Identifying British Army infantry recruit population characteristics using biographical data

Area of Science:

• Military Health
• Sociology
• Public Health

Background:

• The British Army infantry comprises over a quarter of the total force.
• Limited data exists on the socio-educational profiles of infantry recruits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the personal, social, and educational backgrounds of British Army infantry recruits before their enlistment.

Main Methods:

• A sample of 1000 male infantry recruits completed a 95-item biographical questionnaire.
• Descriptive statistics were employed to analyze demographic, physical, personal, social, and educational attributes.

Main Results:

• Over 50% of recruits consumed alcohol hazardously or harmfully pre-enlistment.
• 60% had prior cannabis use, and academic attainment was generally low (GCSE grade C or below).
• More than half had prior police involvement, school suspensions, or expulsions.

Conclusions:

• Substance misuse and behavioral issues are highly prevalent in infantry recruits before enlistment.
• This data questions the assumption that the British Army infantry causes these behaviors, as they are also common in regular service personnel.