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Discover the job that's right for you. Choose from a huge number of different roles available.

Any Questions?

Want to know something about the army? Ask us anything and we'll give you a straight answer.

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Tough Questions

  • Can I join the Army with a criminal record?

    It depends. We believe in giving young offenders a second chance and will judge each case on its merits. The important thing is to be honest with recruiting staff about any unspent convictions or pending court cases you have. You may be told to wait for a period before joining.

     
  • How old do I have to be?

    For soldiers, you have to be aged 15 years and 7 months to apply. You can then be enlisted in the September at age 16 after your GCSE exams.

    Most roles have a maximum age limit of 33 but some such as nursing and musicians are higher.

    Officers as a general rule should be aged over 17 years and 9 months and under 29 when they apply.

     
  • When are the officer intakes into Sandhurst?

    Officer intakes into the Royal Military College of Sandhurst are in January, May and September.

     
  • Can I join if I'm a Commonwealth citizen but have never lived in the UK?

    Yes, citizens of Commonwealth countries and the Republic of Ireland can apply to join but certain jobs may not be available.

     
  • Can I rejoin the Army if I've served before?

    Yes – as long as there is a suitable vacancy, you still meet the entry requirements and your reason for discharge doesn't prevent you rejoining.

    If you are older than the normal limit for enlistment then a decision will be made based on how long you served for, how long ago you were discharged and medical clearance.

    If you want to rejoin you can complete an application online, or you can visit your local AFCO or ACIO where a recruiter can process your application.

     
  • Do I have to pass an entrance test?

    Yes, but the test we give our soldier recruits is just our way of helping discover what types of jobs suit you best. It's known as the BARB test and includes simple maths, English and commonsense questions which are completed on a touch screen.

     
Army Jobs HomeHow Do I Join?Application and Selection

Application and Selection 

Just as there are different roles in the Army, there are different application processes to join. And because each role has its own set of challenges, there are also different selection criteria we use to work out whether you have what it takes.

Find Out More

Talk to someone who's been there. Contact an Army Career Adviser here.


Overseas Applications

You don’t have to be a British citizen to join the Army. Find out how to join if you live overseas.


Regular Officer

As an officer, you’ll use your leadership and management abilities to get the best from your soldiers. Read about the ways to become an officer.


Regular Soldier

Soldiers use their practical skills to get the job done. Find out how you can join as a soldier, and what’s involved.


Territorial Officer

By joining as a Territorial Officer, you’ll fit leadership training around your existing civilian career. Read more about what’s involved.


Territorial Soldier

As a Territorial soldier, you’ll be do military training in your spare time. Find out about the training and selection process.