Police are investigating claims that a soldier was degraded in an alleged initiation ceremony.
The 19-year-old private is said to have had a vacuum cleaner placed on his penis during the ordeal at the hands of colleagues in 2 Battalion The Royal Green Jackets at their barracks in Bulford, Wiltshire.
A video of the alleged incident has reportedly been passed to Royal Military Police (RMP) investigators.
Officers are also looking into claims that the soldier was chained to an upright bed frame, had cigarettes stubbed out on his chest, beer poured over him and hair on his bottom burnt.
The alleged victim is now absent without leave, an Army spokeswoman said.
"We can confirm that the SIB (special investigations branch of the RMP) are investigating an alleged initiation ceremony at 2 Battalion Royal Green Jackets based in Bulford," she said.
"RMPs are looking at allegations where at least one private was subjected to bullying.
"The Army has a zero tolerance policy on bullying. These sorts of incident are very rare."
She said the private joined the battalion in February 2004 and the alleged incident happened in November 2005.
Three members of the battalion have been interviewed and subsequently released, she said.
