The Ministry of Defence has confirmed a new Armed Forces Foundation Scheme, framed as a ‘gap year’, will begin in March 2026. The pilot will recruit around 150 under‑25s for a paid 12‑month placement across the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, with ministers indicating capacity could rise above 1,000 subject to demand. Recruitment is scheduled to open in early 2026.
Defence officials position the scheme within the Strategic Defence Review 2025, which calls for a whole‑of‑society approach to deterrence and resilience and a renewed ‘contract’ with those who serve. The MOD announcement also notes the review’s interest in learning from comparable international programmes.
Participants will follow bespoke training intended to build problem‑solving, teamwork and leadership. Experiences could include initial basic training and time at sea. The MOD stresses that the Foundation Scheme offers a defined year of service experience without a commitment beyond the course, creating space to choose either a military path or civilian employment thereafter.
As an initial pilot, the offer is intended to test service‑specific placements before any wider rollout. All three Services will participate from the outset, with intake aligned to the March start date. The approach is designed to reconnect more young people with uniformed service while setting clear expectations about duration and exit at the end of the year.
The model draws explicitly on Australia’s ADF Gap Year, a 12‑month paid placement open to ages 17–24 that begins with initial military training and proceeds through role‑specific courses within a chosen Service. The Australian scheme highlights skills development alongside short‑term service experience rather than long‑term enlistment.
MOD communications emphasise that placements are intended to generate transferable skills valuable beyond Defence. Examples include working with Army supply chain specialists or engineers aboard Royal Navy ships-experience directly relevant to logistics and engineering careers and framed as a contribution to national resilience.
For prospective applicants and families, the offer provides a structured, time‑limited introduction to service life. There is no obligation to continue beyond the 12 months; pathways after completion may include regular or reserve service, further study, apprenticeships or direct entry into civilian employment, depending on individual preference.
The announcement sits alongside statements from Defence Secretary John Healey about reconnecting society and the Armed Forces, and follows public calls by Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton for a whole‑nation response to a more volatile security environment. Knighton has served as professional head of the Armed Forces since 2 September 2025.
Operational detail-such as precise eligibility thresholds, pay scales and selection processes-was not set out in the initial notice and will be provided by the Services as recruitment opens. For schools, careers advisers and employers, the scheme offers a clearly signposted 12‑month option to build workplace‑relevant skills while keeping educational and employment choices open.
Comparisons with Australia suggest the potential to broaden awareness of military careers while returning participants to study or work with accredited experience and a stronger skills profile. The UK pilot’s evaluation metrics are likely to include participation rates, satisfaction, and subsequent destinations across regular service, reserves and civilian employment.
Set against the Strategic Defence Review’s reform agenda-strengthening home defence and resilience and updating command arrangements-this pilot represents a practical measure to widen participation while the MOD reshapes force design and training pipelines. Delivery will be judged on the clarity of service‑level offers and the quality of outcomes for young people.