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Career Area

Armed Services

There are three main Services: the Army, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy (including the Royal Marines). The main purpose of all of the Armed Services is to defend the United Kingdom, its Overseas Territories (like the Falklands), its people and interests. Of course their role has changed over the years. Today they also take part in:

  • international peacekeeping activities
  • international conflicts
  • search and rescue services
  • helping after major disasters (for example after hurricanes or earthquakes)
  • helping the community (for example during floods).
However, the situation in Afghanistan does bring home the fact that, although most people working in the Services are not involved in front line fighting, taking part in war and other conflicts is part of the job for any soldier, sailor, airman or airwoman.

All branches of the Armed Services offer a wide and interesting range of careers for men and women. In fact, you just wouldn't get some of the jobs, such as weapon technician, anywhere else. There are over 140 trade and professional jobs in the Army alone. The Armed Services are a major UK employer, with around 159,630 UK Regular Forces personnel (April 2014). This is down from 170,710 in April 2013. About 9.9% (15,840) of the regular Armed Services are women. The trained strength of the UK Armed Forces was 150,890 at 1 April 2014. This is down from 160,710 the previous year. This is a deficit of 5.5% of the requirement for the Armed Forces. The Army and RAF are both below requirement and the Naval Service was slightly above the requirement. The Army has the largest shortfall. The intake to the UK Regular Armed Forces was 11,880 in the 12 months to 31 March 2014. This is a decrease of 810 (6.4%) since the same period a year ago (12 months to 30 March 2013). This is likely to continue due to reaching a set reduction target of 142,500 for full time armed forces personnel by 2020. You may want to join up for all sorts of different reasons. You may be attracted by:

  • the chance to learn a particular trade or job
  • the challenge of the military or combat training
  • the chance to travel and live overseas
  • the quality of the training
  • the sporting and other outdoor activities
  • the chance to be part of a team doing an important job.
Whatever the reasons, and there are many good ones, you must think things through carefully before you join up.
  • Commitment – you can't just walk out of the Forces. You sign up for a minimum length of service. And other people are depending on you: your regiment, your unit or your crew.
  • Danger – you could be injured or killed in a conflict.
  • Discipline – the military sort! Not everyone finds it easy to take orders.
  • Routine – like most jobs there is a day-to-day routine.
  • Responsibility – you could be maintaining vital equipment or making decisions that will affect other people's lives.
  • Missing people and places – most, if not all, new recruits suffer from homesickness and miss their family and friends.
  • The impact on family life – moving around from base to base (or being away from home for long periods) affects you and your family.

The opportunity to get good quality training and qualifications is a major attraction for many people joining the Armed Services, from those who want to learn a trade to officer training for graduates. Student sponsorships are also available.

Sources

For detailed information about each of the Services visit their own websites at
http://www.army.mod.uk/
http://www.rafcareers.com/
http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/

Home National Statistics Publication: UK Armed Forces Quarterly Manning Report (1 April 2014)

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