Before You Sign Up... to the British army, navy or RAF

Thinking of joining the armed forces? Know the facts...

Joining the army

chinook Over 30 questions (so far!) on what you might want to know before joining the army. Some of these questions are more complicated than others - but they are all important; you don't need to start at the top, pick a question that is important to you and get going . . .

1	Would I need my parents'/guardians' permission to join the armed forces?	85
2	I'm under 18 - could I leave the army if I didn't like it?	1666
3	I'm over 18 - could I leave the army if I didn't like it?	1922
4	Could I stay in the army if I wanted to?	1043
5	What is the minimum/maximum age for joining the armed forces?	104
6	Do soldiers enjoy their job?	1433
7	Could I complain if I wasn't treated fairly?	886
8	Is it true that I'd get free dental treatment, travel, pension... in the army?	1212
9	I'm black / from an ethnic minority background - would I be treated well in the army?	1019
10	Would I have to be 18 before I could be sent to a war zone?	3
11	What's army pay like?	1944
12	If I found I disagreed with the army after I'd joined up, could I leave?	994
13	What would happen if I disagreed with an order?	1208
14	Are soldiers happy with their kit?	94
15	As a soldier, would I have to kill people?	1556
16	Would mental health problems stop me from joining?	51
17	How much time would I spend away?	126
18	Could I buy myself out of the army?	1524
19	Do soldiers feel valued by the army?	82
20	How many soldiers would recommend their job to others?	99
21	How are women treated in the army?	1089
22	Do soldiers feel proud to be in the army?	96
23	What do soldiers most value about their jobs?	822
24	What are the most common complaints that soldiers make?	1274
25	What should I ask army recruiters?	1807
26	Do the army recruiters and the brochures tell the truth?	1023
27	How easy would it be to return to civilian life after leaving the army?	921
28	What kind of accommodation would I live in in the army?	1008
29	I'm gay - would I be treated well in the army?	1148
30	Would the army help me to get qualifications?	959
31	What kind of support would I get if I had problems in the army?	722
32	How many people drop out of army training?	1363
33	How much bullying goes on in the army?	1188
34	How much travel / adventure is there in the army?	988
35	Do people still get shell-shock / long-term stress?	807
36	How dangerous is being a soldier?	1545

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