UK plans short-term military programme to attract young recruits

The government is preparing to launch a paid short-term military programme. It aims to give young people a taste of life in the armed forces. This programme does not require a long-term commitment.

Ministers often describe the scheme as a military “gap year”. It will be open to under-25s. The scheme is designed to address persistent recruitment and retention challenges across the Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force.

Applications for the first intake of around 150 participants are expected to open in the spring. Ministers say the programme will later expand to as many as 1,000 places a year. Details on pay and the final structure of the courses have yet to be confirmed.

Defence Secretary John Healey said the initiative would offer participants “valuable skills and training”. This includes leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving. These benefits apply whether or not they choose to pursue a full military career.

Those joining the programme will not be deployed on active operations. Current plans suggest Army participants would complete around 13 weeks of basic training. This would occur within a placement lasting up to two years. The naval option is expected to run for about a year. It will focus on general sailor training. The RAF element is still being developed.

The Ministry of Defence said the scheme would be broader than existing short-term opportunities. These opportunities are currently limited. They are largely aimed at people considering officer training. Officials hope the new approach will attract a wider range of applicants. Some decide to stay on in the armed forces.

Healey said the proposal was part of a broader “whole-of-society” approach to defence. He argued that changing global threats required greater public engagement with national security.

The Conservatives questioned the scale of the plan. They argued that an initial intake of 150 people would have little impact on overall military readiness. Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said that although similar schemes abroad had strengths, the UK proposal involved too few numbers. It was too small to make a meaningful difference.

The idea was recommended in the government’s strategic defence review earlier this year. It was inspired by a long-running programme run by the Australian Defence Force. This programme allows young people to experience military life for a limited period. In Australia, more than half of participants later move into permanent roles.

Alongside the new initiative, ministers have also pledged to expand the cadet forces by around 30%. This is part of a broader effort to increase the number of people with military experience.

Some European countries, including France and Germany, have recently reintroduced forms of voluntary national service. They cite heightened security concerns linked to Russia.

Former Army head Lord Richard Dannatt said the proposed scheme was unlikely to transform the UK’s defence capability on its own. However, it still has value. He said it would help recruitment “at the margins.” Participants would gain exposure to military discipline. They would also acquire practical skills that benefit them in later careers.