As students across the country find out their A-Level results today (14 August), 21-year-old Sophie Brining is successfully combining her university studies with an exciting Army adventure.
Generic Imagery - Army Nordic Skiing
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Second Lieutenant Sophie Brining
The Army Officer Internship programme has provided Sophie, a former pupil of Saint Paulinus Catholic Primary School in Guisborough and Yarm School in Teesside, with opportunities for leadership development, travel and adventure - all while earning a competitive salary.
"I was looking for a placement with a difference while at university. I didn’t want the usual industry placement, so I searched for Army opportunities and came across the Army Officer Internship Programme."
Currently serving as a Second Lieutenant with 2nd Battalion, The Rifles (2 RIFLES), Sophie’s journey into the Army began with a simple web search.
She said: “I was looking for a placement with a difference while at university. I didn’t want the usual industry placement, so I searched for Army opportunities and came across the Army Officer Internship Programme.”
The application process was straightforward, Sophie said. Two years into her Natural Sciences degree at Lancaster University, she has already gained invaluable experience that sets her apart from her peers.
Sophie’s role as a platoon commander in a Rifle Company has been both challenging and rewarding.
"I’ve been trusted to manage a platoon, which is a huge responsibility compared to just managing myself at university. It’s massively improved my organisational skills and confidence."
She added: “I’ve been trusted to manage a platoon, which is a huge responsibility compared to just managing myself at university. It’s massively improved my organisational skills and confidence.”
Sophie’s day to day duties with 2 RIFLES have included preparing her platoon for deployment to the Falkland Islands as part of the Roulement Infantry Company.
She has also organised social events, such as the Officers’ summer party, and has enjoyed the camaraderie of mess life.
One of the standout features of the Army Officer Internship Programme is the variety of experiences it offers young officers, including worldwide travel.
Sophie has visited over ten countries in just one year. From participating in NATO’s largest land-based exercise in Romania to observing and mentoring on exercise in Estonia, Sophie’s role has taken her to the heart of multi-national military operations.
Sophie has also competed in the Army Nordic Skiing Championships with her team making history by becoming the first female infantry team to win the competition.
"It was an incredible experience to train and compete in places like Sweden, France, Germany, and Austria."
She said: “It was an incredible experience to train and compete in places like Sweden, France, Germany, and Austria.”
Based in Northern Ireland with 2 RIFLES, Sophie has found the location to be a hidden gem, saying: “I love Northern Ireland, it’s beautiful, and there’s so much to do at weekends.”
From exploring the Giant’s Causeway and the castles along the North Coast to hiking in Tollymore Forest Park, enjoying live music in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, and a weekend break in Galway, Sophie has made the most of her time there.
The financial benefits of being based in Northern Ireland are also worth noting. In addition to her Army Officer Intern salary of around £23,000, Sophie receives the Northern Ireland Resident Supplement, an extra £3,000 annually, and ten free flights per year to anywhere in Great Britain.
While Sophie chose the Infantry, the Army Officer Internship Programme offers placements across a wide range of cap badges, including the Royal Armoured Corps, Royal Artillery, Corps of Royal Engineers, Royal Army Medical Services and Royal Logistic Corps.
"The Army has given me the confidence to take on challenges I never thought I could handle."
The programme is designed to give students a taste of Army life before, during or after university with the flexibility to return to their studies and decide on their future path, while earning a competitive salary.
Candidates can apply if they have an offer from university, so for their gap year, until two years after graduating.
Sophie’s experience highlights the unique benefits of the programme: leadership development, multi-national travel, and the chance to make lifelong friends.
She said: “The Army has given me the confidence to take on challenges I never thought I could handle.”
For more information about the Army Officer Internship Programme, visit the Army Jobs website.
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