The Army’s Officer Internship Programme, which replaced the former Gap Year Commission in 2021, continues to offer a limited number of young people the opportunity to serve as an Army Officer for 12 months before, during, or after university.
According to answers provided by Defence Minister Luke Pollard in response to parliamentary questions from James Cartlidge MP, “the Gap Year Commission has been integrated into the Army Internship Programme,” with the Army offering up to 30 places annually.
Participants are given access to 52 role options across the service, allowing them to gain first-hand experience of leadership and military life.
Completion numbers have remained modest since the programme’s inception. Between 2017 and 2024, annual completions have ranged from 10 to 16 candidates, with the current 2024–25 intake numbering fewer than 10. The Ministry of Defence does not hold full historical data for the earlier years.
Interns are paid a spot rate aligned with pre-career officer pay and are non-pensionable. They receive accommodation in line with Joint Service Policy and, in the event of illness or injury, may be eligible for benefits under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.
Pollard confirmed that “there have been no recent discussions or proposed changes to the Internship scheme.” The Army sees the programme as a way to offer hands-on insight into military leadership and attract future officer candidates, without obliging participants to commit to long-term service.
While the Royal Navy and Royal Marines do not operate a similar internship programme, the Army Internship remains one of the few formal pathways for students or graduates to trial military life in an officer capacity.
Having taken my nephew to Sandhurst a couple of weeks ago, following an invite they gave him, and spent the entire day there, I don’t recall this option ever being talked about. He’s nearly 17 and told to apply for the 5 day assessment when he is 17 and 9 months. Have to say though, listening into other conversations around me from other hopefuls with Officers, it was an eye opener had some young people think. I’ll not state examples as I don’t want to pull them down, and maybe I was a naive dumbass also at that age, well maybe, well not at all, it was Lord of the flies stuff.
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Why does MoD have to use the Americanisms ‘intern’ and ‘internship’? Ugh! Sounds like some sort of inept or naive trainee.
‘Limited Commission’ or ‘SSLC’ was so much better.