Armed Forces 


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Armed Forces career information 

Please scroll down (listed in Alphabetical order)

The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, a part of the British Armed Forces along with the Naval Service and the Royal Air Force. As of 1 January 2024, the British Army comprises 75,166 regular full-time personnel, 4,062 Gurkhas, 26,244 volunteer reserve personnel and 4,557 "other personnel", for a total of 110,029.

 <Accessed 2024>



Information on what the Army can offer you click here:

https://apply.army.mod.uk/what-we-offer


Joining the Army:

To join the Army, you need to meet a set of basic requirements. These include telling us about your age, nationality, health and fitness. We will also ask you about your education and qualifications, but this is to help to find the right role for you. You can still join the Army if you have no formal qualifications. 

https://apply.army.mod.uk/how-to-join/can-i-join?

https://apply.army.mod.uk/how-to-join/joining-process


How old do you need to be?

You can join the Army as a soldier from age 16, and as an officer from 18. 

https://apply.army.mod.uk/how-to-join/can-i-join/age


ARMY CADETS

https://armycadets.com/

If you're between 12 and 18 you can enjoy sports, expeditions, outdoor adventure and loads of Army-themed activities as a member of the Army Cadet Force.

You can learn survival skills and weapons handling, work towards a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and even get some extra qualifications.

RESPECT FOR OTHERS

No matter what situation you are in, you must show respect and tolerance for other people and be able to put yourself in their shoes.

SELFLESS COMMITMENT

The needs of the team always come before your own needs. Soldiers are part of something bigger and must commit to it.

COURAGE

Soldiers and officers must know what the right thing to do is and be brave enough to do it.

INTEGRITY

Soldiers must always be honest, sincere, reliable and selfless. Soldiers must be loyal to the Army and be ready to do as it asks. The country relies upon it.

DISCIPLINE

The Army has to be a disciplined force, so every soldier needs to follow the rules and be responsible for themselves.

LOYALTY

Loyalty is about supporting your team, looking after and helping them even when the going gets tough. In return, they do the same for you.

Types of roles -Army careers

All jobs in the Army fall into one of the following areas:

https://apply.army.mod.uk/what-we-offer/army-life/career-streams


What are my entry options?

https://apply.army.mod.uk/how-to-join/entryoptions


What roles are there?


The Army has many different careers available for people wanting to join as a soldier or officer. The types of roles available are combat; engineering; HR, finance and support; intelligence, communications and IT; medical; logistics and support; and music.

There are over 100 different roles available, for people looking for a job either full time or part time.

Explore our roles, and find your perfect Army career.

https://apply.army.mod.uk/roles


Apprenticeships 

Soldiers - Army Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship is a way to gain recognised qualifications while on the job and getting paid, making them the perfect alternative if learning in a classroom isn't for you.

You’ll do the apprenticeship most relevant to your job role, or an equivalent nationally recognised qualification, as part of your initial trade training. The courses are designed with other employers, ensuring the training is to industry standards and approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

https://jobs.army.mod.uk/regular-army/what-you-get/apprenticeships-skills/

Your apprenticeship will be on one of the following areas:


The type of apprenticeship you end up completing will depend on your chosen role in the Army.

How to apply - Army careers

Whether you are joining as a soldier or an officer, full time or as a part time Reservist, joining the Army starts with an online application.

Once you've submitted your application, you'll be guided through the process by a Recruiter or Candidate Support Manager. 

https://www.army.mod.uk/careers/

https://apply.army.mod.uk/roles

https://apply.army.mod.uk/how-to-join/joining-process

Need further help, find your local Army careers office:

https://apply.army.mod.uk/army-career-centre-finder

https://apply.army.mod.uk/army-career-centre-finder/preston


PARENTS AND GUARDIANS

Click below for the Answers to some of the most common worries that parents have. Remember, you are always welcome to talk to the staff in the local career centres if you want to know more:

https://apply.army.mod.uk/what-we-offer/army-life/parent-and-guardian

Army - Fitness test

ASSESSMENT CENTRE FITNESS TESTS

Everyone joining the Army will need to pass a fitness test.

If you're looking to join as a soldier, you'll go through a range of strength and stamina tests, as well as a run. The tests that you'll take as part of this training have recently changed. 

The assessment centre fitness tests have been updated to help reflect the types of tasks that soldiers carry out in their everyday lives. They are not harder, and the training that you've done towards the old tests will also help you through the new ones.

For more information click here: https://apply.army.mod.uk/how-to-join/can-i-join/fitness/physical-entry-standards

WHAT ARE THE TESTS I NEED TO PASS TO JOIN AS AN OFFICER?

There are specific tests you'll need to take during officer selection and the pre-entry tests.

You need to run between two lines, 20m apart in time with a beep. The beeps get steadily faster. Your score is based on the point where you can no longer keep up. 

You will also take the following tests in addition to the multistage fitness test and the obstacle course:

Throw a 4kg medicine ball, from a seated position

Standing in front of a bar set to mid-thigh height, you'll be asked to pull the bar upwards for 5 seconds

<Accessed 2024>

Army - Career Videos 

Click here for useful videos showcasing Army life:

https://apply.army.mod.uk/thelocker

https://www.youtube.com/c/britisharmy

The Royal Air Force is the United Kingdom's aerial warfare force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. 

<Accessed 2024>

Information on what the RAF can offer you click here:

https://www.raf.mod.uk/

https://www.raf.mod.uk/what-we-do/overview/


Joining the RAF:

https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/find-your-role

https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/apply


How old do you need to be?

Usually 16- 48 years old


AIR CADETS

https://www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets/

The cadet experience is open to everyone, so whatever your nationality, background or ability, whether you're male or female, if you're between 13, or at age 12 when beginning school year 8 (England & Wales), S2 (Scotland) Yr 9 (Northern Ireland) and 17 years old you can join us.

The maximum age for entry is 17 years old, therefore you can request to join us anytime between your 12th and 17th birthday. If you are above that age group and still want to enjoy all of our activities and more, you could join as a volunteer. Find out more on in our Volunteer Section. 


RAF- Types of roles

https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/find-your-role

Engineering roles:

https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/engineering

Apprenticeships:

https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/apprenticeships

They currently more than 20 roles to choose from that come with RAF apprenticeships rated Outstanding by Ofsted. They are available in a broad and diverse range of professions including aviation operations, engineering, hospitality & catering and IT. <Accessed2024>

Graduates: 

https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/graduates

Reserves:

https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/reserves

RAF- how to apply

https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/apply

You can look using the link above on the various roles and register your interest. 

RAF- Fitness Test 

https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/fitness-in-the-raf

Everyone who joins the RAF must pass a fitness test.


Pre-Joining Fitness Test

The test is called the Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT). To pass, you’ll need to run 1.5 miles (2.4km) on a treadmill within a set time. Then you’ll need to do a minimum number of press-ups and sit-ups within a minute. The time limit for the run and the number of press-ups and sit-ups will depend on your age and gender.

RAF- career videos

Click here for useful videos showcasing RAF life:

https://www.youtube.com/user/royalairforce

The Royal Navy (RN) is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, and a component of His Majesty's Naval Service. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against France. The modern Royal Navy traces its origins to the early 16th century; the oldest of the UK's armed services, it is consequently known as the Senior Service.

<Accessed 2024>

Information on what the Royal Navy can offer you click here:

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/madeintheroyalnavy

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/royal-marines


Joining the Royal Navy:

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/role-finder?service=submarine-service

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/defence-aptitude-assessment-information-and-practice

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/joining/post-application


How old do you need to be?

You need to be aged 16 or over to join the Royal Navy. If you're under the age of 18, you will need the consent of a parent or guardian. You can find out the age requirements for each job by using our Role Finder. 

You can join the Royal Navy if you’re aged 16 to 39, dependent on the role you choose. The shortest Royal Navy career is four years, but you can choose to serve up to 22 years and beyond, depending on the needs of the Service.

Sea Cadets

If you’re too young to apply, you can join the Sea Cadets. This is a great way to develop your leadership and teamwork skills, while gaining a valuable insight into life in the Royal Navy. You can find out more here: https://www.sea-cadets.org/

https://www.sea-cadets.org/blackpool

https://www.sea-cadets.org/lytham

https://www.sea-cadets.org/fleetwood


Royal Navy - ROLES

Royal Navy - Fitness