Soldier

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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.

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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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