A soldier is a member of a military organization, generally tasked with aiding military defense. Within an army, a soldier may have dozens of different jobs, each of which require specialized training and aptitude. Some of the many jobs a soldier might train for include combat positions, engineering, medicine, and intelligence careers.
Combat positions are what most people think of when they imagine the life of a soldier. While most soldiers are trained for combat, many go on to join other careers that focus on different skills. Combat-based soldiers train in a variety of weapon, hand-to-hand, and defensive tactics, and may be deployed all over the world, on both combat and peacekeeping missions. Many combat soldiers are called infantrymen, and serve as the primary ground force in a mission. An infantryman must be in excellent physical shape and enjoy working as part of a team.
Soldiers with construction or mechanical skills may choose to become army engineers. These professionals help build and maintain equipment and facilities for military use. Combat engineers are often deployed to help set up outposts, hospitals, bridges, and other facilities during a mission. Geospatial engineers help create maps and models of terrain, to assist in tactical planning. Soldiers can even become carpenters, plumbers, and electricians for the army.
A soldier with a desire to help others may be able to train for a medical or emergency care position. Qualified doctors, dentists, and mental health professionals may be able to qualify for army careers. Army veterinarians help care for service animals, but also perform public outreach work with animals around the world. Army doctors and health care specialists can be sent into the field with combat troops, and need advanced training in emergency and field care. For some jobs in the medical field, a soldier will need previous civilian training in medicine, and may need a full medical degree.
Soldiers working in intelligence careers assist ground troop operations and help discover important information that can affect military operations. Soldiers with multiple language skills can become translators or interpreters, and may be sent to help ease operations all over the world. Cryptologists help find and break codes, which can provide valuable information about enemy movement and plans. Intelligence officers help gather and interpret information from foreign powers, through a wide variety of observation techniques. Through their work, intelligence soldiers can help protect troops on the ground and may be able to devise safer, more effective missions.
