Soldier

Editorial

BBC One West Midlands HD

Documentaries

Factual: Real Life Stories

What does it take to be a frontline soldier in the British army?

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. Only the very best will make it.

Series 1

BBC Three

The BBC North East & Cumbria region started in 1959 (tbc) as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One North East & Cumbria.

BBC One North East & Cumbria HD

BBC One London

London

Simulcast of network BBC One in high definition. From 03/11/2010

BBC One HD

The BBC South region started on 5th January 1961 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One South.

BBC One South HD

The BBC South West region started on 20th April 1961 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One South West.

BBC One South West HD

BBC One Yorkshire

BBC One West Midlands

BBC One South West

BBC One Yorkshire HD

BBC One South

The BBC East region started on 1st May 1959 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One East.

BBC One East

The BBC West region started on 1st September 1957 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One West.

BBC One West

BBC One West HD

BBC One Channel Islands HD

BBC One Nightlight

Formerly part of a wider BBC One South East region that included London and part of the South region. Separated from BBC One London 2001-09-03 following reorganisation of the South East region.

BBC One South East HD

Formerly part of a wider BBC One South East region. Separated as BBC One London 2001-09-03 following reorganisation of the South East region.

BBC One London HD

BBC One Cambridgeshire

BBC One region covering Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.

BBC One East Midlands HD

BBC One East Midlands

BBC One Yorks & Lincs HD

BBC One Yorks & Lincs

BBC One Channel Islands

BBC One East HD

BBC One North West HD

BBC One North East & Cumbria

BBC One North West

BBC One South East

BBC One Oxfordshire

BBC One Oxfordshire HD

BBC One Cambridgeshire HD

Simulcast of BBC One Scotland in high definition. From 14/01/2013

BBC One Scotland HD

Simulcast of BBC One Northern Ireland in high definition. From 24/10/2012

BBC One Northern Ireland HD

Simulcast of BBC One Wales in high definition. From 29/01/2013

BBC One Wales HD

BBC One Scotland

Scotland

BBC Northern Ireland region started on 19th April 1955 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One Northern Ireland.

BBC One Northern Ireland

BBC One Wales

Wales

BBC Three HD

Kim Rossiter

Mark Rossiter

Paul Wells

Fran Baker

Simon Dickson

Lorraine Charker-Phillips

Leanne Troop

Rosie Gray

Nick Cohen

Lynsey Masters

Soldier: Series 1: Episode 1

Episode 1

BBC One - Soldier, Series 1, Episode 1

Civilians get a shock to the system as they train to become frontline soldiers.

Fresh-faced civilians get a shock to the system at the British army’s Infantry Training Centre. How many of them have what it takes to become an infantry soldier?

Every year, almost 3,000 men and women are selected to join the British army’s Infantry Training Centre in Catterick, North Yorkshire. A gruelling six-month course will test them to the limit - physically and mentally. Have they got what it takes to operate as close combat warriors? Are they ready for action anywhere in the world? Only the very best will pass the test. 

This five-part series charts the transformation of one platoon as the new recruits leave friends and families behind. Those who are successful will become soldiers, at a time when war is raging in Europe for the first time in a generation. 

Amongst them is 21-year-old ex-footballer Curtis Dryden from Middlesbrough, who struggles to master the basics of army life. Callum Stretton, aged 17, is one of the youngest in the platoon and questions if he has got what it takes to kill on the front line. Eager to follow in the footsteps of her military family is 18-year-old Olivia Hall-Beakhouse, one of the females who have joined the infantry since frontline roles became available to women in 2018.

The 45 recruits tackle punishing obstacle courses, learn to handle and fire weapons, and undergo rigorous inspections. Crucially, they learn how to kill at close quarters using only a bayonet. Under the watchful eyes of Lt Wahab, Sgt McIntosh and Cpl White, recruits must prove they have the skills and attitude required to make it in the army. How many will pass out as soldiers in six months’ time?

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Soldier

Series 1

Episode 1

Contributors

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC One West Midlands HD

About BBC One