Armed Forces: Young People

(asked on 18th February 2022) - View Source

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether an army recruit aged under 18 has a statutory right of discharge (a) during the first six weeks of training and (b) after that point; and whether a notice period applies.


Answered by
Leo Docherty Portrait
Leo Docherty
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
This question was answered on 23rd February 2022

The Ministry of Defence takes the duty of care for all our personnel, and in particular those aged under 18, extremely seriously and recognises that those aged under 18 should be treated with special consideration. All recruits enlisting into the Regular Army for the first time have the right to claim their termination according to the terms of their engagement, known as Discharge as of Right (DAOR).

Recruits aged under 18 can choose to leave the Army up until their 18th birthday by giving 14 days written notice to their Commanding Officer (CO).

If aged under 18 years at attestation, following completion of 28 days service soldiers can DAOR at any time within 6 months from the date of attestation. 14 days written notice must be given to the CO.

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