Click here to read the biography of the Regimental Colonel’s biography.

Click here to read the biography of the Force Sergeant Major.

General Overview

Infantry soldiers are the backbone of all armies.   Often referred to as foot soldiers, it is the job of the infantry to close with the enemy and destroy them.  All the other elements of armies are organised to support the infantry in achieving this aim.   The largest unit of the infantry in the JDF is the battalion.  A battalion is a fully independent unit and has all the elements it needs to sustain itself in battle.

Training for the infantryman is varied and comprehensive.   Every infantryman is trained in weaponry and marksmanship, fieldcraft, tactics, map reading and navigation, communications, first aid, survival techniques, physical fitness, etc.   To become a fully trained infantryman takes dedication, intelligence and a will to succeed.

To accomplish the mission not only must the infantryman be well trained but must also be well equipped.   The current personal weapon of the infantryman is the Self-Loading Rifle (SLR).   This weapon has proven itself to be a reliable and effective weapon and is popular with its users.    Other weapons used by the infantry are the 7.62mm General Purpose Weapon Machine Gun (GPMG) at section and platoon level; the Heavy Barrel Automatic (HBA), 5.56mm Individual Weapon (WI) (SA80), the Sterling Submachine Gun (SMG) 9mm, Grenade Launcher (M79), the 51mm mortar, and the 81mm Mortar at battalion level.