British Soldier Application Process

Step 1
AFCO (Armed Forces Careers Office)
You will need to find the location of your nearest AFCO, this can be done by visiting ArmyJobs.Mod.uk. Once you have done this you will need to go to the AFCO and tell a member of staff that you are interested in joining the Army. You will be given literature and a DVD will be put on for you. You will then be given an interest form to fill out but this does not commit you to anything. If you have decided you want to join the Army then an application form will be given to you. If not you will be asked to return to the AFCO to obtain an application form if you have decided to join the Army. You can either complete this in the AFCO or return once complete. The application process can take around 5-6 months in total from when you visit the AFCO to when you being RT (Recruit Training).

Step 2
Application Form
The application form will take on average 45 minutes to complete and should be done in black ink. To complete the application form you will need the following if applicable; your birth certificate, national insurance number, NHS card, passport, drivers license, educational certificates, previous employers details, work experience details, references, doctor's details, discharger documents and name change certificates. Once the application has been completed and given to the AFCO you will be given an appointment and literature for your BARB test, which will be in about one week.

Step 3
BARB (British Army Recruit Battery)
The BARB test booklet that you would have received will tell you about the tests, which you will take as part of your application to the Army. It will show you what all the tests look like and show you how to do them. It is very important you read this booklet before you take the tests. The reason for this is what score you get depends on what jobs are available to you in the Army.

When you go for your BARB test, it will be at the AFCO. The test will take approximately two hours to complete. The BARB test has five different tests and will take you around 30 minutes to complete them all. When you are tested, you will take all five tests on the day. You will be given clear instructions and be given practice questions for all the tests. The tests will look like those in the booklet but will be given to you on a touch screen computer. Each test will have its own instructions and will have a few practice examples for you to do before the test begins. You will answer all questions on a touch screen computer. When you take the BARB test, you should aim to work as quickly and accurately as possible through each test.

You will also have to take a literacy and numeric test. Although this is part of the BARB test, it does not affect your score. The reason this test is done is to give the Army an idea of what you will respond to RT (Recruit Training). Both tests will take around thirty minutes each to complete. The last thirty minutes will be to find out if you have passed or failed. If you are successful then you will be told if all jobs are available to you or not. You will then be given a medical questionnaire that you will have to take away with you.

Step 4
Medical
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 both physically and mentally demanding, therefore the Forces medical authorities have to be made aware of your medical history and any conditions, which may affect your performance as a soldier or officer. Applicants who do not meet the required standards may be rejected.

Your examination will take place at the Selection Centre. For that reason, the Army uses an additional questionnaire that is completed by you and your Doctor. This helps to avoid any unnecessary travel away from home.

The conditions below make a person permanently unsuitable for entry into the services.

The Minimum height requirement is 148cm (except for driver trades when the minimum height is 158cm). Your weight should be in proportion to your height.

Eye disorders
Eye disease e.g. glaucoma, keratoconus, retinitis pigmestosa. Double Vision. Visual field defects. Corneal grafts or recurrent corneal ulcers. Cataract or cataract surgery. Detached retina. Vision only in one eye. Squint surgery in the previous 6 months. Laser eye surgery in the previous 12 months.

Ear, nose and throat disorders
Ongoing ear, nose, throat or sinus disease. Deafness. Presence or grommets. Current perforated eardrum. Certain surgical procedures

Heart and Cardiovascular disorders
Heart disease. Certain congenital heart conditions e.g. repair of tetralogy of Fallot, coarctation of the aorta. Certain heart valve abnormalities. High blood pressure. Reynaud’s disease.

Respiratory disorders
Asthma, wheeze or Asthma symptoms or treatment within the previous 4 years. Lung disease including chronic bronchitis, emphysema, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis. Active tuberculosis.
Abdominal and digestive disorders including diet

Ongoing abdominal, digestive or liver disease. Crohn's disease. Ulcerative colitis. Loss of spleen (splenectomy). Chronic hepatitis. Untreated hernia. Requirements for specific dietary restriction.

Neurological Disorders
Ongoing nervous system disease. Epilepsy or more than one seizure/fit after the age of five (although Benign Rolandic epilepsy is acceptable). Single seizure/fit within the last 5 years. Multiple Sclerosis. Complications following head injury. Hydrocephalus (with or without shunt). Severe or recurrent headache (including migraine).

Endocrine disorders
Diabetes. Adrenal disorders. Pituitary disorders. Certain thyroid diseases.

Skin disorders
Chronic eczema or dermatitis. Severe psoriasis. Severe acne
Female reproductive disorders

Chronic breast pain. Chronic pelvic pain or inflammatory disease. Endometriosis.
Male reproductive disorders

Current cancer of the testicle or prostate gland. Chronic pelvic pain.

Musculoskeletal disorders
Any abnormality that interferes with the ability to undertake military training. Spinal abnormalities. Certain spinal operations. Recurrent back pain or sciatica. Joint disease, pain or limitation of joint movement. Hypermobility (laxity) of the joints. Bone or joint operations within 12 months. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (subject to single service policy). Recurrent joint dislocations. Severe deformity following fractures. Loss of limb. Foot abnormalities (e.g. club foot, hammer toe). Complete loss or either big toe. Complete loss of either thumb. Arthritis and similar conditions.

Blood Disorders
Certain blood diseases, such as G6PDD, sickle cell disease, congenital spherocytosis, haemoglobinpathy. Any bleeding disorder or abnormality of blood colling

Infections
Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Carriers of hepatitis viruses.
Malignancy (cancer)

Most cancers are considered to place an applicant below the medical entry standard. Exceptions - some cancers in the childhood or early adult life that have been successfully treated and are regarded as cured.

Allergic disorders
Severe allergic reactions and/or anaphylaxis. A need to carry adrenaline injections (EPIPEN etc.). Nut and Peanut allergy. Egg allergy. Latex allergy. Vaccine allergy (including Tetanus allergy). Gluten sensitivity (Coeliac disease).
Conditions resulting from exposure to extremes of temperature
Heat Illness. Frostbite and non-freezing cold injury

Psychiatric Disorders
Ongoing Psychiatric illness. Psychosis. Schizophrenia. Obsessive-compulsive disorder. Autism. Personality disorder. More than one episode of deliberate self-harm of any type. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Alcohol, drug or substance dependence. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) unless free of symptoms and not requiring treatment for at least 3 years. Anorexia and bulimia.

Kidney disorder
Ongoing kidney disease. Polycystic kidney disease and kidney stones. Donation of kidney in the past 6 months.

Other conditions:
Transplanted Organs
Temporary conditions: The following conditions incur a temporary hold on the selection procedure and/or entry until fully recovered, discharged from hospital follow up and fit to undergo arduous training:
Pregnancy, Waiting list for an operation, Temporary illness or injury

Your application may be rejected due to other medical reasons, which are subject to the direction of the Service Medical Authorities.

There is no charge, as your GP will receive a form that you must give in order for the Army to pay on your behalf.. If this form is not given then you will have to pay yourself, which will be around twenty-five pounds.

Once the medical questionnaire is done, you must return the medical to the AFCO. Around two weeks later, you will be informed by phone if you have passed, if you have failed you will receive a letter that will also state the reason for this decision. You may also get a letter if there is any further information required about your medical.

If successful, an appointment will be made for your interview. You will have your interview about two weeks later from the point you had been told you were successful. You will have to go to the AFCO where they will give you revision material for the interview.

TO BE CONTINUED

Step 5
Interview

Step 6
ADSC (Army Development Selection Centre)

Thanks Admin for posting this. Since I'm in the medical step of the recruitment process, what would be a failing object if for instance all the questions on the questonaire do not apply to my medical status? As in am clean.

Many thanks.

Ckinki

Ckinki wrote:Thanks Admin for posting this. Since I'm in the medical step of the recruitment process, what would be a failing object if for instance all the questions on the questonaire do not apply to my medical status? As in am clean.

Many thanks.

Ckinki

Ckinki,

I have sent you a PM.

Admin

Barb test takes between 40 minutes to an hour Numeracy and literacy take about the same time, If your Barb takes two hours there is something wrong.

Numeracy and literacy DO have an effect on what job you are offered (Entry level 1 in either will only allow you Infantry)

Medical documents can take anything from a week to a month to return.

Interview is done as soon as possible after documents return from ADSC