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The rules for leaving the army are complicated and legally binding - it's important you know about this so please read on.

You can no longer 'buy yourself out' of the armed forces.

During the first 28 days of paid duty

You can't t leave during the first 28 days of paid duty.  This is measured from your first day at work (not the date you enlisted).  If you took any leave during these 28 days this would be added on.

After the first 28 days of paid duty and before six months from the date you enlisted

After the first 28 days of paid duty and before six months have passed from the date of your enlistment, you can leave the army at 14 days' notice if you applied in writing to your commanding officer. This is called 'Discharge as of Right' (DAOR) and if you left in this way you would be a civilian again and wouldn't have to serve in the Reserve.  You wouldn't have to explain your decision.

After six months from the date you enlisted and before your 18th birthday

Once six months have passed from the date you enlisted, you can still leave if haven't yet turned 18.  To do this you would have to give three months' notice in writing to your commanding officer at any time before the date of your 18th birthday.   The three month notice period can be reduced if you and the army both agree to it.

If you left in this way you would be a civilian again and wouldn't have to serve in the Reserve.  You wouldn't have to explain your decision.

From your 18th birthday (very important!)

If six months have passed from the date you enlisted and if you had also turned 18, you would have no legal right to leave Regular Service until your 22nd birthday at the earliest and in any case you would have to give 12 months' notice in writing (so for example, in order to leave on your 22nd birthday you would have to give written notice on your 21st birthday).

The army can reduce your notice period by up to six months but this is at their discretion and not a right, and this can only be decided in the first month of your notice period.

If you received extra training or education or another benefit from the army while serving, you might have to sign a form to extend your minimum term of Regular Service beyond your22nd birthday. In theory, the extension of minimum Regular Service can be as much as six years but is usually less.  However, if you signed the form before you were 17 years 6 months of age then you could cancel your agreement in writing but only if you did so within 28 days after your 18th birthday.

If you left Regular Service after your turned 18 then you would be transferred to Reserve Service for six years.  This means that although you would have returned to civilian life after Regular Service, you could still be called out to serve on active duty or to train at any time for the six-year period of Reserve Service.

Exceptions to all the above

If there were a time of 'imminent national danger', for example if the country were attacked, you may not be allowed to leave the army for the duration, whatever your circumstances.

If you tried to leave without the right to do so, you would be deemed Absent Without Leave (AWOL). This is an offence under military law and can be punished with a long prison term in some cases; it would also delay your legal right to leave Regular/Reserve Service.

If you are thinking of joining the army, ask your recruiter to tell you in detail about the rules for leaving - it is very important that you know exactly what you would be signing up for.

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