My dad was 15 when he joined. While his mum was terribly proud- I have no doubt that she was also worried and afraid for him. He loved the army and when he retired from the army he held the rank of a major.
I JOINED WHEN I WAS 16 IN THE DAYS WHEN THERE WAS THREE SCHOOLS WHERE THEY WERE PROVIDING BASIC ARMY TRAINING FOLLOWED BY AN APPRENTICESHIP IN A VARIETY OF TRADES FOR THREE YEARS.
A least they are doing something within their lives, I was a junior soldier an it set me up for life . At least they're not hanging around the streets.
I joined the Royal Air Force at 16 in 1980. Served over 13 years until the end of the Cold War retired me. 16 Years old is never too young to serve your country, but you also need to retain your men (and women) encouraging those recruits to stay in the Army for longer term engagements. Many don’t and leave after only 3 or 6 years which to me is a great waste of resources. Well done to all the new recruits, stay safe out there.🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
@@pricelesspppThanks for your kind words Andy. I was not a pilot but a weapon specialist, an RAF Armourer. I did get to go back seat in an RAF fighter and take control of her for a while. In my time in the RAF I did get to fly in various aircraft that you would be familiar with, the C-130 Hercules, the Chinook and the Blackhawk helicopters. Take care.🇬🇧🇺🇸
I joined The Junior Leaders Regiment, Royal Corps of Transport, at 16. I was completely out of my depth but I persevered and passed out with my mates a year later. 12yrs of Army service, 23yrs of police service and now a happy retiree that can look back on those days with pride.
I joined the United states Marine corps when I was 16 and sworn in and left for basic training 2 days before I graduated high school and became a Pfc out of boot camp and got Lance Corporal atb18. The point is at that age they can mold you and shape you into a well rounded soldier and or Marine. ** I'm proud of this young man and I wish him a long and happy career. God bless you and to all that are reading this.. Greetings from Detroit Mich....
@@stuart4341 Wrong you could be 16 with parents consent and I was 17 when I left and turned 18 before I finished bootcamp.. when I joined in June of 1986 I turned 17 in August of that year and left 2 days before my graduation commencement in June of 87. You can be 16 and join as I said with a parents permission.. I hope that clears it up and yes absolutely you have to be a high school graduate and that I was in June of 87. Sworn in at Detroit Mich. At the age of 16.
Congratulations to everyone!! His decision to join the military at 16 was one of the best things he's ever done, and he looks forward to a long and rewarding career.
My Farther, my Brother, my Niece all joined and signed up at sixteen and three generations of soldiers defending our country at one time or another and they all turned out brilliantly and great citizens of our country and contributed one way or another fantastically to our society and all said the Army made them.
I joined the Junior Leaders Regiment Royal Armoured Corp, at 16, in 1976 and served Her Majesty for 18 years man and boy, back then you were not allowed to go on operational deployment till 18, so what's the problem, it was the best job I ever had, serving as a tank crewman, ending up as a Sgt Tank commander, brilliant life, I 62 now, and would gladly do it all again Fear Naught
Joining so young is great. That's not the problem. The problems come later on. The longer they stay in, the harder it becomes. I found it hard when leaving. Still find it hard and I've been out 14 years. Going from home life to the Army and having that structure and protection was amazing. But then leaving and having to fend for your self and having no support like you do In the army is not a nice feeling. And the longer you serve the worse it will become imo. Joining so young means you haven't really lived. But then if you have lived then I doubt you would join the Army. Loved my time wouldn't swap it for anything. Well done to all these young guys and gals.
The problem is nobody thinks ahead . Nobody thinks about what comes after Army life. Compounded by the fact that once you leave, the Army/MOD are no longer interested. Resettlement is a joke . Although I think both of those issues are better than they were in my time.
I joined the Army in 1980 at 16 and went on to do my full service,22 years plus 2 as a junior soldier, then did another 8in the Ta. I would say it’s one of the best ages to start your military career.
It kept me out of trouble, I was stupid as a young man, the fact is had the army not accepted me at 15, I would have been much better known to the police. Well done young man, you even joined the BEST Corps!
I joined the All Arms Junior Leaders Regiment, Tonfanau Camp Wales, age 15 and a half in September 1965. I was in the British Army for almost 6 years and the training I received set me up for life. I ended up as the Director, New South Wales Archives before I retired in 2012.
@@IITJII95 Damn, so much negativity. There is so much opportunity in this country and world leader in so many areas yet people like you are in a constant depression. Try travelling around the world and see how great we have it.
He took his first step in becoming a better, more rounded, respectable, responsible, and disciplined man. I hope he continues on this path and wish him the best of luck for the future.
This is very interesting. I was 17 when I enlisted in the US Army, but I needed my parent's permission to join at that age. If it had been allowed in the US, I'd have loved to enlist at 16.
It’s the same in the UK you need your parental permission to join from the age of 16 to the moment you’re 18. But the UK to send anybody into combat until they are 18 years of age
I can’t understand people disapproving of youngsters being in a supportive environment, training for a career and being paid. The same people would happily send kids out into university alone, racking up enough debt to put a deposit on a home, for no guarantee of employment!
As someone who did Harrogate and served 8 years I can confirm it's way too young and I only wish I remained in my apprenticeship i started at 16. The Army promises Qualifications however they are completely useless on civvy street. Another thing is that when you get into the field army you don't get treated seriously as a junior soldier and if your face doesn't fit you'll know on your SJAR. Back onto qualifications though, they are truly completely useless. I had retraded midway through my career to a plumber within the Engineers, not only was the retrade process a pain in the ass but we never even touched my trade after trade training. When I ended up leaving I showed my city and guilds in plumbing to a plumbing bussiness and was pretty much laughed out the office. I thus had to take an apprenticeship instead and attempt to support my family on an apprentice wage of about £14k pa for 24 months. Safe to say I just wish I didn't join the army till I was older and do hope the Army increases the joining age to atleast 18 but 21 would be more ideal as well as increasing the max age.
☹️ shame you had that experience but I joined at 16 and had a great time for 27 years, then had no trouble on leaving. I guess it’s horses for courses or just a matter of luck sometimes 🤷♂️. Hope you are OK now tho’? 👍🤞
@@johnnunn8688 don't get me wrong, I did enjoy my time within the Army, minus the retrade part, but the qualifications were just completely useless but it is what it is. Yeah I'm all good now, luckily the miss completed her degree in nursing half way through my apprenticeship so we were able to stay a float, SSAFA were also a big help.
@@riderofthewhitehorse8879 mate, so glad to hear that SSAFA was helpful. One hears a lot of negative stories about them. I know what you mean about quals though. I did my 2 years RAF apprenticeship and practiced my trade for 25 years but although I could work on civvy aircraft when I came out, I was not licensed and a licensed civvy engineer had to oversign me. I then worked on Stagecoach buses, nobody had to oversign me and I earned a lot more. What’s that about? Anyway, all the best.
I have to agree with you, the army qualifications are useless and at 16 years old, you aren't going to know whether it was a good choice for you to join at that age until many years later. Personally I wish I did my A levels before joining the army at 16 in hindsight so doing a degree would have been more accessible for me when leaving the forces. I don't think the bodies of these guys will be grateful for them joining when they reach 40 putting their body through many stresses before fully developing. If my kids wanted to join so young in the future I would recommend they do their A levels and if they are serious about military service they can join the territorial army until they finish their A levels and make a decision after that. That said, all credit to these young guys and girls and best wishes to them in their future.
I know that you get no where in the army if your face doesn't fit served 15years royal engineers told them to stuff it in the end on the day I dekitted I was asked to change my mind I was a a1 specialist driver and they were short of 2500 specialist drivers at the time
i was 15 when i joined the british army as a apprentice chef, i went to training 2 weeks after my 16th bithday, i was on 4 weeks leave, and it was the best move i ever made in my life, before i was even 17 , we where all lining up outside our platoons commanders office, ready to go to the falklands war in 1982, 16 is the perfect age to go in army and learn a trade.
The son of a local shopkeeper joined up at 16 [1990 from memory] as well, took him a couple of years to persuade his dad to let him but he agreed and he joined as soon as he was old enough. And into the Catering Corp as well. He reckoned 20+ years in the army would give him plenty to time to learn all about cooking/becoming a chef and when he left he wouldn't have problems getting a job in civvy street. Last I heard he'd passed out with flying colours and signed up for the 20 year stint. Loved it, I lost touch with his father when I moved but hopefully he served and got a good job when he left.
@@MayYourGodGoWithYou now i am unemployed with no help or support, 57 year old single male living alone, no help or support from any where, the job centre refuses to even talk to me, i can not even wash or dress no money to buy hygiene products and no money to buy new cloths to dress, the world refuses to help me ot itself, and world population is too lazy to work, and refuse jobs, which means, i can not hire staff and can not claim benefit, and as a single male, get no cost of living support, i feel like job centre refusel to pay me , is leaving under house arrest, even lawyers refuse to help me, every door i knock on is ignoring me, this is how 57 year old vets are treated, i do not know my country and world any more, i expect to be evicted from mu home by end of year, then dead the streets. i am getting no finance aid at all, and job centre refuses to help me, and dwp just cover the job centre abuse up, 13 million people uk need help and refuse to claim benefits, another 3 million people are sanctioned, the country is in the mess it is in, cause job centres are too incopadent to do their jobs, and help the job seeker and business. 20 years i have been unemployed now, with zero help from job centre, government or any way, no idea how i have managed this long.
When I was doing recruit training in the irish defence forces. Back in the early 00s. We had a guy in our recruit class who at 18 had been a Sargent In the reserves had joined that at 14. "Exaggerated his age" Great soldier great man. I think learning leadership skills so young did him the world of good.
I don’t even salute our country anymore because of the disgrace it has become, I only salute the lads that defend our country for without them we wouldn’t be here today 🫡🫡
I joined the Junior Leaders regiment Royal Engineers at Old Park Barracks Dover in 1986 aged 16 It has been my greatest pride and influence and made me who I am today
Wish this would wider spread, an option for national service, 2 years out of school 16 to 18, or 18 to 21. Maybe a two tiered system, with the 16 to 18 year olds graduating the 18 to 21 bracket for full combat roles. Army, Navy, RAF are perfect places to develop as a young person. Teaches you skills, principles, dignity, respect. Bless all those signing up, I am grateful.
Joined in 2014 Waterloo company 2 platoon best year of my life,Trained to the highest soldiering standards and met and was trained by some of the best guys ever, All in all memories for life and lessons only a select few will know and knowledge 🇬🇧
Fantastic representation of how not all of the latest generation are lost, these young men are a fine example of soldiers and I wish them the very best with their future careers. 🇬🇧
I joined the Army at 16 back in 1979 when most regiments had a junior leader training regiments. You spent a year in training then went and did your adult training before joining your units. I had a fulfilling 39 years in the army and look back with fond memories. I hope that this option for school leavers continues.
I joined the US Army at 16. You can't do that today.... impossible... Straight out of basic into combat... I got an education all right...hard knocks.... Retired special forces..
The Army is down down to 70,000 in the 1980s it was 160,000 which is the ideal number. 16 years old is far too young for war. The 16 yearolds are even younger than a lot of cadets. Even 19 years old is young. There is still lots and lots to learn.
People at such a young age aren’t sure what they want to do with there life the Army and other armed forces shows them what they can achieve with effort some it works for and some not but give them all 10/10 for giving it a go
He is right!!!!! The best time to develop and direct your learning and career skiils !!! Congratulations to a favoured son of Britian:) All the BEST!!!!!!!
Think someone should mention that junior soldiers are not allowed on active service till 18. Used to be known as Junior Leaders, nicknamed Junior Bleeders.
Joined as an Apprentice in 1977 at 16.5, when the REME has an Apprentice College in Arborfield, the Royal Engineers at Chepstow (now home of the Rifles), and the Royals Signals were at Harrogate ( now the Foundation College). They used to say that as a percentage, more apprentices becalmed SNCO’s or Commissioned than adult recruits. We all learnt a trade, and got paid for doing so. The other Corps also had Junior Leaders Regiments, as well as the various Infantry Divisions and Royal Armoured Corps.
It's also the same age (one 'just on the cuff' of turning 16) that the BA were recruiting 20 years ago before Op Telic. It's neither new or impressive. Some nations go even younger - although granted thats somewhat absurd in those places at times and far from a worthwhile norm for this discussion.
I was 15 years and 3 months when I walked though the gates of Sir John Moore Barracks to start my JL. 22 years later I walked out after having the time of my life. Highly recommend it to any youngster who wants to do and go places they’ll be unlikely to do or go to in civvie street.
I'd rather these young boys at 16 do something productive. Joining the Army looks to be a really good thing not just for the country but also the physical and mental well-being of these young soldiers.
That discipline that he will learn there will do him the world of good regardless of whether he will be a career soldier or goes to do something in civvy Street.
16 and 3months when I joined, didn't do me any harm, best this I ever did, 24years of a cracking time👍 no issues upon retiring and adjusting in 2010, found my feet and now run my own business.
If I was prime minister every 16-21 year old would have National service for a minimum of two years if they how to go to college or get a job within that timeframe. Anyone have a time frame who is unemployed and hasn’t done anything with their life would have no choice
I joined at 16 and I have gained some great skills from it . Skills which would have taken years in normal every day life. I have seen boys being moulded into men then still treated like boys. I have met mothers and fathers of the people I’ve joined with and on more than one occasion I’ve heard people say that once their son/daughter went into the army at such an young, naive , influential age they didn’t come back as the children they knew. It can deeply effect and traumatise kids as this age and it isn’t spoken about enough. We only see the highs and how good it’s done service leavers but the damage goes mostly under the radar. Suicide is someone on the radar of vertebra but hey are often forgotten. Apart from suicide which still doesn’t get enough attention to this day. Nothing is touched on what the negative impacts are on kids are this age. I was asked about the pros and cons of joining the army at 16 whilst in basic training. Interestingly this question is only asked whilst being under the influence of the armed forces . Who’s going to go against the armed forces when their at such an influential and naive age and already in the system? Not many. Ask those same people/ parents once they’ve left and you’ll hear a different story.
Issue I have is that Harrogate bods tend to be too institutionalised when they sign off and can't cope with civvi life. Best advice my brother gave me was to get a proper job before joining the army.
I joined the RAF when I was 15 as an apprentice, when I applied I had to have a Guardian signature to apply, my farther refused, as a a WW2 Veteran he had seen too much, But I convinced my mother if she didnt sign she would never see me again, she promptly signed , Her and I never regretted it, and my Farther finally showed up at the Passing out Parade at RAF Cosford, and gave me his Blessing, Life had changed then, I never regretted it...
I joined at 16 and did an electrical apprenticeship at Chepstow. Best thing I ever did. This method is great for the individual since it provides academic progress and trains you to be a good leader for your life in and after the army. Yes you have to grow up but it's no harder than going to a college in another part of the UK. Loved it and still have great friends from this period of my life.
It seems great to give these young men a head start on army training. But are the age limits for combat assignments? I'd think there should be. But what an impressive lad who spoke! He should make Brits proud.
I wish they would tell the full story about ages of Junior Soldiers. I'd just turned 16 years old & many of my fellow recruits were not even 16. It's not for everyone at this age & the body hasn't fully developed & that's why the majority of us still suffer from many injuries all these years on 😥
Be careful about using "body development" and "injuries" as an argument against any demographic being recruited, don't want to offended the pink people do we?
Well done young lad. I joined the Army at 17, and my first tour overseas at 18 and half a dozen after that. Then, 37 years later I retired from the Army, if I could, I would do it all over again.
I joined at 15 in 1973, the last intake of 15 year olds, probably the stupidest decision of my life and we were treated like idiots, the yungest had just turned 15 a few days before joining. He later got to Major as did 3 or 4 others, but over 30-40% left in the first 6 Months. Never went to Borstal but I can´t think it could have been much worse, we had a sadistic PS that should never have been in a training unit. You get get brainwashed and how many ex Forces voted for Brexit thinking you could just wave the Union Flag around vigorousley and everything would be fine? Good luck to him though. I doubt they still make somebody that didn´t shave use a broken pop bottle to shave with as a punishment?
The biggest problem with the age, is that there are countries (particularly in Africa) which have child soldiers and so most western nations have the lower age limit set to 18 which means that they can condemn these countries who have armies of child soldiers. But when the UK has 16 and 17 year olds then it undermines that entire effort to stamp out the practice of child soldiers. These countries mostly in Africa will take advantage to the children and it's basically a massive human rights abuse which destroys the children's life in so many ways. And they don't start at 16 they often start much earlier even before the child is a teenager. The UK should ban under 18's because otherwise it's hypocritical for the UK to even try to object to countries who have child soldiers.
15 year old male here, haven't got long left at school 8 months taking out all the holiday's I've always wanted to join the army, Once I am old enough I will go up and sign up. There are many reasons that I have wanted to join just to name a few 1. I don't want to associate with the wrong people that are in gang's nor do I want to join or end up in one. 2.Wanting to meet new people, In my opinion connecting with people in person is just better for me than online some people my call me backwards for thinking like that but I like it more. 3. I like military history from the UK all the way over to Japan basically all of it this is why history for me is one of the big reasons for me to want to join the army. (side note I have seen videos about wars such as Soviet Afghan war, Chechen wars between them and Russia, and now Russia and Ukraine I have seen as much as I can over the internet about such wars and others because of my interest in them even though they are horrible, I want to be a soldier to protect those who cannot like many of you guys that have protect your country other countries but I think that its a great opportunity for me and other young people to do this. Just like to put my thought out here usually don't do these type of things anyway thanks for your guy's time.
@@djscoah8037 Watch my videos on UA-cam SAS/Para Rebel then men apolgise. I have seen so many young comrades die Northern Irelend/ Oman and for what? Are they remembered later or prosecuted 50 years after an incident with the IRA.? You brain washed mate into thinking young boys and girls should join trhe army.
I agree everything was provided for you more barrack living conditions weren't as good as now but it was a much more organised woke free army and I'm only talking about 25 years ago
It leads to highly motivated young future leaders… instead of teenage drunks & junkies hanging out on street corners…unfortunately they have to do 5yrs when 18yr olds only do 3yrs and they don’t get the recognition of the extra 2yrs
My brother joined up as a junior leader in the early 80s, those days if you did anything wrong you just got a beating, not much spent on you in those days so hardly any activities, the main thing they all did was get drunk a lot when they could and have a lot of fights. I remember visiting him twice whilst he was in Germany, both times he was in jail for drunkenness and fighting. Now days i presume its a lot better, so worth a try. I did 9 years myself again in the 80/90s and would say it got better in the very late 80s where money seemed to be spent on things, prior i would say it was a pretend army (Nearing the end of the cold war), lack of manpower, very poor equipment, lots of bulling and no adventurous training at all. My first 5 years never did any adventurous training. (2 Years Berlin and then 3 years Germany). Never had the manpower to allow anyone to do anything. I remember the turn over rate for solider who had done their 3 years was 86%. They could not understand why so many got out. Plus the boredom, of the same thing day in day out, never any change and also the 3 Bs.
The lad isn't wrong that you can get a lot out of joining early but you have to remember that 16 is still a child in the eyes of the law and also by many people's standards so essentially child soldiers, slippery slope. At 16 kids are supposed to still be in school right?
No, they leave at the end of 15/turn of 16 depending on their birthday. Intake prior to the Iraq war was no different than this boy here. It's nothing new for the BA or their foundation colleges (such as Arborfield) not sure why they are making a big fuss.
You could lose a leg or be severely wounded commuting to an easy little office job as a civilian. I'd say it's far far far more statistically likely in fact.
My dad was 15 when he joined. While his mum was terribly proud- I have no doubt that she was also worried and afraid for him. He loved the army and when he retired from the army he held the rank of a major.
My dad was probably a warlord
I JOINED WHEN I WAS 16 IN THE DAYS WHEN THERE WAS THREE SCHOOLS WHERE THEY WERE PROVIDING BASIC ARMY TRAINING FOLLOWED BY AN APPRENTICESHIP IN A VARIETY OF TRADES FOR THREE YEARS.
I think that joining at 13-16 should be fine, I mean it can build more experience. It seems cool Im 16 and it looks real fun to go
I and my brother both joined at 15 the age got put up to 16 when the school leaving age changed.
Is he homeless?
A least they are doing something within their lives, I was a junior soldier an it set me up for life . At least they're not hanging around the streets.
😂😂typical boomer
@@bruv97 hey snow flake
Hey what's wrong with hanging around the streets? You got something you want to say about us pinatas bub?
@@germain9074 hey keyboard warrior f1ucking ldiot l0ser :)
I really need to talk to you, may I hv ur number?
I joined the Royal Air Force at 16 in 1980. Served over 13 years until the end of the Cold War retired me. 16 Years old is never too young to serve your country, but you also need to retain your men (and women) encouraging those recruits to stay in the Army for longer term engagements. Many don’t and leave after only 3 or 6 years which to me is a great waste of resources. Well done to all the new recruits, stay safe out there.🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
There was never any such thing as the Peace Dividend. It was a massive mistake.
RAF don't count!! ha ha
16 years and 8 months for me on December 1st 1980..Royal Netherlands Navy..did 8 fantastic years.
Heineken draught at 50 cents did help....!
Did you get to fly in your military career? Thanks for your service from across the pond!
@@pricelesspppThanks for your kind words Andy. I was not a pilot but a weapon specialist, an RAF Armourer. I did get to go back seat in an RAF fighter and take control of her for a while. In my time in the RAF I did get to fly in various aircraft that you would be familiar with, the C-130 Hercules, the Chinook and the Blackhawk helicopters. Take care.🇬🇧🇺🇸
I joined The Junior Leaders Regiment, Royal Corps of Transport, at 16. I was completely out of my depth but I persevered and passed out with my mates a year later. 12yrs of Army service, 23yrs of police service and now a happy retiree that can look back on those days with pride.
Well done mate, not all of us manage it unfortunately
Ok boomer
@@FactsPreacher Eh?
@@FactsPreacher grow up
the fact hes younger than some cadets and still looks better is mind boggling
Courageous and fearless young man; I'm immensely proud of people like him. True Brit 👏💪
Exactly why cadets should stop at the joining age. After that it's just cosplaying
@@GAFloppa yh man im basically at the age to join up but mums not letting me leave cadets/join the army yet so thats unfortunate
@G.A. yeah
I joined the United states Marine corps when I was 16 and sworn in and left for basic training 2 days before I graduated high school and became a Pfc out of boot camp and got Lance Corporal atb18.
The point is at that age they can mold you and shape you into a well rounded soldier and or Marine.
** I'm proud of this young man and I wish him a long and happy career.
God bless you and to all that are reading this..
Greetings from Detroit Mich....
How did you join at 16? i thought you had to be 17 and graduate high school.
@@stuart4341 Wrong you could be 16 with parents consent and I was 17 when I left and turned 18 before I finished bootcamp.. when I joined in June of 1986 I turned 17 in August of that year and left 2 days before my graduation commencement in June of 87.
You can be 16 and join as I said with a parents permission.. I hope that clears it up and yes absolutely you have to be a high school graduate and that I was in June of 87.
Sworn in at Detroit Mich. At the age of 16.
Congratulations to everyone!! His decision to join the military at 16 was one of the best things he's ever done, and he looks forward to a long and rewarding career.
My Farther, my Brother, my Niece all joined and signed up at sixteen and three generations of soldiers defending our country at one time or another and they all turned out brilliantly and great citizens of our country and contributed one way or another fantastically to our society and all said the Army made them.
I joined at 16 also, Basic Training Nearly killed me but i Made it. I was happy i joined at that age. Made me grow up very fast...
I joined the Junior Leaders Regiment Royal Armoured Corp, at 16, in 1976 and served Her Majesty for 18 years man and boy, back then you were not allowed to go on operational deployment till 18, so what's the problem, it was the best job I ever had, serving as a tank crewman, ending up as a Sgt Tank commander, brilliant life, I 62 now, and would gladly do it all again Fear Naught
B Sqn JLR RAC May 76 intake.
@@edsimkins9936 CSqn September 76 😎
Where u sleep at night?
2 paras were killed in the Falklands War aged 17
Ok boomer
My late father joined the RAF as a boy apprentice at 13yrs in 1932,served 18yrs then another 17yrs in the RNZAF.
Joining so young is great. That's not the problem. The problems come later on.
The longer they stay in, the harder it becomes.
I found it hard when leaving. Still find it hard and I've been out 14 years.
Going from home life to the Army and having that structure and protection was amazing. But then leaving and having to fend for your self and having no support like you do In the army is not a nice feeling. And the longer you serve the worse it will become imo.
Joining so young means you haven't really lived. But then if you have lived then I doubt you would join the Army.
Loved my time wouldn't swap it for anything. Well done to all these young guys and gals.
I think that’s a problem with society, or the modern lack of it. The world would be a better place with more mutual support and less back stabbing.
@juicylouisey that's civi Street for you unfortunately.
Was only 6 for me , joined when this kid did , RE same , I didn't have a clue about council tax an that electricity wasn't free🤣 .
They infantilise you..that's the point. But sleeping rough means no mortgage.
The problem is nobody thinks ahead . Nobody thinks about what comes after Army life. Compounded by the fact that once you leave, the Army/MOD are no longer interested. Resettlement is a joke . Although I think both of those issues are better than they were in my time.
I joined the Army in 1980 at 16 and went on to do my full service,22 years plus 2 as a junior soldier, then did another 8in the Ta. I would say it’s one of the best ages to start your military career.
I was 15 when I joined the Junior Leaders Regiment Royal Engineers and loved every minute of it, 16 is not too young.
It kept me out of trouble, I was stupid as a young man, the fact is had the army not accepted me at 15, I would have been much better known to the police.
Well done young man, you even joined the BEST Corps!
I joined the All Arms Junior Leaders Regiment, Tonfanau Camp Wales, age 15 and a half in September 1965. I was in the British Army for almost 6 years and the training I received set me up for life. I ended up as the Director, New South Wales Archives before I retired in 2012.
It’s an honourable career, respect to these brave boys! I have always admired the British army, stay proud ! love from Canada 🇬🇧🇨🇦❤
Honourable in the past maybe. Fighting for this dying country is pointless.
@@IITJII95 Damn, so much negativity. There is so much opportunity in this country and world leader in so many areas yet people like you are in a constant depression. Try travelling around the world and see how great we have it.
He took his first step in becoming a better, more rounded, respectable, responsible, and disciplined man. I hope he continues on this path and wish him the best of luck for the future.
Young kids today need that type of discipline and physical training.
This is very interesting. I was 17 when I enlisted in the US Army, but I needed my parent's permission to join at that age. If it had been allowed in the US, I'd have loved to enlist at 16.
It’s the same in the UK you need your parental permission to join from the age of 16 to the moment you’re 18. But the UK to send anybody into combat until they are 18 years of age
@@MrH1990s not sending someone to combat until they are 18 makes no sense.....if they are in a unit.
I can’t understand people disapproving of youngsters being in a supportive environment, training for a career and being paid.
The same people would happily send kids out into university alone, racking up enough debt to put a deposit on a home, for no guarantee of employment!
Good point, especially if they study some silly course.
Indeed. These kids aren’t going to war any time soon. They’re too young.
As someone who did Harrogate and served 8 years I can confirm it's way too young and I only wish I remained in my apprenticeship i started at 16.
The Army promises Qualifications however they are completely useless on civvy street. Another thing is that when you get into the field army you don't get treated seriously as a junior soldier and if your face doesn't fit you'll know on your SJAR.
Back onto qualifications though, they are truly completely useless. I had retraded midway through my career to a plumber within the Engineers, not only was the retrade process a pain in the ass but we never even touched my trade after trade training. When I ended up leaving I showed my city and guilds in plumbing to a plumbing bussiness and was pretty much laughed out the office. I thus had to take an apprenticeship instead and attempt to support my family on an apprentice wage of about £14k pa for 24 months.
Safe to say I just wish I didn't join the army till I was older and do hope the Army increases the joining age to atleast 18 but 21 would be more ideal as well as increasing the max age.
☹️ shame you had that experience but I joined at 16 and had a great time for 27 years, then had no trouble on leaving. I guess it’s horses for courses or just a matter of luck sometimes 🤷♂️. Hope you are OK now tho’? 👍🤞
@@johnnunn8688 don't get me wrong, I did enjoy my time within the Army, minus the retrade part, but the qualifications were just completely useless but it is what it is. Yeah I'm all good now, luckily the miss completed her degree in nursing half way through my apprenticeship so we were able to stay a float, SSAFA were also a big help.
@@riderofthewhitehorse8879 mate, so glad to hear that SSAFA was helpful. One hears a lot of negative stories about them.
I know what you mean about quals though. I did my 2 years RAF apprenticeship and practiced my trade for 25 years but although I could work on civvy aircraft when I came out, I was not licensed and a licensed civvy engineer had to oversign me. I then worked on Stagecoach buses, nobody had to oversign me and I earned a lot more. What’s that about?
Anyway, all the best.
I have to agree with you, the army qualifications are useless and at 16 years old, you aren't going to know whether it was a good choice for you to join at that age until many years later. Personally I wish I did my A levels before joining the army at 16 in hindsight so doing a degree would have been more accessible for me when leaving the forces.
I don't think the bodies of these guys will be grateful for them joining when they reach 40 putting their body through many stresses before fully developing.
If my kids wanted to join so young in the future I would recommend they do their A levels and if they are serious about military service they can join the territorial army until they finish their A levels and make a decision after that.
That said, all credit to these young guys and girls and best wishes to them in their future.
I know that you get no where in the army if your face doesn't fit served 15years royal engineers told them to stuff it in the end on the day I dekitted I was asked to change my mind I was a a1 specialist driver and they were short of 2500 specialist drivers at the time
i was 15 when i joined the british army as a apprentice chef, i went to training 2 weeks after my 16th bithday, i was on 4 weeks leave, and it was the best move i ever made in my life, before i was even 17 , we where all lining up outside our platoons commanders office, ready to go to the falklands war in 1982, 16 is the perfect age to go in army and learn a trade.
The son of a local shopkeeper joined up at 16 [1990 from memory] as well, took him a couple of years to persuade his dad to let him but he agreed and he joined as soon as he was old enough. And into the Catering Corp as well. He reckoned 20+ years in the army would give him plenty to time to learn all about cooking/becoming a chef and when he left he wouldn't have problems getting a job in civvy street. Last I heard he'd passed out with flying colours and signed up for the 20 year stint. Loved it, I lost touch with his father when I moved but hopefully he served and got a good job when he left.
@@MayYourGodGoWithYou now i am unemployed with no help or support, 57 year old single male living alone, no help or support from any where, the job centre refuses to even talk to me, i can not even wash or dress no money to buy hygiene products and no money to buy new cloths to dress, the world refuses to help me ot itself, and world population is too lazy to work, and refuse jobs, which means, i can not hire staff and can not claim benefit, and as a single male, get no cost of living support, i feel like job centre refusel to pay me , is leaving under house arrest, even lawyers refuse to help me, every door i knock on is ignoring me, this is how 57 year old vets are treated, i do not know my country and world any more, i expect to be evicted from mu home by end of year, then dead the streets. i am getting no finance aid at all, and job centre refuses to help me, and dwp just cover the job centre abuse up, 13 million people uk need help and refuse to claim benefits, another 3 million people are sanctioned, the country is in the mess it is in, cause job centres are too incopadent to do their jobs, and help the job seeker and business. 20 years i have been unemployed now, with zero help from job centre, government or any way, no idea how i have managed this long.
So these kids were born in 2005-2006. Crazy how time flies.
Greetings from Germany to our British alies...... 🇬🇧🏴🇩🇪👋
In 86 I joined the Royal Marines 2 weeks after finishing school at 16 and I wasn’t alone. 👍
Can't be true
I joined the army as a 15 year old Apprentice, the best thing I have ever done!
When I was doing recruit training in the irish defence forces. Back in the early 00s. We had a guy in our recruit class who at 18 had been a Sargent In the reserves had joined that at 14. "Exaggerated his age" Great soldier great man. I think learning leadership skills so young did him the world of good.
I don’t even salute our country anymore because of the disgrace it has become, I only salute the lads that defend our country for without them we wouldn’t be here today 🫡🫡
I joined the Junior Leaders regiment Royal Engineers at Old Park Barracks Dover in 1986 aged 16
It has been my greatest pride and influence and made me who I am today
I joined at old park in 1965, c squadron,, memories eh
0:10-0:15 “Youngest soldiers in the army”
*Crying baby in the background*
Wish this would wider spread, an option for national service, 2 years out of school 16 to 18, or 18 to 21. Maybe a two tiered system, with the 16 to 18 year olds graduating the 18 to 21 bracket for full combat roles.
Army, Navy, RAF are perfect places to develop as a young person. Teaches you skills, principles, dignity, respect. Bless all those signing up, I am grateful.
Joined in 2014 Waterloo company 2 platoon best year of my life,Trained to the highest soldiering standards and met and was trained by some of the best guys ever, All in all memories for life and lessons only a select few will know and knowledge 🇬🇧
How proud the parents must be , well done lad and well done parents
Lad... exactly or perhaps child??
@@bastogne315 OK Karen 👍
Total Respect
Fantastic representation of how not all of the latest generation are lost, these young men are a fine example of soldiers and I wish them the very best with their future careers. 🇬🇧
Ok boomer
I joined at 16 but I only stayed in for just under 25 years because I wasn't sure if it was for me. Best thing I did it was.
I joined the Army at 16 back in 1979 when most regiments had a junior leader training regiments. You spent a year in training then went and did your adult training before joining your units. I had a fulfilling 39 years in the army and look back with fond memories. I hope that this option for school leavers continues.
What Regiment?
@@FHIPrincePeter Royal Engineers
Well done!! Every country should have this option for the young in place. 👍
I joined the US Army at 16. You can't do that today.... impossible...
Straight out of basic into combat...
I got an education all right...hard knocks.... Retired special forces..
Joined the Navy in 72 and there was 3 lads who were 15 in my intake. Great lads as well
The Army is down down to 70,000 in the 1980s it was 160,000 which is the ideal number.
16 years old is far too young for war. The 16 yearolds are even younger than a lot of cadets. Even 19 years old is young. There is still lots and lots to learn.
I think this young guy will be a british future general
People at such a young age aren’t sure what they want to do with there life the Army and other armed forces shows them what they can achieve with effort some it works for and some not but give them all 10/10 for giving it a go
I joined at 15 in 1969, they were probably the best years of my life !!
He is right!!!!! The best time to develop and direct your learning and career skiils !!!
Congratulations to a favoured son of Britian:)
All the BEST!!!!!!!
I joined at 16 in 1983 and served until 2006 never did me any harm
Think someone should mention that junior soldiers are not allowed on active service till 18. Used to be known as Junior Leaders, nicknamed Junior Bleeders.
"Not young" until you see a real battlefield
Which they wont, because they're not allowed to perform active service until they're 18.
Joined as an Apprentice in 1977 at 16.5, when the REME has an Apprentice College in Arborfield, the Royal Engineers at Chepstow (now home of the Rifles), and the Royals Signals were at Harrogate ( now the Foundation College). They used to say that as a percentage, more apprentices becalmed SNCO’s or Commissioned than adult recruits. We all learnt a trade, and got paid for doing so.
The other Corps also had Junior Leaders Regiments, as well as the various Infantry Divisions and Royal Armoured Corps.
People who say 16-17 is too young to join are the same people who have never done anything difficult in their lives..
It's also the same age (one 'just on the cuff' of turning 16) that the BA were recruiting 20 years ago before Op Telic. It's neither new or impressive. Some nations go even younger - although granted thats somewhat absurd in those places at times and far from a worthwhile norm for this discussion.
Wrong I enlisted and went to AFC Harrogate at 16 you soon realise it’s a joke and your just a number really naive thing to say mate
My grandpa served in Soviet Army when he was 15 years old
I was 15 years and 3 months when I walked though the gates of Sir John Moore Barracks to start my JL.
22 years later I walked out after having the time of my life.
Highly recommend it to any youngster who wants to do and go places they’ll be unlikely to do or go to in civvie street.
I'd rather these young boys at 16 do something productive. Joining the Army looks to be a really good thing not just for the country but also the physical and mental well-being of these young soldiers.
That discipline that he will learn there will do him the world of good regardless of whether he will be a career soldier or goes to do something in civvy Street.
16 and 3months when I joined, didn't do me any harm, best this I ever did, 24years of a cracking time👍 no issues upon retiring and adjusting in 2010, found my feet and now run my own business.
Audie Murphy US Army was 17 when he joined and won the Medal of Honour at the age of 19. It’s the person, not the age that makes a good solder .
Great young man. As a former soldier, I salute you.
If I was prime minister every 16-21 year old would have National service for a minimum of two years if they how to go to college or get a job within that timeframe. Anyone have a time frame who is unemployed and hasn’t done anything with their life would have no choice
well done to that young man!
We should have a law stating that at 16 you either stay in school, start an aprenticeship or join the armed forces.
We do... That's literally how it works.
I recently heard British army was struggling but this was....
Wehen you say 16 is not young, keep average 16 in mind.
I joined at 16 and I have gained some great skills from it . Skills which would have taken years in normal every day life. I have seen boys being moulded into men then still treated like boys. I have met mothers and fathers of the people I’ve joined with and on more than one occasion I’ve heard people say that once their son/daughter went into the army at such an young, naive , influential age they didn’t come back as the children they knew. It can deeply effect and traumatise kids as this age and it isn’t spoken about enough. We only see the highs and how good it’s done service leavers but the damage goes mostly under the radar. Suicide is someone on the radar of vertebra but hey are often forgotten. Apart from suicide which still doesn’t get enough attention to this day. Nothing is touched on what the negative impacts are on kids are this age.
I was asked about the pros and cons of joining the army at 16 whilst in basic training. Interestingly this question is only asked whilst being under the influence of the armed forces . Who’s going to go against the armed forces when their at such an influential and naive age and already in the system? Not many. Ask those same people/ parents once they’ve left and you’ll hear a different story.
Very articulate young man.. very well done, have a great career 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧
Not old enough to buy vape juice or beer but old enough to decide to join the army. Something is very wrong there, one needs to be changed..
Same in the US, you can join, go to war but not drink a beer - stupid rule.
Good on him! Youngsters are not what they were 30 years ago. They know a lot more than 'we' knew back then.
Joined in 1983 at 16yrs old as a Junior Soldier just 2 days after leaving school, best thing ever.
Issue I have is that Harrogate bods tend to be too institutionalised when they sign off and can't cope with civvi life. Best advice my brother gave me was to get a proper job before joining the army.
Remarkable, truly!
16-17 year olds have had to fight for their country throughout history
I joined the RAF when I was 15 as an apprentice, when I applied I had to have a Guardian signature to apply, my farther refused, as a a WW2 Veteran he had seen too much, But I convinced my mother if she didnt sign she would never see me again, she promptly signed , Her and I never regretted it, and my Farther finally showed up at the Passing out Parade at RAF Cosford, and gave me his Blessing, Life had changed then, I never regretted it...
This discipline is exactly why western armies are training soldiers from Ukraine.
I joined at 16 and did an electrical apprenticeship at Chepstow. Best thing I ever did. This method is great for the individual since it provides academic progress and trains you to be a good leader for your life in and after the army. Yes you have to grow up but it's no harder than going to a college in another part of the UK. Loved it and still have great friends from this period of my life.
It seems great to give these young men a head start on army training. But are the age limits for combat assignments? I'd think there should be. But what an impressive lad who spoke! He should make Brits proud.
You will generally not be deployed on Ops until you are 18yr old.
I wish they would tell the full story about ages of Junior Soldiers. I'd just turned 16 years old & many of my fellow recruits were not even 16.
It's not for everyone at this age & the body hasn't fully developed & that's why the majority of us still suffer from many injuries all these years on 😥
Be careful about using "body development" and "injuries" as an argument against any demographic being recruited, don't want to offended the pink people do we?
I joined at 16 in 1989 went to jib shorncliffe best thing I ever done , made me a man with manners and pride and respect for others.
Well done young lad. I joined the Army at 17, and my first tour overseas at 18 and half a dozen after that. Then, 37 years later I retired from the Army, if I could, I would do it all over again.
Ok boomer
@@FactsPreacher You're actually a very sad little person
Did they forget the ones who served in WW1 and 2
And to think we had Boys in the British Navy. And Drummer boys in the Army 100s of years ago.
In the 60’s when 16 I was a boy soldier at JTR Rhyl. I had a great time
16 and 17 weren't too young in 1940 and conscripts at that. These young people will be the backbone of the Army in the future.
I joined at 15 in 1973, the last intake of 15 year olds, probably the stupidest decision of my life and we were treated like idiots, the yungest had just turned 15 a few days before joining. He later got to Major as did 3 or 4 others, but over 30-40% left in the first 6 Months.
Never went to Borstal but I can´t think it could have been much worse, we had a sadistic PS that should never have been in a training unit.
You get get brainwashed and how many ex Forces voted for Brexit thinking you could just wave the Union Flag around vigorousley and everything would be fine?
Good luck to him though.
I doubt they still make somebody that didn´t shave use a broken pop bottle to shave with as a punishment?
The biggest problem with the age, is that there are countries (particularly in Africa) which have child soldiers and so most western nations have the lower age limit set to 18 which means that they can condemn these countries who have armies of child soldiers. But when the UK has 16 and 17 year olds then it undermines that entire effort to stamp out the practice of child soldiers.
These countries mostly in Africa will take advantage to the children and it's basically a massive human rights abuse which destroys the children's life in so many ways. And they don't start at 16 they often start much earlier even before the child is a teenager.
The UK should ban under 18's because otherwise it's hypocritical for the UK to even try to object to countries who have child soldiers.
They can't go into combat till they are 18
Salute from North Carolina!
0:10 I love how you can hear a baby crying after he says they're the youngest soldiers in the British army
Joined the Royal Air force at 15 in 1963. Did me the world of good. Very hard at the time but looking back I was made a man from a brat
I joined on my 17th birthday in 70...passed out of training at 17 and a half...in 71...finished in 96..
A brassard on the No.2s. Is it a thing now?
Get em young and dumb because not one else is stupid enough. To go fight for what is clearly an oligarchy now days
Academies have children studing there that doesn't mean they go to war having 15 years old , they get graduate 18 as adult...
15 year old male here, haven't got long left at school 8 months taking out all the holiday's I've always wanted to join the army, Once I am old enough I will go up and sign up. There are many reasons that I have wanted to join just to name a few 1. I don't want to associate with the wrong people that are in gang's nor do I want to join or end up in one. 2.Wanting to meet new people, In my opinion connecting with people in person is just better for me than online some people my call me backwards for thinking like that but I like it more. 3. I like military history from the UK all the way over to Japan basically all of it this is why history for me is one of the big reasons for me to want to join the army. (side note I have seen videos about wars such as Soviet Afghan war, Chechen wars between them and Russia, and now Russia and Ukraine I have seen as much as I can over the internet about such wars and others because of my interest in them even though they are horrible, I want to be a soldier to protect those who cannot like many of you guys that have protect your country other countries but I think that its a great opportunity for me and other young people to do this. Just like to put my thought out here usually don't do these type of things anyway thanks for your guy's time.
Child killers? As ex SAS I am ashamed of the British Government nobody should go to war untill they are 21.
Walt bullshitter right there
@@djscoah8037 Watch my videos on UA-cam SAS/Para Rebel then men apolgise. I have seen so many young comrades die Northern Irelend/ Oman and for what? Are they remembered later or prosecuted 50 years after an incident with the IRA.? You brain washed mate into thinking young boys and girls should join trhe army.
Best time to be joining an organisation like the Army is probably in the formative years
I agree everything was provided for you more barrack living conditions weren't as good as now but it was a much more organised woke free army and I'm only talking about 25 years ago
Good. But don’t send them to the front line.
It leads to highly motivated young future leaders… instead of teenage drunks & junkies hanging out on street corners…unfortunately they have to do 5yrs when 18yr olds only do 3yrs and they don’t get the recognition of the extra 2yrs
My brother joined up as a junior leader in the early 80s, those days if you did anything wrong you just got a beating, not much spent on you in those days so hardly any activities, the main thing they all did was get drunk a lot when they could and have a lot of fights. I remember visiting him twice whilst he was in Germany, both times he was in jail for drunkenness and fighting.
Now days i presume its a lot better, so worth a try.
I did 9 years myself again in the 80/90s and would say it got better in the very late 80s where money seemed to be spent on things, prior i would say it was a pretend army (Nearing the end of the cold war), lack of manpower, very poor equipment, lots of bulling and no adventurous training at all. My first 5 years never did any adventurous training. (2 Years Berlin and then 3 years Germany). Never had the manpower to allow anyone to do anything. I remember the turn over rate for solider who had done their 3 years was 86%. They could not understand why so many got out.
Plus the boredom, of the same thing day in day out, never any change and also the 3 Bs.
If you can’t find something to occupy your mind in BAOR, other than getting bladdered, then a bloke can hardly blame the army.
The lad isn't wrong that you can get a lot out of joining early but you have to remember that 16 is still a child in the eyes of the law and also by many people's standards so essentially child soldiers, slippery slope. At 16 kids are supposed to still be in school right?
Can’t serve in a war zone until 18 tho’.
No, they leave at the end of 15/turn of 16 depending on their birthday. Intake prior to the Iraq war was no different than this boy here. It's nothing new for the BA or their foundation colleges (such as Arborfield) not sure why they are making a big fuss.
Not necessarily school but further education. That means apprenticeship or, guess what, our armed forces.
What makes me laugh about the military. You can lose a leg. You can get severely wounded. And they give you a little metal. This says thanks.
You could lose a leg or be severely wounded commuting to an easy little office job as a civilian. I'd say it's far far far more statistically likely in fact.
Too young to drink alcohol but old enough to sign up to die in a field somewhere? Sounds about right...
I joined the Grenadier Guards at 16 and it did not do me any harm!