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Potential recruits are normally aged between 16
years and nine months and 33 years, except when they are applying
for a vacancy as a junior soldier, when the age limits are from 15 years and
seven months (on application-16 on entry) to 17 years and one month. As a trained soldier the minimum length of service will be four
years and three months 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 Armed Forces Careers Office (AFCO) or Army Careers Information
Office (ACIO). Here he or she will take the computer based British Army Recruit
Battery (BARB) test, a touch screen psychometric test which is designed to assess ability to assimilate the training required
for the candidate's chosen trade. They will also sit a Literacy and Numeracy
test, again which is computer based.
During the recruiting process the
Recruiting Staff will conduct a
number of interviews to decide on overall suitability for the Army. The
Recruiting Staff
staff will look at references from school or any employers and offer advice
on which trade may be available and might suit the candidate. The Recruiting
Staff will also require references from schools and / or any employers, as well
as proof of identification, nationality and residency. A preliminary
medical takes the form of a questionnaire, which is completed by the candidate
and their family GP.
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, Glencorse in Scotland and Ballymena in Northern Ireland.
The candidates will remain at
ADSC for an overnight stay and undergo the following:
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A thorough medical examination.
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Physical assessment tests which
include pull ups, static dynamic weight lift, back extension test, 150 metre
jerry can carry and a 2.4 km (1.5 mile) best effort run. There are also some
team games held in the evening.
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A Technical Selection Test, a
paper exam for those applying for technical trades.
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An information retention lesson
and test based on the L2 hand grenade.
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A practical grenade throwing test
(using practice drill grenades).
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Team building tasks, to assess the
ability of the candidates to work in a team and any leadership potential they
may have.
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An interview with a Army
Development and Selection Officer.
The potential recruit will also
see at first hand the type of training that they will undergo and will have the
opportunity to talk to recruits in training and the sort of life that they will
lead in barracks if successful in getting into the Army. After their interview
with the ADSO 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
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.
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