#BritishArmy is trending on X and Nigerians from various backgrounds have been weighing in on the discussion!
The story: The British Army is soliciting applications from qualified persons, including from the Commonwealth, and the application opened from Monday, August 19, 2024 until the 26th.
According to instructions on the website, intending applicants must have been referred by someone already serving in the Army through this scheme.
Available roles
Applicants must be must be applying for one of the following roles:
• Musician
• Royal Electrical
• Mechanical Engineering roles
• Royal Engineers Technician and Tradesman roles
• Paratrooper
Age requirements
To join as a soldier, the applicant must be at least 16 years old to join the Army as a soldier. So, the applicant can start his/her application at age 15 years and 7 months, but they won’t be able to go to the assessment centre until they’re at least 15 years and 9 months old.
For those who are under 17 years 6 months, they will attend Army Foundation College as a Junior Solider, before starting Standard Entry training.
And if you’re under 18, you’ll also need parental consent to join. Applicants are, however, enjoined to “be enlisted before 36th birthday.”
To join as an officer, applicant must be between 18 and 29, though higher age limits apply for specialists, e.g. doctors.
People over 30s are considered only by exception, on a case by case basis.
Applicant wishing to join as a reservist soldier must be at least 17 years and 9 months at the time of application, and they can apply for most roles until they’re 42 years and 6 months old, “but you must have joined by your 43 birthday.”
There are higher age limits for some specialist roles; while younger applicants can become an Army Cadet If they’re between 12 and 18.
Musicians
For musicians, the requirements are a little more stringent: the applicant must be aged at least 16 years & 6 months, and a maximum of 36 years & 11 months. Plus, the applicant must possess sound musical skills to pass audition.
However, the minimum amount you’ll earn during training is £25,200; your pay after completing basic trade training is £28,861.
Citizens of the Commonwealth are particularly encouraged to apply, especially if they’ve been living in the UK legally and with a valid visa, else, the applicant will need to pay for him-/herself to go back home to apply for a new visa, before carrying on with the application.
Successful applicants who are in the UK on a visa will be given ‘exempt immigration control’ status while they’re serving; and if they want to stay in the UK after their service ends, and have served for six or more years or been discharged as a result of an illness or injury caused by being in service, they will not have to pay a fee of £2,389 that would have applied for indefinite leave.
Naturalisation
Any recruit who may want to naturalise while still serving will have to pay all the costs, while also ensuring they meet the Home Office’s requirements. “Your service can count towards the residency part of the requirements,” the notification states.
For those joining from the Commonwealth countries, if they wish to bring their family, the applicant and his family must meet the immigration rules, pay for their visa and travel costs; in addition to meeting the minimum income and English language requirements.
The current minimum income requirements (MIR) to bring in entitled family members is £23,496, which is also the minimum salary after completing training. “This minimum salary will be the same, regardless of the number of children you want to take to the UK,” the recruitment website states.
Currently there are over 9,000 non-UK citizens serving in the UK armed forces from countries around the world including Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ghana, India, Jamaica, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, St Lucia and South Africa.
They have the privilege to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK when their service ends.
Nigerians react
What Nigerians are saying about the information and why #BritishArmy is trending on Nigerian social media space:
Is this really an opportunity?
How about joining our own military and defending our land?I thought we were independent.
— 0xHumphrey (∎, ∆) (@0xHumphrey) August 21, 2024
Nobody should be used as a cannon fodder. Be wise or perish.
— Johnkennedy (@Johnken59069863) August 21, 2024
It’s really a “once in a lifetime opportunity”
Who wan die?— 𝕆ℕ𝕆𝕁𝕀𝔼 (@ill_nojie) August 21, 2024
when someone who doesn’t like you & naturally denies you visa & is currently protesting against you in their streets suddenly turns around & invites you to ‘join army’
what they did to Nigerian soldiers they used in WW1 & WW2 can still be found online
but poverty is a b- –
— ᴋᴇᴍʟᴀ ʜᴇɪʀᴇѕѕ (@ayoadene) August 21, 2024
E don reach death matter now dem remember say we be members of Commonwealth. Na so dem tell us say we inherit Adam’s sins but not Solomon’s wealth. Selling Commondeath in the name of Commonwealth. If you like, put head. Boku, okugbe🚶♂️
— Jeremiah Adetunji (@jeremiadetunji) August 21, 2024
I wrote this a while ago, and its already manifesting 😂https://t.co/OxfvrYmHTZ
— Jeff George ™ (@jhon_odey) August 20, 2024
Really, they will need to apply for a visiting visa (6 months) all by themselves (all expenses on the applicant), show prove that they can fund their lifestyle for those 6 months while they go through the employment process.
Are they joking, who in Nigeria would be able to…
— Sgt Show (@Horiyourme) August 20, 2024
WAR IS LOOMING IN THEIR COUNTRY, they are trying to recruit troops for the front lines because their men are weak. Why didn’t they reach out to their EU/NATO allies they actually break bread and eat asses 🏳️🌈together no they want children of their former slaves to come and die…. pic.twitter.com/UNS4HyNE8i
— big_Deal (@biggy_smurfs) August 20, 2024
But they will send security agencies to disrupt the recruitment process for our medical practitioners planning to go to the Middle East but are okay with sending our young men to die in foreign battles. They are refusing our nurses their certification too.
Okay oooo— Peter Obi Ambassador_007 (@JesusOverNaija) August 21, 2024
The UK is about to poach our military guys. A new era is upon us. 😂😂😂 I hope the National Assembly will act swiftly to enact laws preventing our armed forces men from “japaing” the same as how they prevented doctors and nurses from leaving
— Onyekachi B. Ucheagwu (@kachiucheagwu) August 20, 2024
What were you offered to shill this to Nigerian citizens? Why are the British not signing up to their own Army? Because they don’t want to die in their senseless wars. Any Nigerian who gets to enlist will be used as cannon fodder, you may end up crippled or even dead!
— George Ager (@gager4ng) August 20, 2024
From the conditions spelt out, the UK government invariably needs experienced soldiers, not amateurs cos I don’t understand how they expect someone to get a referral who is a British army officer; for musicians, you must know how to sight-read and you will be able to sponsor…
— Onyekachi B. Ucheagwu (@kachiucheagwu) August 20, 2024
