UK looks to military gap years to boost recruitment in the face of growing geopolitical tension

Harrogate, 2019. Steve Gill - Visuals/Shutterstock

The UK government recently endorsed proposals in its strategic defence review to consider the creation of military gap years for young people in the UK.

It would potentially be similar to a scheme offered by the Australian Defence Force. Young Australian citizens can spend 12 months doing paid work in a variety of roles in the Navy, Army or Air Force.

In Australia in 2023, 664 young people enlisted in the gap year programme,...