Defence written question – answered at on 25 April 2013.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence
(1) what proportion of recruits who enlisted (a) below the age of 18 and (b) aged 18 and over extended their service contract beyond the minimum service period in the latest period for which figures are available;
(2) what proportion of recruits who enlisted (a) below the age of 18 and (b) aged 18 and over had been in service for 10 years or more in the latest period for which figures are available;
(3) what proportion of recruits who enlisted (a) below the age of 18 and (b) aged 18 and over left the armed forces before completing (i) phase two training and (ii) their minimum initial service period in the latest period for which figures are available.
The information available on extensions of service contract, on those personnel who serve 10 years or more, and on those who leave the armed forces before completion of Phase 2 training and their minimum initial service period, is not held in the format requested, nor can it be matched against age or date of birth data without incurring disproportionate cost.
However, the Army have identified that in financial year 2012-13 some 12% of under 18s left before completion of their Phase 2 training against the total number who enlist under the age of 18. In comparison some 14% of those who enlisted over the age of 18 left before completing their training.
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