Each year, approximately 1,200 boys and 100 girls begin their army training at AFC, of whom approximately 500 are training for infantry roles. In 2016, an article in the RUSI Journal calculated that between 2009–10 and 2013–14, 67% of British Army recruits aged under 18 at enlistment completed Phase 1and 2 training. There are two entry points, in September and March; and two graduations, in September and March, each year.
Junior Soldiers enlisted for roles in combat arms are enrolled on a 42-week course.
Junior Soldiers enlisted for other army trades complete a shorter, 22-week course.
Despite the differing course lengths, all recruits are trained to the same standard of the Common Military Syllabus. Junior Soldiers who complete their Phase 1 training proceed to their Phase 2 courses at other establishments.
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 TQ Pearson. Those who already have qualifications in mathematics and English have the option to study for a BTEC Certificate in Public Services at Level Three. The education provided has drawn both praise and criticism.
Running costs
According to the Ministry of Defence, it costs the British Army approximately £62 million per annum to operate AFC. In 2014–15, the cost per successfully trained recruit was £90,000 for those on the 42-week course and £38,000 for those on the 22-week course.
Controversy
Cost of service delivery
AFC has been criticised for costing three times as much to deliver Phase 1 training to a 16-year-old infantry recruit as the equivalent cost for a recruit aged 17.5 and above at the Infantry Training Centre. The British Army's policy of enlisting from age 16 has also been criticised for leading to lower trainee retention than is found among adult recruits; between 2009–10 and 2013–14, 33% of enlisted minors dropped out of army training.
Age of enlistment
In view of developing children's rights standards and evidence showing a detrimental impact of military training and employment on younger recruits, several bodies, including the Children's Commissioners for each of the four nations of the UK and the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, have also called on the armed forces to raise the minimum age of enlistment to 18. In response to these concerns, the Ministry of Defence defended the current policy, stating in 2016: 'The army needs to attract school and college leavers at the earliest opportunity.' In the same year, the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Nick Carter, added: '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.'
Recruit abuse investigation 2014-18
Between 2014 and 2017, recruits made 50 formal complaints of allegations of assault or other ill-treatment by staff. 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. ForcesTV, the Mail on Sunday, and the Guardian reported that the allegations included assault, holding trainees' heads under water, and forcing animal dung into their mouths. The case was reported as the British army's largest ever investigation of abuse. At a preliminary hearing in September 2017, the accused pleaded not guilty to all charges. 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.
