The Ministry of Defence will introduce a year‑long paid Foundation Scheme across the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force from March 2026, with recruitment opening in early 2026. A first intake of around 150 under‑25s will test the model before potential expansion to more than 1,000 places, according to a government press release published on 27 December 2025.
Participants will receive tri‑service exposure combining initial military training with tailored courses aimed at building problem‑solving, teamwork and leadership. Experiences may include basic training or time at sea. The programme is voluntary and carries no obligation to continue service after completion, with the stated aim of improving employability while also providing a route into a Forces career.
Ministers frame the Foundation Scheme as part of reconnecting the public with those who serve and widening awareness of what the Armed Forces do, particularly for school leavers and young adults who are undecided about next steps after education. The Department says the pilot will scale subject to interest and capacity.
Policy context is explicit. The Strategic Defence Review 2025 sets a whole‑of‑society approach to deterrence and resilience and highlights the value of shorter commitments-explicitly including ‘gap years’-to broaden participation and address recruitment challenges. The Review also calls for clearer public engagement on threats and Defence’s role.
International comparison underpins the plan. Australia’s ADF Gap Year offers 12‑month roles across Navy, Army and Air Force for 17–24‑year‑olds, starting with initial military training and followed by role‑specific courses and paid placements. Many participants subsequently move into regular or reserve service, which is why the UK cites it as a model to learn from.
The Defence Secretary, John Healey, links the initiative to providing young people with access to the skills and training on offer in the Services and to strengthening society’s connection with Defence. The Minister for Veterans and People, Louise Sandher‑Jones, emphasises the transferability of experience to civilian employment as well as to military roles.
Officials say the programme will expose participants to disciplines that translate directly into the civilian economy, such as logistics and engineering-examples include working alongside Army supply chain specialists or Royal Navy engineering teams-supporting national resilience objectives as set out in the Review.
The announcement follows recent warnings from the Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, who urged a whole‑nation response and greater societal readiness given rising risks, including from Russia. That message mirrors the Strategic Defence Review’s call for sustained public involvement in resilience and defence activity.
Next steps are straightforward: recruitment opens in early 2026 ahead of the March start date, with the pilot designed to expand over time if demand is strong. Further operational detail-eligibility, selection and placement specifics-will be set out by the Ministry of Defence as the intake approaches.