Thinking of Joining Up? Under 18?

If you want to join the Army make sure you know ALL the facts before you sign up. Don’t find out the hard way!

1) You are NOT allowed to leave during the first month of service.

2) You may then give 14 days’ notice and leave – but only between the second and sixth month of service.

If you do not leave then, you must remain in the army
full time until you are 22 years old.

3) You do not have a right to buy yourself out. (QR 9.416)

4) After the first six month’s service you do not have a right to obtain a discharge before you are 22.

5) After the first 6 months service and before your 18th birthday your Commanding Officer has discretionary power to discharge you. This means that during this time you or your parents may ask in writing for you to be discharged but this may be refused.

6) After leaving full time Army service you MUST remain in the reserves for another 6 years. (QR 9.478)

7) If you go absent without leave you will be liable for punishment by detention. (MML 304 s.38) The length of time absent may then be added to the release date after age 22.

Hundreds of young recruits go AWOL every year;
many end up homeless on our streets.

8) You may not be free to leave, even when you are over 22, if you go on an education or training course.

*For confirmation of this information please refer to the quoted references in Queen’s Regulations for the Army (QR) or the Manual of Military Law (MML).

For further help or information, contact us. Since 1974 we have been a free, independent and confidential advisory service for people in the Armed Forces. We do not need your name or number to be able to help you.