In February 2025, the UK Government publicly acknowledged major Armed Forces recruitment delays – confirming what thousands of applicants already knew: joining the Armed Forces takes far too long. Average wait times to enter UK military training were staggering:
Army – 249 days
Royal Navy / Royal Marines – 279 days
Royal Air Force – 301 days
Four months later, Canada’s Auditor-General confirmed almost identical delays on the other side of the Atlantic.
192,000 applied. 15,000 recruited. Average delay ≈ 300 days.
Different country, same problem.
(Source: Canadian Affairs: https://canadianaffairs.news/canadian-forces-bleeding-applicants-in-recruitment-process-report).
A global pattern emerges
For decades, military recruiting has focused on testing motivation — assuming those who truly want to serve will simply “wait it out.”
But in today’s fast-paced world, that mindset is outdated. Candidates don’t lack motivation – they lack momentum.
Both the UK and Canada are struggling with the same Armed Forces recruitment delays, losing capable people before they even reach training. Seeing talented, ready-to-serve individuals walk away, not because they’ve lost interest, but because the process drains it. The pipeline is too long, the communication too thin, and the sense of progress too faint.
The human cost of waiting
Behind every statistic is a person: a would-be soldier, sailor, or aviator trying to stay fit, focused, and financially afloat while waiting for a phone call or a joining date.
In that silence, uncertainty creeps in – and with it, doubt.
Modern Defence can’t afford to lose these people. Every month of inactivity is a loss of readiness, morale, and future leadership.
Not too woke to serve – too awake to wait
This isn’t about toughness or patriotism. It’s about system design.
As the world competes for resilient, disciplined people, the armed forces need a recruiting model that matches the speed and clarity of modern life. Recruits deserve structure, updates, and purpose – not limbo.
How AFM bridges the gap
That’s where Armed Forces Mentoring (AFM) steps in.
AFM keeps future recruits motivated, fit, and mission-ready while Defence systems catch up. We help applicants:
Maintain physical conditioning and mental discipline
Understand the process and stay proactive during long waits
Build the mindset and resilience that training demands
Our message is simple: don’t wait idly – prepare actively.
The takeaway
The UK, Canada, and Australia all face similar challenges – and all need future recruits who stay the course.
AFM exists to make sure those recruits arrive not only ready to serve, but ready to excel.