Joining the Army

The army does, however, have an appealing side. It offers job security, training in a variety of useful trades, overseas travel and the opportunity to earn good money.

Try before you sign

Before you choose to enlist, it is a good idea to speak to someone at your local Army Careers centre, which can be found in the phonebook. You can book an appointment or simply drop in.

You can get a taste of military life by spending two days at a recruit selection centre arranged by your careers office, where you will be able to talk to recruits who have already begun training, be assessed for physical fitness and mental aptitude, and have an interview with an officer.

Entry requirements

If you then choose to become a professional soldier, you must fulfil several criteria.

You don’t need any qualifications to join as a soldier, but you must be aged between 16 and 33.

To sign up as an officer you need to be aged 17 years and nine months and 28, and have a minimum of 35 ALIS points for the best 7 subjects at GCSE or equivalent, including English Language, Maths and either a Science subject or a Foreign Language at grade C or better, plus a minimum of two passes at A-level grades A-E or equivalent.

You will need parental consent if you're under 18 years old.

Second, you must be a resident of the UK or Irish Republic, have lived there for at least the past five years and be eligible to hold a British passport.

The army demands that all its recruits are in good physical condition. You will be expected to pass a medical exam and a number of simple physical fitness tests. If you fail to reach the minimum required standard, your application is likely to be declined.

Signing up

Should you fulfil all requirements, you will then be able to enlist. Most non-commissioned soldiers choose to serve what is known as an open engagement, so they can stay in the army for up to 22 years. As a new recruit you will be committed to a minimum of four years, or four years from your 18th birthday if you are under 18. Should you decide that military life is not for you, you must give notice within the first three months, or six months if you are under 18.

Some specialist training requires that you serve a fixed minimum period, and you must give a year’s notice if you choose to resign after your initial army training.

Officers usually take a short service commission, committing themselves to at least three years in the army – which begins after they complete their training at Sandhurst.

After enlisting, you will be notified of when you are expected to report for training at one of the army’s centres around the UK. Your initial instruction in basic army skills – such as drilling and rifle combat – will last 12 weeks, after which you will continue with infantry or specialist training.

For further reading visit the Army website or see the UK Net Guide articles Careers in the RAF and Joining the Royal Navy.