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Am I Eligible to Join the British Armed Forces?

Step 2: Learn If You’re Ready

Eligibility Basics

There are different rules for entrance into the British Armed Forces depending on which armed forces careers path you take and if you join at officer or enlisted level.

Enlisted: The soldiers and ratings do the hands-on work of the navy or military. There are no formal qualifications required unless you are applying for a technical role.

However, you will need to pass the basic entrance tests that cover basic reasoning, literary and mathematical abilities. If you want to do one of the scientific/engineering based trades you will need to score better than just the basic pass.

A summary of the Armed Forces enlistment requirements is shown here.

Age Requirement:

Before you visit your local recruiter, make sure you meet the minimum qualifications for serving in the Armed Forces. You must be at least 16 years old to start military training and anyone under 18 years old needs parental consent. However, it may be possible to apply to sign up when you are 15 years and 9 months old. Furthermore, if you are under 18 the armed forces cannot deploy you on operations abroad.

• APPLYING FOR A COMMISSION IN HM ARMED FORCES

Individuals wishing to apply for Commissioning in the Royal Navy, Army or Royal Air Force would be expected to attend an Officer Selection Board where an assessment regarding their suitability to serve as a Commissioned Officer in HM Armed Forces will be made.

Depending on the Arm or Service and individual is applying to join the Selection Board could consist of more than one part and last for two or three days. A Selection Board will in all probably consist of:

Thorough Medical Examination
Aptitude and Fitness Tests
Command Tasks
Examinations
Interviews

• MEDICAL

Prior to joining the Armed Forces all applicants are required to undergo a medical examination and any of the following conditions could preclude an individual from being accepted:

Epilepsy
Diabetes
Asthma (Also applies to those who have suffered from asthma within the previous 4 years)
Colitis, Crohns Disease or any other long standing bowel disorder
Spleen removal
Previous detached retina or corneal transplant
Rheumatoid Arthritis of any other bone or joint disorder
Drug or Alcohol addiction. Random Compulsory Drug Testing (CDT) is carried out in all areas of the Armed Forces
Free of any pre-existing injury that would prevent successful completion of the medical examination

Life in the Armed Forces is physically demanding and as such those wishing to join have to undergo a thorough medical examination to ensure they can meet future physical challenges.

• CRIMINAL RECORD

Those with a previous criminal record are not automatically debarred from joining the Armed Forces – however – individuals must declare any conviction that is considered to be ‘unspent’ under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Although entitled to withhold details of ‘spent’ convictions it is advisable to declare them in order to avoid future misunderstanding(s). ‘Spent’ convictions should be declared when applying to join any of the Armed Services Medical Services, administrative appointments such as The Adjutant General’s Corps or other ‘sensitive’ employments.

Honesty, loyalty and integrity are qualities expected of those serving in the Armed Forces, and are of paramount importance. As such, individuals found to have withheld information regarding convictions may be liable to disciplinary action and subsequent discharge.

• NATIONALITY

In general you need to be a British, Irish or Commonwealth citizen to be considered for enlistment in the British Armed Forces. You may also qualify if you are a British subject under the British Nationality Act 1981.

Certain career paths are only available to British citizens.

Further information regarding overseas applicants can be found at:

Joining From Overseas

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