The short service commission is the normal first commission for those who become an officer in the armed forces and requires a minimum engagement of three years. Certain corps and regiments may have longer minimum engagements. It is a commission for those who do not wish to commit to a long career but would like to benefit from the high quality training and exceptional opportunities available to young officers. The gap year commission is open to people who have a firm place at a UK university for a first degree. It involves a year's commission in the Army, at the end of which, personnel can decide either to join the Army or go to university.
The following tables show an intake by financial year of gap year commissions and short service commissions for each of the Services:
Financial year Gap year commission Short service commission 2000-01 — 50 2001-02 — 60 2002-03 — 10
Financial year Gap year commission1 Short service commission 2000-01 60 160 2001-02 70 160 2002-03 80 140 2003-04 70 120 2004-05 30 120 2005-06 40 50 2006-07 50 40 1 Gap year commissions are only utilised by the Army.
Financial year Gap year commission Short service commission 2000-01 — 160 2001-02 — I5O 2002-03 — 140 2003-04 — 130 2004-05 — 80 2005-06 — 80
As shown in the tables, no information is available for more recent years as it is not held in a format that is easily extractible. As such, information can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 26 March 2009, Official Report, column 565W. The position remains the same and there is nothing further I can add.