Overview
- The pilot offers about 150 places in its first intake and carries no obligation to join the armed forces afterward.
- The Ministry of Defence says the programme could scale to more than 1,000 places if there is sufficient interest.
- Defence Secretary John Healey calls it a 'new era for defence' designed to showcase Army, Navy and Air Force training and skills.
- Official figures show the Army trained roughly 38% fewer recruits in 2022–23 compared with 2019–20.
- Army chief General Sir Richard Knighton has urged greater public readiness in light of growing threats, including from Russia.