Nearly One In Five Young Recruits Leave Military Before Turning 18

(Picture: MOD).

Almost one in five under 18s who join the military leave before their 18th birthday, according to statistics released by defence minister Tobias Ellwood.

During 2016/17, more than 21% of under 18s in the Navy left before they were 18, 20% of Army under 18s left before reaching the age, while more than 7% of under 18s left the RAF before their 18th birthday.

The amount of young recruits leaving the military peaked in 2009/10 (the earliest period for which statistics were provided), while the fewest left service in 2012/13.

During the eight financial years for which the statistics were released between 2009 and 2017, the RAF had the lowest proportion of under 18s leave out of the tri-services.