The vast majority of trades are open to both men and women, although a small number of areas are currently not available to women, eg. Royal Marine Commando, Submarines, Mine clearance, Diving, Household Cavalry, Royal Armoured Corps, Infantry and RAF Regiment

The following lowest and highest ages normally apply.

Please note that if you are below the age of 18 years, the consent of your parents or guardians is required at the application stage.

Service	Lowest age on application	Lowest age on entry	Highest age on entry
ROYAL NAVY	15 years, 9 months	16 years	32 (up to and including 33rd birthday)
ROYAL MARINES	15 years, 9 months	16 years	27 (up to and including 28th birthday)
ARMY	15 years, 9 months	16 years	27 (up to and including 33 in some employment’s)
ROYAL AIRFORCE	15 years, 9 months	16 years	30 (up to 33 in exceptional circumstances)

Height requirements may vary for each of the services. Minimum requirements are given below:

ROYAL NAVY Aircraft Handler Other Branches	166 cm 157 cm
ROYAL MARINES General Services Band Service Musician/Bugler	163 cm 155 cm
ARMY	There is no overall height standard for the Army, but certain trades have a minimum height requirement of 158 cm.
ROYAL AIRFORCE	There is no overall height standard for the RAF but certain trades have a minimum height requirement.

For entry into the Armed Forces you must meet the following nationality conditions:

• At all times, since birth, to have been a British or Commonwealth citizen or a Republic of Ireland national.
• To have been born in the UK, or a country or territory which is (or was then) within the Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland.

NOTE

• A waiver of the above requirements may be granted by the Secretary of State for defence for candidates who are British citizens at the time of application regardless of place of birth or former nationality.
• In exceptional circumstances a waiver of these requirements may be granted by the Secretary of State for Defence to persons who are Commonwealth citizens or citizens of the Irish Republic at the time of their application regardless of place of birth or former nationality. Any person who seeks such dispensation will have their considered on its individual merits
• • For some specialist employment within the Armed Forces it is necessary for you to have been a British Citizen for at least 10 years and for both parents to have been born in such a country or territory or in the Irish Republic and have always been or always were Commonwealth citizens or citizens of the Irish Republic. Please ask your nearest AFCO for advice.
  • In addition, whether or not you are of UK origin, you should have normally resided in the UK for a minimum of 5 years immediately prior to making an application. In certain circumstances, particularly when an applicant is of UK origin, or country of residence is one where security checks can be carried out, a shorter period of residence may be accepted. If you are not a British citizen, you will be required to produce either a United Kingdom and Colonies passport stamped with the right of abode or a certificate of entitlement certifying that you have the right of abode.

If you are awaiting a court appearance, in any other capacity other than as witness, you may not be eligible to apply until the outcome of the hearing is known. Please check with the Recruiting Organisation.

Spent and unspent convictions (including prison, young offenders institution or probation) for certain types of offence, may mean that you are ineligible to apply for entry into certain branches or trades within the Armed Forces. If you have any doubts about which branches or trades fall into the above categories, please seel advice

Ex Service personnel who are discharged for disciplinary reasons will be ineligible to re-enter.

If you are a habitual user of illegal substances, you will not be eligible to apply. Random compulsory drugs testing is practised in the Armed Forces.

The Armed Forces requires anyone who joins, to be medically fit to serve worldwide. New entrants to the armed Forces undergo intensive training which is physically demanding and mentally taxing. New entrants must be of a robust constitution and free from disease or pre-existing injury to meet this challenge. If you decide to apply and your application is accepted, you will be required to pass a full medical examination. Tour application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. Before you are examined by a Medical Officer, you will be asked to declare certain information about your medical history to identify obvious medical conditions for which rejection is automatic. PLEASE NOTE that your application will be rejected if:

• You suffer from Epilepsy
• You suffer from Diabetes
• You suffer or have suffered from Asthma in the past 4 years
• You suffer from Colitis, Crohns Disease, or any other long standing bowel disorder or have had your spleen removed
• You have ever had a detached retina or corneal transplant, or had surgery or laser treatment to improve vision.
• You suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, or any other bone or joint disorders.

The above list is not exhaustive and you may find that your application is rejected due to other medical conditions, not listed, but which are subject to discretion of the examining doctor or service Medical Authorities.

The Armed Forces value every individual’s unique contribution irrespective of their race, ethnic origin, gender or social background. Your application will be rejected if you are, or have been a member, supporter or associated with any group or organisation whose purpose includes incitement to racial hatred and violence.

You must be aware that, should you be accepted for enlistment, you may be required to serve anywhere in the World.