Most soldiers get through training but a lot leave - either because they want to or the army tells them to. 1 in 3 of the youngest recruits drops out during training - you've a better chance of getting through it if you join when you're over 18.
Here are some of the main reasons that new recruits leave during training:
- The army isn't as good as they thought it would be.
- They miss their family or their mates from home.
- They don't like losing control of how they live.
- They break the rules and are thrown out.
- They get injured or have a medical problem, so they can't carry on.
For these and other reasons, 1 in 3 younger recruits and 1 in 4 adult recruits don't get through training.
If you leave school at 16 to join the army but then drop out during training, it can be hard to get back into school/college or to get another job, which is another reason why it's a good idea to wait until you're 18 before signing up.
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