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Army: Recruitment

Asked by Mr Tanmanjeet Singh DhesiLabourMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 25 March 2026UIN 122208

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any a) instruction and b) guidance is given to Instructors at Army Training Centres not to fail recruits undergoing Phase 1 training.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones

The British Army upholds consistently high professional standards for all recruits undertaking Basic Training. Throughout this period, recruits are trained and mentored to ensure they meet and maintain these standards, not only during Basic Training, but throughout the entirety of their military careers.

Instructors seek first to “train in” rather than “select out” individuals. Recruits will not progress beyond Basic Training until they have met the prescribed Basic Training output standard.

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