Number of people applying to join the Army falls but RAF and Royal Navy mark increases

The number of applications to join the Army in the 12 months to the end of September 2025 was down, according to the latest statistics released by the Ministry of Defence.

The Army received more than 108,000 applications, a 36.6% decrease compared to the previous 12 months, when it saw 170,380 applications. 

However, Commonwealth (CW) applicants are included in the number of applications. For a one-week period in August 2024, Commonwealth applications to certain trades were opened up, which resulted in a huge spike.

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This surge resulted in 41% of Army Regular Other Ranks applications during financial year 2024/25 coming from CW nationalities. 

Applications to the Volunteer Reserves have increased by 5.3% from 29,800 to 31,380. 

Other services see jump in numbers

The number of applications received to join the RAF were up by 24.6% compared to the previous period, with 53,680 applying compared to 43,090 in the 12 months to 30 September 2024.

The RAF also saw a 34.8% increase in applications to join the Volunteer Resources. Applications increased from 4,580 to 6,170. 

The number who applied to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines also saw a 24.3% increase. However, their application figures are provisional and final numbers haven't yet been finalised. 

In the 12 months to 30 September 2025, 35,660 applied to join their regular forces, while applications to the volunteer reserves saw a 35.9% increase from 2,710 to 3,690.

This indicates there have been significant increases in applications for people wanting to join the volunteer reserves for both the RAF, Royal Navy and Royal Marines, but only a modest increase in applications to join the reserves in the Army. 

The numbers overall

More people joined the Armed Forces than left last year, continuing a trend that began with the previous set of quarterly personnel statistics in December 2025.

The total overall number of Armed Forces personnel stands at 182,050, an increase of 1,270 since 1 January 2025. 

During the last year, there was an increase of 1,500 people joining the full time regular Armed Forces compared to the previous 12-month period. The number of people that left the Armed Forces was 1,320, representing a fall of 9%.