Soldier: For King and Country - Episode Guide

In this action-packed first episode, we dive into the heart of the Royal Welsh—one of the British Army's most decorated, oldest, and distinctive regiments. From battlefield grit to time-honoured tradition, they embody discipline, pride and elite military excellence.

Sergeant Major Fil Franco takes charge of Charlie Company, wrangling mentoring the youngest recruits into shape. Their first challenge? A relentless battle skills course in the unforgiving terrain of the Brecon Beacons.

Junior Lance Corporal Carl Mason steps up as section commander, hungry for promotion—but leadership on the ground might be tougher than expected. At the same time, a fresh fusilier faces his own rite of passage: firing his first live round from the warrior turret in hopes of qualifying as a gunner.

And far from the firing range, Veteran Sergeant Jackson, the celebrated Goat Major of The 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh, as an Army Reservist prepares for a very different mission: leading the opening ceremony at the Six Nations in Cardiff with his regal companion, Shenkin IV. With thousands watching, one question looms large—will the goat behave?

Legacy isn't given, it's earned. Welcome to the Royal Welsh.

This high-stakes episode follows the battalion's most senior officer Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Beard as he steps up to prove himself on the battlefield as a Warrior gunner. As the commanding officer he's in charge of the whole battalion but having never served with an armoured infantry regiment before, he must take the same tests as all the junior fusiliers to prove he can lead his soldiers into war.

But under pressure and with unforeseen conditions hampering his aim - can he make the cut or will he be left on the sidelines if he fails to qualify?

The Regiment has a long and proud history of boxing and Lance Corporal Cody O'Brian is eager to redeem himself after losing his last three bouts due to nerves. As the Regiment's star boxer all eyes are on him to help them retain the cup, and as he comes out fighting in front of his battalion can he hold it together to bring home the win?

In Otterburn, Northumbria the best junior soldiers from each Regiment have been selected to go head to head in a gruelling week-long test in a desperate bid for promotion to gain their first stripe and step up to Lance Corporal.

For Fusilier Cameron Howells-Ripley, stepping up to section commander puts him into the spotlight and under pressure to perform. Barely able to stand at one point, he's desperate to not come home empty handed and wants to make his family and Regiment proud. But has he done enough?

Charlie Company's Sergeant Major Fil Franco is in for the win, but with the most junior soldiers in the battalion, he's on the backfoot. His rival, Delta Company's Sergeant Major Andy Jones believes he has the upper hand. As the specialist company they have snipers on their side.

Wales' passion for rugby has seen the Royal Welsh become regular Army Cup champions and they are nearly always finalists. This year they are defending the Army Cup, but coach Colour sergeant Chris Allen has a squad of men who have barely trained together due to their demanding soldiering schedule. Having lost their first match, their next game is a must win to reach the playoffs and defend their title. But coach Chris Allen has a secret weapon, Fijian Corporal Masicola Aparosa, who he's persuaded to come out of retirement for this match. But recovering from injury can Masi do enough to help the team to victory against the mighty Royal Yorkshire Regiment?

The Warrior Fighting Vehicles are the lifeblood of the Regiment, carrying the troops into the heart of the action, surrounded by its protective walls and formidable firepower. For Sergeant Dai Britton who's in charge of the maintenance of these aging vehicles, his admiration for them is personal, after they saved his life in Afghanistan; and we head inside the glorious officers' mess, steeped in traditions and silver, it's a treasure trove of the Regiments past.

Company Sergeant Major Fil Franco gives his junior fusiliers from Charlie company their first taste of fighting alongside a Warrior armoured vehicle. Some of the soldiers get hands on with potential enemy weapon systems in a bid to give them more knowledge on the battlefield. There are also St David's Day celebrations, including a parade and early morning cups of tea with rum in them.