills, qualifications and experience to go into a new career, for example in management, planning or teaching. You can find details about support and opportunities from:

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • 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

You'll need to:

Most relevant

  • Physical Education - Army officers must maintain a high level of physical fitness and pass demanding fitness tests throughout their career. They lead soldiers in physically challenging environments, from training exercises to active operations, and need to understand endurance, strength, and how the body performs under pressure.
  • Geography - Army officers use map reading, navigation, and terrain analysis as core parts of planning and leading operations. Understanding weather systems, landscapes, and how physical environments affect movement and strategy is essential for both combat and humanitarian missions.
  • Mathematics - Army officers use mathematics when planning logistics, calculating supply requirements, reading grid references, and coordinating artillery or surveillance targets. Quick mental arithmetic and the ability to work with data under pressure are part of everyday decision-making.
  • Politics - Army officers operate within a political context – they need to understand international relations, conflict, government structures, and the rules of engagement that govern military operations. Awareness of geopolitics helps them make sense of the missions they are deployed on.
  • English Language - Army officers write operational orders, briefings, and reports that must be precise and unambiguous. They also need excellent verbal communication skills to command soldiers clearly, brief senior officers, and sometimes liaise with civilians and foreign partners.

Also relevant

  • History - Army officers study military history to learn from past campaigns, strategies, and leadership decisions. Understanding how conflicts have developed and been resolved helps them think critically about tactics and the broader context of their operations.
  • Engineering - Army officers may manage engineering projects such as building bridges, setting up field camps, or constructing defensive positions. Understanding engineering principles helps them oversee these tasks and work effectively with specialist Royal Engineer units.
  • Psychology - Army officers are responsible for the morale and wellbeing of their soldiers, often in high-stress or traumatic situations. Understanding how people respond to pressure, fear, and group dynamics helps them lead effectively and support their teams.
  • Modern Foreign Languages - Army officers are frequently deployed overseas and may need to communicate with local populations, allied forces, or interpreters. Having language skills – or an understanding of how languages work – can be a real advantage in international operations.
  • Physics - Army officers benefit from understanding principles like ballistics, radio communications, and the mechanics of vehicles and equipment. In roles involving surveillance, artillery coordination, or helicopter piloting, physics knowledge directly supports operational effectiveness.

How to become

You could get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

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

Most subjects are acceptable.

You can also apply for an army officer internship before, during or after university. This gives you the chance to learn about the officer role and whether it's something you want to do.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

You could work towards becoming an officer by doing a college course, for example in public services or A levels. You would then apply to the army for officer training.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

You could start your army career by doing an HM Forces Serviceperson Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

You would apply directly to the army to find the best apprenticeship route for you.

Entry requirements

To do this apprenticeship, you'll need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

You can join the Army Reserve as a part-time officer to get some experience of what life is like in the regular army. You'll also learn new skills at the same time.

You'll need to:

  • be between 18 and 49
  • commit to at least 27 days a year, though this can fall to 19, if you apply for a specialist unit
  • attend a 2-week training camp each year

If you're between 12 and 18 years old, you can join the Army Cadet Force.

You can apply directly for officer training.

You'll 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 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths, science or a foreign language
  • 2 A levels or equivalent qualifications

You'll be invited to talk to someone at your local army careers centre about the opportunities available. You'll then attend a 2-part assessment, which includes medical and fitness tests.

If you're accepted, you'll move onto formal officer training at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in Surrey.

You'll find more information about becoming an army officer from Army Careers.

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