Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to increase (a) recruitment and (b) retention at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

The Army has consistently achieved the Direct Entry target for Regular Officer recruitment, demonstrating sustained effectiveness in meeting, and often exceeding, recruiting requirements.

The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst maintains strong retention, with an overall pass rate of 92% and 81% of Officer Cadets completing the Commissioning Course at the first attempt. The Academy operates a culture of “train in, not select out,” supported by comprehensive measures to minimise outflow, including dedicated injury rehabilitation, robust welfare provision and improved lived experience. Ongoing enhancements to training design ensure the course remains progressive, achievable and demanding, strengthening cadet development and supporting high retention outcomes.