The United Kingdom government has unveiled a new paid military “gap year” scheme designed to give young citizens experiential training and exposure to life in the British Armed Forces while bolstering national defence preparedness.

Scheduled to begin in March 2026, the Armed Forces Foundation Scheme will initially recruit around one hundred and fifty participants aged under twenty-five from across the country.

Participants will spend up to a year immersed in structured training and operational environments within the British Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force, with the government expressing an ambition to expand the programme to over one thousand young people annually, subject to demand.

The initiative is open to individuals who are uncertain about their long-term career direction and offers transferable skills aimed at enhancing employability in both civilian and military sectors.

Recruits will be paid for their service, receive training in areas such as leadership, problem-solving, logistics, and engineering, and will not be obligated to enlist in the armed forces after completing the programme.

The Army component includes thirteen weeks of basic training, while naval placements involve a year of maritime experience; options for the Royal Air Force are still under development.

Defence Secretary John Healey said the scheme reflects a broader “whole of society” approach to national defence by reconnecting young people with the armed forces and highlighting the skills and opportunities available within them.

The programme draws on the success of the Australian Defence Force’s similar gap year model and responds to ongoing recruitment challenges and evolving global security dynamics.

Government officials emphasise that the scheme is intended to enhance both national resilience and individual career prospects without imposing compulsory service.