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Armed forces

When can my son join the Army?

The UK’s armed forces (the Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Royal Marines) recruit school leavers from the age of sixteen, and they can be used on operations from the age of seventeen, the limit under current international conventions. You can apply to join the Royal Navy at fifteen years and nine months. Entry age and qualifications differ according to the branch of the service your child wishes to join. For example, your child can join any of the armed forces at sixteen, but if he or she wishes to join as an officer, they usually have to wait another year or so – seventeen and six months for the Air Force, and seventeen and nine months for the Army.

The armed forces can offer a multitude of career opportunities for young people, and not all of it involves work on the front lines. Nevertheless, it does entail a commitment, and your child must be prepared for some fairly hard graft and to show respect for authority if he or she wishes to join. All of the armed forces have a minimum period of service before you are allowed to leave. For example, if your son or daughter joins the army and doesn’t like it, they can’t leave within the first 28 days. After this, they can leave on 28 days’ notice at any time during the first six months (or if over the age of eighteen, during the first three months). Thereafter, your son or daughter must serve four years.

What is the Territorial Army?

A good way to experience the Army without making a full commitment is to join the Territorial Army (TA), which is a reserve force of civilians who undertake soldier training and fulfil operational support on a part-time basis.

For more information on what’s involved and the various careers available, visit www.armyjobs.mod.uk or ring 0845 7300 111.

WHAT IS THE ARMY CADET FORCE (ACF)?

The ACF is a 40,000 strong organisation designed to give young people of both sexes (between the ages of thirteen and eighteen), a taste of what the Army can offer. It has bases all over the UK and, a little like the Scout and Guide Associations, is run by volunteer instructors.

Can my son join the Army without my permission?

Your son will need permission to join any part of the armed forces, including those that are part-time and/or volunteer, until he is eighteen. At this age, he can join anything without parental consent.