SWIFT AND BOLD
The Rifles is a large regiment with four Regular and three Reserve Battalions; and a strong link to 4 RANGERS. We offer our people the widest range of Infantry roles and locations in the British Army.
Our officers and soldiers have the greatest opportunities to be based close to their home, the widest career options and the high likelihood of deployments overseas.
Got any questions, or interested in joining The Rifles? Contact us via our enquiry form
Our Four Regular Battalions
1 RIFLES - Light Infantry
1 RIFLES is a Regular Light Infantry Roled Battalion of around 620 Riflemen, based in Beachley Barracks, Chepstow, on the border between Wales and Gloucestershire. It operates within the 1st Division at continual readiness to deploy on operations and training missions worldwide. Since 2007, 1 RIFLES has deployed on five tours to Iraq and Afghanistan, together with numerous other operations, particularly in the Middle East, North and West Africa and Eastern Europe. In 2021 alone the battalion has had Riflemen deployed to The Gambia, Kenya, the Falkland Islands, Nigeria, Canada, the Caribbean, Estonia and the USA. The battalion was significant committed to the national COVID effort, with Riflemen deployed across the UK. 1 RIFLES will shortly deploy to Cyprus in 2023 for a 2-year tour and will on a UN peacekeeping tour, and is poised to deploy small teams of thinking fighting Riflemen on overseas missions at short notice in line with the UK’s updated Defence strategyconvert from its Light Infantry to Mechanised Infantry Role, on return to Chepstow in 2025, as part of the Army’s Future Soldier Programme.
The battalion is ideally placed to avail of excellent training facilities located close by, with Brecon, Caerwent and the Salisbury Plain training areas all within a one hour’s drive. 1 RIFLES occupies its own camp in Beachley Barracks alongside The Rifles Training Team, allowing our Riflemen to hone their skills with excellent facilities at hand. The battalion has very strong rugby and cycling teams, competing at the highest level of Army sport in these disciplines.
Being based in Chepstow, between Cardiff and Bristol, means that the battalion has very good transport connections to the whole of the UK.
2 RIFLES - Light Infantry
2 RIFLES is a Light Infantry Battalion based in Northern Ireland. We areIt is aligned to the Middle East and East Africa, creating exciting opportunities for exercising overseas and operational deployments- Kenya, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Jordan to name a few. The Light Infantry Role means weit often trains on foot and in complex terrain; from African scrubland to dense urban areas - we are2 RIFLES is at the cutting edge of soldiering and skirmishing.
2 RIFLES is home to the Regimental Boxing Team, which competes across the Army and is always recruiting. To assist movement home from Northern Ireland, Riflemen are entitled to 12 travel-warrants annually to cover air/ferry/rail costs, and when in barracks, Riflemen receive an additional £7.58 extra pay daily (approx. £220 a month), alongside four long weekends annually. Of course, for married Riflemen there is always the opportunity to move families with you to service accommodation. For those who wish to explore ‘Game of Thrones’ country, Belfast is only a short drive, whilst the coast is surf-ready!
3 RIFLES - Mechanised Infantry
3 RIFLES is a Regular Infantry Battalion of around 745 Riflemen, based in Dreghorn Barracks, Edinburgh, and operates within 3rd (UK) Division - 'The Iron Division' - the only division at continual operational readiness in the UK. Since 2007, 3 RIFLES has deployed on five tours to Iraq and Afghanistan, together with numerous other operations and training missions worldwide, particularly in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
3 RIFLES is one of just three selected 'Strike' Infantry Battalions within the British Army. and will be equipped with the new BOXER vehicle to provide a better, more protected and agile force that will be able to self-deploy thousands of kilometres with minimal logistical support. This exciting new role plays to the strengths of The Rifles, in which Riflemen have always been known for their ability to operate on their initiative, deep in the battlefield. 3 RIFLES will convert to the new and challenging Security Force Assistance Battalion Role as part of the Future Soldier Programme; which will see small teams of Riflemen deploy on exciting overseas training missions.
Edinburgh has very good transport connections to the whole of the UK. In particular, Riflemen from Scotland, North- East England and Yorkshire find it easy to get home most weekends.
4 RANGERS - Land Special Operations Unit
The Ranger Regiment is an important contribution of the Army’s new global posture and was established as part of Future Soldier, the biggest transformation of the British Army in over 20 years.
It is part of the newly established Army Special Operations Brigade. It will be routinely deployed alongside partner forces around the world to counter Violent Extremist Organisations and hostile state threats.
4 RIFLES transitioned to 4 RANGERS on 1 December 2021. They are one of four battalions in the Brigade. 4 RANGERS remain based in Aldershot, Hampshire.
5 RIFLES - Armoured Infantry
5 RIFLES is based in Bulford, Wiltshire as an Armoured Infantry battalion, equipped with the Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicle. As one of the most potent war-fighting infantry battalions, it is a part of the 20th Armoured Infantry Brigade within 3rd (UK) Division. The Future The Future Soldier Programme sees 5 RIFLES convert to BOXER and remain in Bulford as one of just 4 newly equipped battalions.
Having been the last unit in Afghanistan in 2014, it was the first to be deployed in NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence in Estonia (Operation CABRIT). The Battalion has previously served in Iraq, and has a reputation for being the first in and last out on operations.
As the largest of The Rifles Regular Battalions, 5 RIFLES has supported the other Battalions for overseas exercises in the US, Kenya and Belize, in addition to its own regular training commitments in Canada and the USA.
5 RIFLES is the Regiment’s champion for cross-country and cricket but maintains a host of sports teams including rugby and football. Adventurous Training is also popular, and during the first deployment in Estonia, the Battalion sailed a yacht out to the Baltic from the UK, before returning at the end of Op CABRIT 1.
Our Locations
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1 RIFLES
Beachley Barracks, Beachley Road, CHEPSTOW, Wales, NP16 7YG Telephone: 01291 645 220
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2 RIFLES
Thiepval Barracks, Magheralave Road, LISBURN, Northern Ireland, BFPO 801 Telephone: 02892 262 133
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3 RIFLES
Dreghorn Barracks, Redford Road, EDINBURGH, Midlothian, EH13 9QW Telephone: 0131 102 727
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5 RIFLES
Ward Barracks,Bulford Station, SALISBURY, Wiltshire, SP4 9NA Telephone: 01980 672 794
Our Equipment
Warrior
Foxhound
Husky
Mastiff
RWMIK Land Rover
SA80 Individual Weapon
L115A3 Long Range 'Sniper' Rifle
L129A1 Sharpshooter Rifle
81mm Mortar
Combat Shotgun
General Purpose Machine Gun
Grenade Machine Gun
Quad Bike
Heavy Machine Gun
Light Machine Gun
SA80 Individual Weapon
Our Benefits
Pay
The pay you'll receive each month is just one element of the package.
Earn £15,985 during training. When you have completed 26 week’s service or finished basic trade training – whichever comes first, your pay will rise to £20,400.
You will also receive access to a free gym and a non-contributory pension. We offer unique early promotion opportunities that allow you to move up the pay scale swiftly after completing training. This means you can promote to the rank of Lance Corporal earlier than in any other infantry regiment.
The professional courses we offer allow you to develop your skills and increase your potential. Completing these courses means you can take on more responsibility and potentially earn more money.
#WeReleasePotential
Qualifications and Training
As a Rifleman you will work alongside some of the finest infantry soldiers in the world; our battle worthiness, marksmanship and field craft are second to none. We also want you to be skilled in other areas, which is why we encourage our soldiers to continue their education through vocational and practical courses:
- All driving licences
- ILM Team Leading Award
- Public Services Apprenticeships in Security,
- Communications, Engineering, Carry and Deliver Goods, and Storage and Warehousing
- BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Relief Operations Skills
- NVQ Level 2 Public Service
#WeAreSkilled
HEALTHCARE
During service you'll receive free dental care and free prescriptions as well as support from the British Army's physiotherapy and rehabilitation teams if required.
ACCOMMODATION
The Army will provide you with housing if required. The Future Accommodation Model is currently reviewing the service housing offering, making sure that it's fit for 21st century families.
Joining as a Regular
Find out more about the Soldier Recruitment Process
Interested in becoming a RIFLES Officer? Find out more about the Officer Recruitment Steps
Looking to join The Rifles? For more information, fill out a Recruiting Interest Form
Infantry Training Centre Catterick
Band and Bugles Inspection
THE BRITISH ARMY'S LARGEST INFANTRY REGIMENT
The Rifles is looking for quality people just like you right now. To speak to someone about joining the infantry and becoming a Rifleman, please get in touch with The Rifles’ Engagement Team.
RIFLES Engagement Warrant Officer can be contacted by Phone, Text or WhatsApp - 07971 893807 or on [email protected]