Army Foundation College

Army Foundation College Harrogate
AFC Logo
Active1947 – 1996 (as the Army Apprentices School, Harrogate)
3 August 1998 – Present
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch British Army
RolePhase 1 Training establishment
Size~1,300 soldiers under training
~500 permanent staff
Part ofInitial Training Group (ITG)
LocationUniacke Barracks, Penny Pot Lane, Harrogate HG3 2SE
Motto(s)Trust, Courage, Team Spirit
ColoursRed, Yellow, Blue, Black & Green          
Commanders
Commanding OfficerLt Col Mike Butler ETS
Honorary ColonelCol Bear Grylls OBE
Army Foundation College gates

The Army Foundation College (AFC) in Harrogate, England, is the sole initial military training unit for British Army recruits who enlist aged between 16 and 17.5 years.[1]

AFC delivers two 'Phase 1' initial training courses: the 'long course' of 49 weeks, mainly for recruits in combat roles, and the 23-week 'short course' for recruits in most other roles.[1] In addition to their military training, recruits are enrolled onto basic Functional Skills courses in English, maths, and ICT.[2]

Approximately 1,200 boys and 100 girls begin training at AFC annually, of whom approximately 500 are enrolled for the infantry.[3] On average, 70% of recruits complete their course, then moving to other army units for their 'Phase 2' role-specific training.[4]

AFC is graded 'outstanding' for welfare by Ofsted but has also attracted criticism for the physical and sexual abuse of recruits,[5][6][7][8] and high running costs,[9] and racist abuse against black staff.[10][11]

  1. ^ a b British Army (n.d.). "Army Foundation College Harrogate". www.army.mod.uk. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
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  8. ^ Sabbagh, Dan (5 October 2023). "Nine rapes at Harrogate military college reported to civilian police in 13 months". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  9. ^ Westminster, Department of the Official Report (Hansard), House of Commons. "House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 23 Jun 2014 (pt 0003)". publications.parliament.uk. Retrieved 6 December 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ Al-Othman, Hannah (2 August 2024). "Face of British army recruitment drive wins payout for racist and sexist abuse". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  11. ^ "British Army racism apology to black 'poster girl' soldier". BBC News. 2 August 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024.