Humanity seems to have a predilection for conflict. And over the course of human history, societies have built up larger and larger armies to fight in their name. However, armed forces aren’t just there to wage war – in peacetime, their duties may involve humanitarian work or the enforcement of the laws of the land. And of course, they are often caught up in their home country’s internal politics, as demonstrated by the military coups that continue to take place with alarming regularity. Here, a selection of images drawn from the archives of the Royal Geographical Society show soldiers from around the world.