Joining the Armed Forces will become quicker and easier under a
new first-of-its kind tri-Service recruitment service that cuts
red tape and transforms the way people sign up to serve.
- A new recruitment service will streamline the process for
candidates to join the Armed Forces.
- Launching in 2027, the first-of-its kind service will speed
up recruitment to boost national security - the foundation of
Government's Plan for Change.
- Single-entry point for prospective recruits to attract the
best talent from across the country and deliver better value for
taxpayer money.
Joining the Armed Forces will become quicker and easier under a
new first-of-its kind recruitment service that cuts red tape and
transforms the way people sign up to serve.
Armed Forces Minister has today announced that a
new, combined Armed Forces Recruitment Service (AFRS) will launch
in 2027, replacing the individual schemes run by the Royal Navy,
British Army, and Royal Air Force. The new contract will ensure
better value for taxpayer money and better outcomes for our Armed
Forces.
The first-ever tri-service recruitment programme will provide a
streamlined, single-entry point for prospective recruits, with
the aim of attracting the best talent from across the country
into the Armed Forces to strengthen national security as the
foundation of the Government's Plan for Change.
The announcement follows the Defence Secretary's commitment last
year to tackle long application waiting times for the Armed
Forces, with a new ambition to make a conditional offer within 10
days and confirmation of a training start date within 30
days.
Under the innovative new recruitment service, candidates will
complete one application and one medical evaluation via a single,
digital system - offering a more straightforward process that
seeks to retain applicant interest. The digitally enhanced
process will see applications reviewed, offers made and training
begin at a faster pace than individual services currently.
In efforts to deliver value for money, the Ministry of Defence
will mimic the Cabinet Office's standard model services contract,
allowing for decisive action on supplier-caused performance
issues through profit-based performance goals and contract
break-clauses.
Existing processes have struggled to meet the evolving needs of
modern recruitment, with inefficiencies and delays leading to
fewer than one in 10 applicants joining in 2023.
Minister for the Armed Forces said:
This Government is delivering for defence and taking decisive
action to address recruitment and retention challenges within our
Armed Forces. For too long, we have seen keen and capable
prospective recruits failed by an outdated system, full of delays
and inefficiencies.
Our innovative new Armed Forces Recruitment Service will help us
attract top talent from across the UK – bolstering our national
security as the foundation for our government's Plan for
Change.
By making it quicker and easier for people to sign up to serve,
while maintaining the very highest standards, we will strengthen
our Armed Forces and make the UK more secure.
Our ambition is for those who apply to serve our country to
receive a conditional answer within 10 days and a training start
date within 30 days. As global threats increase, we are making
the changes necessary to get the brightest and best into
Britain's military.”
Developed in partnership with Serco, the new programme will
ultimately help to ensure that the UK military remains ready to
face emerging threats while enhancing the support for those who
serve.
AFRS will also see Service Personnel playing an active role in
the recruitment process, leveraging their unique skills and
experience to engage the next generation of military
professionals.
In a separate move to attract a broader range of Armed Forces
recruits, the Minister for the Armed Forces, has also announced today a new
direct entry initiative for cyber roles. With reduced basic
training, a starting salary of £40,000 and specialist cyber
training, recruits will support our Forces and bolster the UK's
cyber strength.
The Government is committed to bettering the Armed Forces career
offer and has also delivered one of the largest pay increases for
the Armed Forces in the last 20 years, scrapped over 100 outdated
policies that block or slow recruitment, and are establishing an
Armed Forces Commissioner to champion Service Personnel and their
families.
With recruitment across the three Forces being unified, AFRS will
see all applicant data held centrally at MOD, offering improved
data security and enhanced access to information.
