How to join the Armed Forces and quick march into a rewarding military career

The Sun

26-06-2025

RECENT world events have highlighted the need for a strong military.
But as well as doing your bit for the country, joining the Forces can turbocharge your career.
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Whether you decide on a long deployment in the Army, Navy or RAF, or simply stay for the minimum term, you will gain valuable qualifications and transferable skills valued by every type of employer.
Tomorrow is Armed Forces Day, when we honour serving and past members of staff. It's also a chance to shine a light on what a military career offers.
Each year the British Army is on manoeuvres to hire 9,400 new troops, while the RAF needs 3,700 and around 4,000 join the Navy.
While a new Armed Forces Recruitment Service is planned for 2027, currently candidates apply directly to whichever service they want to join.
However, numbers for all three services are currently below their targeted full-time trained strength, with hundreds of positions open.
Each of the three services is a top apprenticeship provider.
The Army is the UK's biggest apprenticeship employer nationally.
It offers 41 nationally recognised programmes ranging from engineering, logistics and IT to animal care, business administration and public services and health.
The training leads to more than 100 different job types.
Trainees can join at three stages: a Level 2 Apprenticeship, equivalent to five good GCSE passes; Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, which is the same as two A-level passes and available for those joining more technical trades; or the Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship, equivalent to the first year of a degree.
An Army spokesman said: 'All soldiers gain qualifications and apprenticeships during their time in the Army.
'More than soldiers, they are also skilled tradespeople.'
Regular soldiers can join from the age of 16 to 36 while to apply as an officer, you must be between 18 and 29.
If joining as a soldier, you don't need specific qualifications and the Army will support you to 'earn as you learn'.
However, for some more technical roles, certain qualifications may be needed.
All new starters are offered an apprenticeship with around 5,400 trainees beginning one each year.
A spokesman added: 'The Army offers you challenge and adventure that you simply can't find in any other job.'
'I've been to some amazing places'
JOINING the Army was the best decision Harry Kirk ever made as it has taken him to places he never dreamed he would see.
The 25-year-old Army communications infrastructure engineer, from Lincoln, said: 'Before I joined, I was a plasterer and dry liner. I enjoyed my job but I felt I could do more with my life.
'I always wanted to be a soldier, but seeing posts on social media give me the push to enquire at my recruitment centre.
'The best thing about my role is travel. Thanks to the Army I have managed to go places I never imagined possible. I have been deployed to Brunei and the UAE already and that is just in the last year.
'My role is unique in that we deploy in very small teams for only a few weeks, so we get to do and see a lot.
'Joining has been the best decision I have ever made.
'I have developed as a soldier and become more determined and focused in all aspects in my life.
'The Army and military service is full of opportunities, you just need to come in and take them.'
Duties of care in times of war
TENSIONS in the Middle East and conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine mean employers need to be mindful of staff who are from the countries affected or have relatives and friends in the danger zones.
Kate Palmer, from HR providers Peninsula, shares her advice on how to offer support . . .
1. Identify those who may need support and speak to them individually about the kind you can offer. Consider adjusting start and finish times or extending break times to allow employees to maintain regular contact with family or friends in affected countries. Other amendments could include relaxing rules on mobile phone use, to avoid missing calls, or amending their duties.
2. Prepare managers and mental-health first-aiders to have conversations with employees about their concerns, and signpost access to expert help.
3. You could look at creating a focus group to arrange donations of money or clothes, to avoid feelings of helplessness.
4. Make sure that support measures are offered to all employees, including those not directly affected but who may be worried about the wider implications. Ensure everyone knows what support is available, by communicating via email, intranet sites and noticeboards or discussing it during daily team meetings.
5. If you have employees located in countries involved in conflict, keep in regular contact with them and assess what support you can give – your duty of care extends to all of your employees, regardless of where they are located.
6. Those who are not directly affected may still experience greater than usual stress and anxiety. Offering of an employee assistance programme can provide professional support to employees' mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Feel energised
LEAVING the Forces? Quick march into a new role with Centrica.
The energy firm aims to hire at least 500 military leavers by 2026 and 800 by 2030.
Opportunities are available at all levels from apprenticeships to leadership positions.
As well as job security, training and a wide range of benefits, anyone joining the company through the Armed Forces Pathway will also get a dedicated ex-Forces 'oppo' to help guide and mentor them.
Ian Fortune, Head of Pathways, said: 'We're incredibly proud of the contribution our Armed Forces colleagues make right across the business. Their experience, resilience and leadership are real assets.'
See lifeatcentrica.com.
Bin it to win it
NAMED a Top 50 veterans employer by the Ex-Forces Business Awards and winner of an Armed Forces Covenant gold gong for its support, Veolia is a popular choice for service leavers.
More than 300 staff at the waste management giant have military experience, 60 of whom joined in the last year.
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The company works with the Career Transition Partnership, Forces Families Jobs, and the Forces Employment Charity.
Chief HR officer Beth Whittaker said: 'The strong sense of purpose, disciplined approach and team-focused mindset that characterises military service aligns perfectly with our values and needs.'