Sword Lane: A true test of a soldier's skill under pressure with focused aggression

Sword Lane is a true test of a soldier's skill under pressure – a right of passage for The Rifles.

The British Army's largest infantry regiment uses Sword Lane to focus on controlled aggression, and it has been a tradition for the Rifles for hundreds of years.

It sees soldiers move on difficult ground while attacking the 'enemy' along the way with their 'swords', which the rest of the Army would call their bayonets.

• Earning your stripes: A soldier's first step up the ranks to lance corporal
• Ex-Army officer credits 'invaluable' military training after historic solo ski to South Pole
• Cadets complete Royal Military Academy Sandhurst officer training with special parade

The exercise involves a technique that would only be used in desperate conditions, where ammunition is low and the enemy is fast approaching at very close range.

Over seven weeks, BFBS Forces News was granted exclusive access to the latest Junior NCO Cadre run by 1 Rifles where Sword Lane was among the wide range of tests.

They are assessed on their basic soldiering skills, fitness, ability to lead in the field, maintaining safety on firing ranges as well as having to perform drill and pass parade inspections.

For a private soldier, the Junior Non-Commissioned Officer Cadre is the first shot at promotion in the British Army.

Earning the first stripe on their rank slide and becoming a lance corporal is a significant step up.