UK Government Launches Paid 'Gap Year' Scheme to Sample Military Service
The UK government is set to launch a paid 'gap year' scheme for under-25s to sample service in the Army, Royal Navy, or RAF without long-term commitment. This initiative aims to address recruitment and retention challenges within the armed forces.
The first intake of 150 recruits is scheduled for spring, with plans to expand to around 1,000 participants annually. While salaries have yet to be announced, the Army component will include 13 weeks of basic training as part of a two-year placement. The Navy component will last about a year with general sailor training, and the RAF element is still less developed.
Participants in the scheme will not be deployed on active operations, and the course content is still being finalized. The Ministry of Defence highlights that participants will gain leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, offering pathways to pursue military careers or other opportunities.
Defence Secretary John Healey supports the scheme, viewing it as part of the government's 'whole-of-society approach' to deterrence and addressing security concerns related to Russia, as outlined in the June strategic defence review. However, the Conservative party has criticized the initial number of 150 participants as too small to significantly boost military readiness.
The policy draws inspiration from the Australian Defence Force's gap-year program for ages 17–24, which has run for over a decade. In 2023, 664 enlisted through the Australian scheme, with about half subsequently entering permanent roles.
