The Ministry of Defence has revealed that the estimated cost of training a regular army recruit at the Army Training Centre in Pirbright is approximately £47,800 per person.
This figure includes costs associated with staff, accommodation, logistics, and other related expenses, according to an answer provided by Luke Pollard, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Defence, in response to a written question from James Cartlidge, MP for South Suffolk.
The cost covers the delivery of the Basic Training course, formally known as the Common Military Syllabus Future Soldier, which all Standard Entry recruits complete upon joining the Army.
A detailed breakdown of the costs is as follows:
| Cost Category | Cost (£thousands) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing | 2.0 | |
| Ammunition | 0.4 | |
| Trainee Pay | 12.2 | |
| Other Stock consumption | 0.4 | Includes ration packs and respirators |
| Workforce | 18.8 | Direct and indirect workforce costs for both military and civilian staff |
| Infrastructure | 11.8 | Accommodation and training facilities |
| Administration Overhead | 2.2 | |
| Total | 47.8 |
A significant portion of the costs, £18,800, is allocated to workforce expenses, which include the salaries of both military and civilian staff involved in the training process. Infrastructure costs, which cover accommodation and training facilities, amount to £11,800. Trainee pay during the course totals £12,200.
Other costs include £2,000 for clothing and £400 for ammunition, along with £400 for consumables such as ration packs and respirators. Administrative overheads add a further £2,200 to the overall expenditure.
Pollard noted that these are the latest available figures, based on financial year 2023-24 data.
The significant investment in each recruit underscores the Army’s commitment to ensuring that new soldiers are well-prepared for the demands of military service. The training programme at Pirbright is a crucial step in developing the skills and knowledge necessary for recruits to thrive in the Army, with costs reflecting the resources required to maintain high training standards.
