SOLDIER SELECTION

Potential recruits are normally aged between 16 years and nine months and 27 years, except when they are applying for a vacancy as a junior soldier, when the age limits are from 16 years to 18 years and six months. As a trained soldier the minimum length of service will be four years from the age of 18, or from the start of training, if over 18.

Under the selection system, a potential recruit will have a preliminary assessment at the Army Careers Information Office (ACIO). Here he or she will take the computer based Army Entrance Test (AET) which is designed to assess ability to assimilate the training required for the candidate's chosen trade. The staff at the ACIO will then conduct a number of interviews to decide on overall suitability for the Army. The ACIO staff will look at references from school or any employers and offer advice on which trade may be available and might suit the candidate. A preliminary medical examination will also be carried out that checks on weight, eyesight and hearing.

If these tests and interviews are successfully passed the candidate will be booked for further tests at the Recruit Selection Centre which is closest to his or her home. Recruit selection centres are at Lichfield, Pirbright, and Ballymena in Northern Ireland .

The candidates will remain at the RSC for an overnight stay and undergo another medical examination, a physical assessment test and an interview with a Personnel Selection Officer. The potential recruit will also see at first hand the type of training that they will undergo, and the sort of life that they will lead in barracks if successful in getting into the Army. Physical fitness is assessed based on a 'best effort' 1.5 mile timed run and some gymnasium exercises. After further interviews the candidate is informed if he or she is successful and if so is offered a vacancy in a particular trade and Regiment or Corps.

The selection process is intended to be demanding, and many applicants fail to be accepted for recruit training. As the table shows, the failure rate at the RSC has reduced, but remained high at around 37% of all entrants in 2002.