Soldier

Editorial

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

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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

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

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

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BBC One region covering Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.

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

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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

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Kim Rossiter

Mark Rossiter

Lorraine Charker-Phillips

Simon Dickson

Fran Baker

Leanne Troop

Rosie Gray

Paul Wells

Hannah Briere-Edney

John Murphy

Label1 Television Ltd

Soldier: Series 1: Episode 4

Episode 4

BBC One - Soldier, Series 1, Episode 4

From sky-high to rock bottom - infantry training continues to test the young recruits.

Can the young men and women pass their toughest fitness test so far? One recruit goes from flying high to jeopardising a place in the platoon.

The platoon heads out to their most challenging exercise to date, but there is one recruit who isn’t joining them. Pte Curtis Dryden surprised everyone by not returning after leave and is declared Awol. His case is escalated to company commander, Capt Gardner.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Pte Callum Stretton reflects on the journey so far. Out on exercise, Callum’s maturity and confidence are put to the test. He is given the role of leading his section. Lying in wait are the Gurkhas, who are charged with playing the role of the enemy. After a difficult start to the exercise, Callum tries to redeem himself and cooks for his superiors.

Pte Olivia Hall-Beakhouse is flying high. She is one of only three female recruits left in the platoon and proves she has a cool head when put in charge of protecting and leading her section. She receives praise from the training officers and a senior infantry colonel who makes a surprise spot check out in the field. But after days in the field with little sleep or any of life’s normal comforts, the pressure takes its toll on everyone, including Pte Olivia Hall- Beakhouse. Her progress is now under serious review by Lt Wahab.

All platoon members are put through their paces to see if they can meet the army’s gruelling fitness test. After an endurance march over rough terrain, they face a 2km run they have to complete in under 15 minutes carrying 20kg. Failing the test is not an option. Who will make it across the line in time?

The recruits are tested on the realities of urban warfare. During the middle of the night, they cross miles of countryside to conduct a surprise attack on an urban training facility known as Whinny Hill. Here, the recruits experience the twists and turns of fighting in buildings where the enemy conceal themselves and take aim from on high. Complex tactics are put to the test as they must hunt out the enemy amongst the civilians. At the end of the exercise, all eyes are on those that have underperformed. Who will make it through to the final stage of training?

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