British Army basic training (BT) and initial trade training (ITT) enable personnel to develop role-related physical capability to perform in-service job-roles. The study aimed to compare physical performance of trainees (completing ITT) and trained soldiers, on a series of gym-based fitness tests and representative military tasks. A total of 316 British Army personnel [68 trainees (63 men: 22±3 years, 71.6±8.4kg, 1.74±0.07m), 248 trained soldiers (225 men: 27±6 years, 78.7±12.7kg, 1.76±0.08m)] completed two sessions. Session 1; body mass, stature, age and gym-based tests (2-km run, broad jump, seated medicine ball throw, hex bar deadlift, 100m shuttle sprints, pull-ups, mid-thigh pull). Session 2; Representative Military Tasks (loaded carriage [Stage 1, 4-km, 35-40kg, 4.8km·h-1 fixed pace; Stage 2, 2-km, 20-25kg, individual best-effort speed], tactical movement, casualty drag, stretcher carry, vertical lift, repeated carry, incremental lift). Independent sample t-tests were employed to examine group differences. Compared to trainees, trained soldiers were older (p<0.001), heavier (p<0.001), and scored higher on broad jump (p=0.024), medicine ball throw (p=0.007), and mid-thigh pull (p=0.048) but were slower on 2-km run (p=0.047), loaded carriage (p<0.019), tactical movement (p<0.001), and casualty drag (p<0.001). Overall, trainees achieve higher scores on aerobic/anaerobic tests whereas trained soldiers outperform trainees in strength/power-based tests. Although a cross-sectional comparison does not provide strong evidence, the results may indicate that cardiovascular fitness is developed during BT, whereas muscle strength/power develops post BT/ITT. These findings would need confirming by a longitudinal study and could inform the development/management of role-related fitness during BT, ITT, and through career.