UK Government to Launch New Paid Military 'Gap Year' Scheme for Under-25s
The UK government is set to introduce a paid military 'gap year' scheme aimed at under-25s, allowing them to experience the Army, Royal Navy, and RAF without any long-term commitment. Starting with an initial recruitment of 150 participants in the spring, the programme aims to grow to 1,000 recruits annually.
Participants will undergo training but will not be deployed on active operations; the specific training content is still under development. The Army path will involve 13 weeks of basic training as part of a two-year placement, the Navy route plans approximately one year of general training, and the RAF scheme remains less developed.
This initiative is designed to widen recruitment and retention by imparting leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills that will benefit participants in any future career. It forms part of a broader defence strategy and a 'whole-of-society approach' to deterrence, amid ongoing concerns about Russia.
Currently, the Army offers about 30 gap-year placements primarily for those considering officer training, with fewer than 10 enrolled last academic year; the new scheme intends to be more widely accessible.
Defence Secretary John Healey highlighted the opportunities the scheme presents, while opposition Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge critiqued the initial small intake of 150 as merely a pilot and not a comprehensive response.
