More under-18s in Armed Forces: Government eyes second Army college for teens
More teenagers in the UK could have the opportunity to join the Armed Forces if the government follows through on early plans to create a second dedicated training establishment for 16-and 17-year-old recruits.
Each year, roughly one in four recruits to the British Army are under the age of 18.
Known as Junior Soldiers, they complete their Phase One training with parental consent at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.
The UK remains the only country in Nato that actively recruits 16-year-olds into the Armed Forces, even though those under 18 are still considered children under British law.
Those who fall into this bracket are not permitted to deploy on operations.
In August, BFBS Forces News attended a graduation parade for 900 junior soldiers who had completed their training at the Army Foundation College.
Known as a passing out parade, the event is the biggest of its kind in the Armed Forces annually – reflecting the large number of teenagers under the age of 18 joining the military each year.
Whereas adult-entry recruits complete 'basic training' over the course of approximately 12 weeks, those joining as Junior Soldiers instead spend either six or 12 months in training depending on the recruit's desired job role.
Junior Soldier Harrison Woods, 17, is joining the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment – an infantry unit – and described how much of a "shock to the system" joining the Army had been.
"When I stepped into my lines, it kind of hit me," he said.
"This is where I'm going to be spending 11 months and it's going to be hard, but it will be good."
Also reflecting on his time at the college was 17-year-old Hayden Marley, who is joining the Light Dragoons.
He said joining the Army aged 16 was "probably one of the best decisions" he had ever made.
"It's given me a lot of discipline, it's taught me how to be more self-independent as well," he said, adding "you come here still with a school mindset, but when you mess around it doesn't slide well here".
The college is not without controversy.
On the day of Harrison and Hayden's graduation in August, BBC News reported serious allegations of criminal wrongdoing at the base, including police investigations into complaints of sexual assault and rape.
At the time, the MOD said that unacceptable and criminal behaviour had absolutely no place in the Armed Forces.
One man who says he can vouch for the positive impact of joining the Army at the age of 16 is 34-year-old Major Danny Causland, a battery commander of an airborne unit in the Royal Artillery.
Eighteen years ago, he too completed Phase One training at the Army Foundation College and has since climbed the ranks all the way to the command position he now holds.
"I grew up in some pretty tough environments and I had a pretty hard upbringing," the Battery Commander said.
He added: "Coming [to the college] was the first time I had some consistency that I knew what the rules were. I know that if I worked hard, do well, if I keep my head down and if I'm disciplined, I will be rewarded."
The route into the Army via the college is not for everyone.
Drop-out stats from across the British Army’s Phase One training establishments place the Army Foundation College as having the second-highest dropout rate across the four locations it maintains.
Each year, the number of recruits quitting fluctuates between one in four and one in three.
Recruits can decide to discharge themselves 'as of right' (known as DAOR), or parents can withdraw their consent for their children to serve in the Army at any point before the soldier turns 18.
Providing opportunities for school leavers has been one of the principal policy commitments put forward by Prime Minister Andy Burnham since entering office in July.
Soon into his tenure, it was first reported that the government was looking at expanding the number of places the military can provide 16-year-olds at locations like the Army Foundation College.
Since then, defence sources confirmed plans are being actively considered to replicate the college, perhaps by opening a second location in the south of England.
However, the source stressed that those plans were still in the early stages and "totally non-committal" at this point.
Asked what his views were on the opening of a second under-18s training establishment, Major Causland said it was a good idea.
"Harrogate is a long way away from London. It's a long way away from the South West and from Plymouth.
"There are lots of people who would relish this opportunity and would really benefit from this opportunity, but it's pretty far away from them.
"I'm sure for families and for prospective recruits, knowing there was something coming in the south would probably make it a bit more accessible to them and maybe this opportunity to many more kids.
"I know it's changed my life, hopefully another place will change more people's lives as well."
Over the coming weeks, approximately 1,200 new recruits aged 16 and 17 will arrive at the Army Foundation College to begin their careers in the Army.
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