§ Mr. Harry BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on junior leaders who seek a discharge from the armed forces(a) during their period of service and (b) upon attaining their 18th birthday; and if he has any plans to review this policy.
§ Mr. NeubertJunior leaders have the right to claim their discharge free of cost at any time after 28 days and before the end of six months after joining for duty at their training units. If discharge is not claimed during this period, junior leaders are required to serve for a minimum of six years after their 18th birthdays. However, on reaching the age of 18, they are given the option to reduce their engagements to three years.
Former junior leaders can apply for premature voluntary release on payment after completing three years service with their adult units. However, those who reduce their commitment to three years will not normally be released until they have honoured their reduced commitment in full.
There are no plans at present to review this policy, which reflects both the requirement for stability in manning the Army and the need to ensure a return on the high costs of initial training.