The UK government has announced the launch of a program that will provide young people who have completed school or college, aged up to 25, the opportunity to undergo a year of service in the army, navy, or air force without long-term commitments. The first applications will be accepted in the spring of 2026.
At the initial stage, the program will be designed for 150 participants, with a subsequent increase to 1,000 places annually. Participants will not be involved in combat operations, and the content of the training programs is still under development.
This initiative aims to address issues related to recruitment and retention of personnel in the armed forces. Training opportunities will be available in the army, navy, or air force; however, information about the payment amount is currently unavailable.
A separate program for officer training is also planned, designed for 30 places, which can be undertaken before, during, or after university studies.
Defense Minister Jon Healey emphasized that participants in the program will be able to develop leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills that will be useful in any area of life.
The initiative is inspired by a similar program in Australia, where more than half of the participants continue to serve on a permanent basis. Opposition Conservatives have criticized the project, pointing to the insufficient number of places and its limited impact on the country's defense capabilities.
