2024 British Army Recruitment Portal opens for Commonwealth Citizens.

What is British Army Commonwealth Recruitment?

Commonwealth recruitment refers to the British Army’s initiative to recruit individuals from member countries of the Commonwealth. This includes nations such as India, Jamaica, Nigeria, Fiji, Ghana, and many others. The British Army values the skills and dedication of individuals from these countries, recognizing the vital contributions they can make to the force.

When Will The British Army Start Recruiting Commonwealth

• The recruitment portal will be accessible for a duration of seven days, from August 19th to August 25th, 2024.
• Note that you will only be able to apply within this period

Eligibility Criteria for Commonwealth Citizens

To apply for the British Army under the Commonwealth recruitment initiative, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria:

1. Nationality: Applicants must be citizens of a Commonwealth country. The application process is open to all Commonwealth nationals without the need for residency in the UK at the time of application.
2. Age: The age requirements for Commonwealth recruits are the same as for UK citizens. Applicants must be between 16 and 50 years old, depending on the role they are applying for.
3. Health and Fitness: As with all British Army recruits, Commonwealth applicants must pass a medical examination and meet the physical fitness standards required by the Army.
4. Educational Requirements: Educational qualifications vary depending on the role. Some positions may require specific academic achievements, while others may focus more on practical skills and experience.
5. Language Proficiency: Commonwealth applicants must have a good command of the English language, both spoken and written, as all training and operations are conducted in English.

Career Opportunities

• Corps of Army Music (Musicians, instrumentalists)
• Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME)
• RE Technician
• Tradesmen and Para (Paratroopers)

Requirements

Corps of Army Music

• Educational Requirements: No formal educational qualifications are necessary.
• Instrument Skills: Proficiency in playing a musical instrument is required.
• Fitness Test: You must achieve a score of 4.02 on the Multistage Fitness Test (MSFT), which assesses your aerobic endurance.
• Strength Assessment: Demonstrate the ability to lift a 50kg barbell from mid-thigh, which evaluates lower body and back strength.
• Upper Body Power: You need to throw a medicine ball a minimum distance of 2.7 meters to test your upper body power and explosive strength.

Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

• Academic Requirements: Must have grades A to C in Maths, English, and Science from WASSCE/GCSE.
• Fitness Test: Achieve a score of 6.06 on the Multistage Fitness Test (MSFT).
• Strength Assessment: Ability to lift a 50kg barbell from mid-thigh.
• Medicine Ball Throw: No specific requirement for the medicine ball throw.

RE Technician

• Educational Requirements: Must have grades A to D in Maths and English.
• Fitness Test: Must pass the 7.05 Multistage Fitness Test (MSFT).
• Strength Assessment: Ability to lift a 50kg weight bar to mid-thigh.
• Medicine Ball Throw: Required to throw a medicine ball a distance of 3.0 meters.

Tradesmen and Parachute Regiment

• Fitness Test: Must achieve a score of 6.06 on the Multistage Fitness Test (MSFT).
• Strength Assessment: Ability to lift a 76kg weight bar to mid-thigh.
• Medicine Ball Throw: Required to throw a medicine ball a distance of 3.1 meters.
• Educational Requirements: No specific academic qualifications needed.
• Parachute Regiment Development Visit: Participation in a development visit for the Parachute Regiment is required.

How To Apply For British Army Recruitment

1. First visit the British Army Recruitment Portal at : https://jobs.army.mod.uk/ apply/
2. Tap on the “Accept All Cookies” button
3. Tap on the “Apply Now” button
4. Read through the Nationality requirements and proceed as a commonwealth applicant
5. Proceed to fill the online application form
6. Then fill the online questionnaire
7. Afterwards, upload your passport
8. Proceed to upload your education and trade certificates
9. Expect to take interview over phone or Microsoft teams at a scheduled date

Application Process for Commonwealth Citizens

The recruitment process for Commonwealth citizens follows a similar pathway to that of UK nationals, with some additional considerations:

1. Online Application: Interested candidates must start by submitting an online application through the official British Army recruitment website. Applicants will need to provide personal information, details about their education and employment history, and other relevant documentation.
2. Assessment and Selection: After the initial application is reviewed, candidates may be invited to attend an assessment center in the UK. This stage includes medical exams, physical fitness tests, and interviews to determine the applicant’s suitability for the Army.
3. Visa and Immigration: Successful candidates must obtain the necessary visa to enter the UK for training. The British Army supports recruits in this process, but applicants must comply with UK immigration regulations.
4. Basic Training: Once in the UK, recruits will undergo basic military training, which covers everything from physical fitness to weapons handling and tactical skills. This training is designed to prepare all soldiers, regardless of their background, for the challenges of Army life.

Training

Basic training in the British Army is designed to prepare recruits for military life and instill essential skills. The training varies depending on the role:

• Regular Soldiers: Undergo a 14-week basic training course at the Army Training Centre in Pirbright or Catterick.
• Officers: Attend a 44-week course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, which includes leadership training and academic instruction.
• Reserves: Complete a shorter initial training course, followed by weekend and evening training sessions.