The government is set to launch a “gap year” program designed to offer school and college graduates an introduction to the Army, Royal Navy, or RAF without requiring a long-term commitment.
Targeting individuals under 25, the initiative aims to address ongoing recruitment and retention challenges within the armed forces.
Applications for the inaugural cohort of 150 recruits will open in the spring, with plans to expand the program to accommodate 1,000 young participants annually. While the program will offer compensation, salary details are yet to be disclosed by officials.
Defence Secretary John Healey emphasized that the scheme would equip young people with “incredible skills and training.” However, the Conservatives have voiced concerns regarding the limited number of initial recruits.
Participants in the “gap year” program will not be deployed on active duty, and the curriculum is currently under development.
According to the i newspaper, the Army scheme will involve 13 weeks of basic training as part of a two-year placement, while the Navy scheme will span a year and provide general training for sailors. The RAF scheme is reportedly in earlier stages of development.
The Army currently offers a separate program providing 30 gap year placements for prospective officer trainees before, during, or immediately after university, though enrollment has been limited, with fewer than 10 participants in the last academic year.
The new “gap year” scheme is expected to be more widely accessible.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) asserts that participants will develop leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, preparing them “for life,” regardless of whether they pursue a military career.
Officials hope the initiative will attract a more diverse pool of candidates to the armed forces, with some choosing to remain and pursue military careers.
“As families come together at this time of year, and young people think about their futures, I want the outstanding opportunities on offer in our armed forces to be part of that conversation in homes across the UK,” Healey stated.
The Defence Secretary echoed his remarks when announcing the government’s defense strategy in the summer, in which he said the threats the UK now faces require a “new era” of defence.
Healey also positioned the scheme as part of the government’s “whole-of-society approach” to defense and deterrence, including preventing a potential confrontation with Russia.
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge criticized the initiative, stating: “As ever with Labour, the reality does not match the spin.”
“A scheme involving just 150 participants is barely a pilot, let alone the ‘whole-of-society’ response they claim to be delivering.”
He added that, while the Australian scheme this one was based on “has its strengths”, the “tiny numbers do nothing for our war readiness”.
Cartlidge said the Tories were “serious about defending our country”, pointing to its proposal to move up to £50bn from climate and science funds into defence.
The “gap year” scheme was a recommendation of the government’s strategic defence review in June inspired by a similar scheme by the Australian Defence Force (ADF), which is open to young people aged between 17 and 24.
That scheme has been in operation for more than a decade, with applicants offered the chance “get a feel for military life while enjoying unique experiences you can’t find anywhere else”.
In 2023, 664 people enlisted, with a little more than half then going into a permanent role in the nation’s military.
The UK’s “gap year” program is part of several proposals to boost the number of people with military experience. The government also hopes to increase the number of cadets by 30%.
Other European nations – such as France and Germany – have recently re-introduced some form of voluntary national service in response to the threat posed by Russia.
Lord Richard Dannatt, who served as the head of the Army from 2006 to 2009, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the UK’s “gap year” scheme would have an impact “in the margins” when it came to the threat posed by Russia.
He said it would “play a little bit towards improving recruiting”, adding: “But rather more importantly, it gives a number of people who may well choose a different career path in life some exposure to the armed forces, some exposure to the discipline and problem solving skills.”
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