AC 63812

A British
Soldier’s
Values and
Standards

V A L U E S

A N D

S T A N D A R D S

O F

T H E

B R I T I S H

A R M Y

FOREWORD BY THE HEAD OF THE ARMY
Humans are naturally team players, we all seek the company of others and like to share our experiences. The British Army is the ultimate team. It has an excellent reputation across the World, which is built on trust.
A lot is expected of you as a British Soldier; you will be required to serve in dangerous places, risk your life for your teammates and put up with uncomfortable conditions.
Our Values and Standards are essential to the British Army, they define what the British soldier is. They are more than just words, we must all believe in them and live by them. I expect you to
The Army’s Standards are designed to ensure that all our behaviour is:
• lawful
• appropriate
• and totally professional
Low standards, both professional and personal, damage the team. This might cause failure on operations, with soldiers getting seriously injured and killed. This is why the
Army depends on high standards, and why it has a more demanding approach towards certain types of behaviour and relationships than the rest of society.

V A L U E S

Lawful

A N D

S T A N D A R D S

O F

T H E

B R I T I S H

A R M Y

OBEY THE LAW, ALL THE TIME,
WHEREVER YOU ARE SERVING
All soldiers are subject to the law wherever they are serving.
On operations this includes international law, the laws of armed conflict and, in some cases, local civil law.
The Army needs to be tough and aggressive and in doing your job, you will face people who break the law. This does not mean you can break the law. You must always keep your self-control, however angry or provoked you might be, because no soldier is ever above the law.

V A L U E S

Appropriate
Behaviour

A N D

S T A N D A R D S

O F

T H E

B R I T I S H

A R M Y

DON’T OFFEND OTHERS
Trust underpins all our behaviour.
Therefore, because our job depends upon:
• putting others’ needs