Infantry Officer - Reserve

Lieutenant Alex Boyer 4 MERCIAN 

"I joined 4 Mercian in August 2020 after failing Army Officer Selection Board (AOSB) Mainboard with aspirations of doing a gap year commission. Even though I was a young 18 year old who knew nothing about the army I was welcomed with open arms by my Officer Commanding  and Headquarter Company who said they would develop me to give AOSB another go. This would end up being the best thing that has ever happened to me.

I completed my phase 1 soldier training at Army Training Regiment Winchester before starting my studies in History at the University of Exeter. The battalion fully supported me whilst I was at university, allowing me to complete part of my officer training whilst attached to Exeter University Officer Training Core. After the first year, I completed my Combat Infantry Course, becoming a fully qualified infantry soldier and went on attachment to 6 Rifles, allowing me to conduct infantry training and further develop myself despite being over 100 miles away from 4 Mercian. I then passed AOSB on my second attempt in December 2022.

In 2023 I completed the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst short course and became platoon commander in 4 MECIAN, at Kidderminster Anti-Tank Platoon and later the Worcester Rifle Platoon. In 2024 I passed Platoon Commanders Battle Course (Reserve) after graduating at University. Following this I later went overseas to Morocco and Spain whilst still attached to 6 Rifles and spent some time on exercise Iron Cyclone with 1 Mercian. From January to June 2025 I went travelling to Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Texas, to get some non-military development before joining the regular army in September 2025.

I have had the best time with 4 MERCIAN, and I owe the battalion and its soldiers an immeasurable debt for seeing the potential in me and helping to develop me into a future regular army officer."

Infantry Officers are dynamic, charismatic, and enthusiastic leaders who have the privilege to command the soldiers that make up the Army's most critical capability, often in the toughest and most demanding settings.

You have a rifle platoon at your command. These highly skilled soldiers are trained to operate in all environments and all types of conflict. Your troops rely on you for leadership, guidance and support, on operations and exercises, wherever you are in the world. You are responsible for your troops’ morale, welfare and career development. On the front line, their lives are in your hands. If it sounds daunting, don’t worry intensive training will teach you everything you need to know.  

• Command highly trained front-line soldiers as an Infantry Platoon Commander.
• Deploy around the world on everything from front-line operations to disaster relief missions.
• Serve in one of 19 Infantry Regiments. Each has its own unique history and identity.
• Get trained in Armoured, Airborne, Mechanised, Light Mechanised or Light Role tactics.
• Specialise as a Company Second-in-Command, Anti-Tank, Mortar, Reconnaissance, Intelligence or Communications Officer further down the line.