The Battalion is paired with 5 RIFLES and its principal mission is to train and prepare Reserve Riflemen for front line Armoured Infantry operations, where they serve alongside and integrated within Regular RIFLES units.

Reserve service in 7 RIFLES allows individuals to work outside the Army and yet commit to being a Rifleman part time. Training takes place over periodic weekends throughout the year, training nights during the week and for a consolidated 2-week period each year. Attendance at any specific training event is voluntary to take account of an individual's civilian commitments. Reserve Riflemen are paid for the training they undertake and can earn a financial bonus at the end of each year. The Training is varied, based upon the sort of skills all people need and includes: military training, adventurous training, fitness training and sport, together with overseas travel.

Reserve Riflemen wishing to commit to further training or an operational tour alongside a Regular unit have the opportunity to do so. Ex Regular Army officers and soldiers are very welcome and joining the Reserve may attract a financial bonus.

Looking to join the Reserves

The Roles available within 7 RIFLES are not restricted to Infantry, allowing a wider choice of part time jobs to be available:

• Combat Infantryman
• Military chefs
• Combat medics
• Human resources specialist
• Musicians

At present woman may join 7 RIFLES in any of the above list non-Infantry roles, with woman being able to join Infantry roles from 2018.

Please take a look at our Join Us page for more information on Joining the Reserves as well as details on locations and timings for their weekly training evening.

• 7 RIFLES is based across London and the Southeast of England.

• The battalion is partnered with 5 RIFLES and has deployed over 300 Riflemen on operations in recent years.

• 7 RIFLES has its own 30 strong marching band; the Waterloo Band and Bugles who perform ceremonial duties.

Lance Corporal Michael Paddock

"I joined 7 RIFLES in 2010 while studying at university to do something different with my spare time and earn some extra money. The most interesting deployment I have enjoyed was to Afghanistan in 2013 with our sister Battalion 5 RIFLES. This was a challenging experience but did a great deal to develop me as a Rifleman. I am really excited about the future for 7 RIFLES as we're currently training to be Armoured Infantry. This is a first for the Reserves and will open up much more opportunity when working with our partnered Regular Battalion, 5 RIFLES."

Captain Richard Wilton

"I left 4 RIFLES in 2014 to pursue opportunities outside of the Army and be based in London. Upon starting my second career, I found that whilst enjoying my time doing something different; there were aspects of my time with The Rifles that I missed. It was at this point that I became a Reservist in 7 RIFLES, allowing me to both progress in my civilian role and in The Rifles. 7 RIFLES has been instrumental in developing me as a person and I have used my experience to help mentor those young officers arriving into the 7th Battalion."