AFC delivers two 'Phase 1' initial training courses: the 'long course' of 49 weeks, mainly for recruits in combat roles, and the 23-week 'short course' for recruits in most other roles.[1] In addition to their military training, recruits are enrolled onto basic
Functional Skills courses in English, maths, and
ICT.[2]
Approximately 1,200 boys and 100 girls begin training at AFC annually, of whom approximately 500 are enrolled for the infantry.[3] On average, 70% of recruits complete their course, then moving to other army units for their 'Phase 2' role-specific training.[4]
AFC is graded 'outstanding' for welfare by
Ofsted but has also attracted criticism for the physical and sexual abuse of recruits,[5][6][7][8] high drop-out rate,[4] and high running costs.[9]
Tom Moore was appointed as the first
honorary colonel of the college on his 100th birthday, in recognition of his fundraising success during the
2020 COVID-19 pandemic.[13][14] When acting in that capacity, he was addressed as 'Colonel Tom'.[15]
There are two entry points annually, in September and March; and two graduations, in August and February.[1]
Each year, approximately 1,200 boys and 100 girls begin their army training at AFC, of whom approximately 500 are training for
infantry roles.[3]
Official figures for the period from 2017–18 to 2020–21 show that, on average, 70% of recruits on the 49-week course complete their year at the college.[4]
Education
In addition to initial military training, Junior Soldiers can study
Functional Skills courses in maths, English and IT at Levels 1 and 2, provided by Pearson TQ.[2] Those who already have qualifications in mathematics and English have the option to study two units of a
BTEC Certificate in Public Services at Level 3, however not the full qualification.[18]
The education provided has drawn both praise[19] and criticism.[20]
As of 2023[update], it cost £85.5 million per annum to operate AFC;[26] the cost of training an infantry soldier through AFC for Phase 1 and then at the
Infantry Training Centre for Phase 2 was £170,000.[27]
Controversy
Retention
The
British Army's policy of enlisting from age 16 has been criticised for leading to lower trainee
retention than is found among adult recruits.[28]
In response to these concerns, the
Ministry of Defence (MOD) has defended the current policy, stating in 2016: 'The army needs to attract school and college leavers at the earliest opportunity.'[37] In the same year, the
Chief of the General Staff, General
Sir Nick Carter, added: '[T]he fact that our junior entry is always 100% manned is indicative of people finding that it is something that is really positive to do.'[38]
Duty of care
Ofsted grade
In 2018 and 2021, the education inspectorate
Ofsted awarded the college an 'outstanding' grade for its duty of care. The 2021 report noted: 'Recruits speak consistently of fair and respectful treatment from all staff...'[5]
Abuse cases
Between 2014 and 2022, recruits made 72 formal complaints of allegations of assault or other ill-treatment by staff at the college.[6][7] 13 of the allegations were proven following investigation, of which seven occurred since 2017.[39]
In 2021, nine investigations were opened into sexual offences against 22 girls at AFC; in one investigation, three of the suspected perpetrators were members of staff.[40][41] The revelations were the subject of a Vice News report in July 2022.[42]
In 2021, an instructor was convicted for abusing recruits.[43][44]
In 2023, another instructor was convicted of eight counts of disgraceful conduct of a cruel or indecent kind and one count of sexual assault, which took place over nine months between 2020 and 2021.[45]
Also in 2023,
North Yorkshire Police revealed that 13 complaints of sexual assault AFC, including nine of
rape, had been referred to them between July 2022 and August 2023.[8][46]
In 2017, the MOD confirmed reports that 17
instructors at AFC would be standing trial at
court martial for 40 counts of alleged
physical abuse of recruits during battle camp at
Kirkudbright, Scotland, in 2014.[47]ForcesTV, and the
Guardian reported that the allegations included assault, holding trainees' heads under water, and forcing animal dung into their mouths.[48][49][50] The case was reported as the British Army's largest ever investigation of abuse.[51][52]
At a preliminary hearing in September 2017, the accused pleaded not guilty to all charges.[50] The trial in February 2018 collapsed after the judge ruled that the investigation by the
Royal Military Police had been 'seriously flawed', and that a fair trial for the defendants would no longer be possible.[53]
An internal review confirmed multiple failings by the Royal Military Police. It noted that, in addition to recruits who had lodged formal complaints, 'a considerable number of JS [junior soldier recruits] who had been the subject of ill treatment / assaults' had not wished to do so.[54]