Army Foundation College

The Royal Signals Apprentices School was established in Harrogate to provide military and vocational training for the Royal Corps of Signals, Royal Artillery (RA) and Royal Engineers (RE) in 1947.{{cite web|url=http://aoha.org.uk/|title=Home – The Harrogate Apprentice|website=The Harrogate Apprentice|accessdate=4 December 2017}} It was renamed the Army Apprentices College in 1961 when the RA and RE were relocated, providing Royal Signals training until it closed in 1998. In September 1998, the site reopened as the Army Foundation College to provide initial military training to the army's youngest other ranks trainees, aged between 16 years and 17 years, 5 months, for a range of combat arms and services.{{cite web|url=https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/units/2482/army-foundation-college-harrogate/|title=Army Foundation College Harrogate – Regiment History, War & Military Records & Archives|website=www.forces-war-records.co.uk|accessdate=4 December 2017}} It was rebuilt by Jarvis under a private finance initiative contract worth £526.6 million between 2000 and 2002.{{cite news|url=https://www.accountancyage.com/aa/news/1755213/pricewaterhousecoopers-advises-mod-gbp862m-pfi-deal-army-foundation-college|title=PricewaterhouseCoopers advises MoD on £86.2m PFI deal for Army Foundation College – Accountancy Age|date=9 February 2000|work=Accountancy Age|accessdate=4 December 2017}}

Tom Moore was appointed as the first honorary colonel of the college on his 100th birthday, in recognition of his fundraising success during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web |last1=Laycock |first1=Mike |title=Captain Tom made honorary colonel on his 100th birthday |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/18414595.captain-tom-moore-made-honorary-colonel-100th-birthday/ |website=York Press |accessdate=29 April 2020 }}{{cite tweet |user=DefenceHQ/ |number=1255634247303323648 |date=30 April 2020 |title=In recognition of his incredible fundraising achievements for @NHSuk charities, @captaintommoore has been appointed as the first Honorary Colonel of the Army Foundation College, Harrogate. May we be one of the first to say, happy birthday Colonel Tom! }} When acting in that capacity, he was addressed as 'Colonel Tom'.{{cite web|title=Honorary Colonels in the British Army|url=https://medium.com/@DefenceHQ/honorary-colonels-in-the-british-army-1b6c2070a689|last1=Ministry of Defence|date=30 April 2020|website=Medium}} In July 2024, Bear Grylls was appointed Honorary Colonel of the college.{{cite web |title=Bear Grylls joins forces with British Army |url=https://www.army.mod.uk/news-and-events/news/2024/07/bear-grylls-joins-forces-with-british-army/#:~:text=A%20shared%20passion%20for%20helping,under%20the%20age%20of%2018. |website=army.mod.uk |publisher=British Ministry of Defence |access-date=11 July 2024}}

File:AASUniackeSign.jpg

File:Army Barracks - geograph.org.uk - 227596.jpg

AFC delivers two Phase 1 (initial military training) courses:

• Junior Soldiers enlisted for roles in combat arms (the Infantry, Royal Artillery, Household Cavalry and Royal Armoured Corps) are enrolled on a 49-week course. Junior Soldiers enlisted for roles in the Parachute Regiment are also enrolled on the Operation Achilles pathway during their last 12 weeks of phase 1 training.{{cite web|url=https://coachmikechadwick.com/tactical-athlete-academy/f/individualise-to-optimise---by-coach-mike-chadwick|title=Individualise to Optimise|author=Coach Mike Chadwick |date=25 April 2020|website=coachmikechadwick.com}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/co_afc/status/1237110908457029638?lang=en-GB

|title=Op Achilles|author=Lt Col Mike Buttler|date=1 March 2020|website=Twitter.com}}

• Junior Soldiers enlisted for other army trades complete a shorter, 23-week course.

Despite the differing course lengths, all recruits are trained to the same standard of the Common Military Syllabus (see Selection and Training in the British Army).

There are two entry points annually, in September and March; and two graduations, in August and February.

Each year, approximately 1,200 boys and 100 girls begin their army training at AFC, of whom approximately 500 are training for infantry roles.{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmhansrd/cm140623/text/140623w0004.htm|title=House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 23 Jun 2014 (pt 0004)|last=Westminster|first=Department of the Official Report (Hansard), House of Commons|website=publications.parliament.uk|accessdate=6 December 2017}}

Official figures for the period from 2017–18 to 2020–21 show that, on average, 70% of recruits on the 49-week course complete their year at the college.{{cite web |last=British Army |date=23 March 2022 |title=Freedom of Information request ref. FOI2022/02428 |url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/836461/response/2003851/attach/4/20220323%20FOI02122%2002428%20Gee%20response.pdf |access-date=16 August 2022 |website=whatdotheyknow.com}}

The British Army's policy of enlisting from age 16 has been criticised for leading to lower trainee retention than is found among adult recruits.{{cite journal |last1=Gee |first1=David |last2=Taylor |first2=Rachel |date=1 November 2016 |title=Is it Counterproductive to Enlist Minors into the Army? |journal=The RUSI Journal |volume=161 |issue=6 |pages=36–48 |doi=10.1080/03071847.2016.1265837 |s2cid=157986637 |issn=0307-1847}}

In addition to initial military training, Junior Soldiers can study Functional Skills courses in maths, English and IT at Levels 1 and 2, provided by Pearson TQ.{{cite web |last= Pearson TQ|date=1 August 2019 |title=Army Foundation College, Harrogate |url=https://www.pearson.com/uk/web/pearsontq/case-studies/army-foundation-college.html |accessdate=17 August 2022 |website=www.pearson.com}} Those who already have qualifications in mathematics and English have the option to study two units of a BTEC Certificate in Public Services at Level 3, however not the full qualification.{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2018-12-03/198354/|title=Army Foundation College: Qualifications:Written question – 198354|website=UK Parliament|accessdate=13 March 2019}}

AFC's biannual passing out parades, attended by friends, family and VIPs,{{cite web |date=15 August 2013 |title=Thousands watch biggest military graduation parade in Europe in Harrogate |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/10615363.harrogate-hosts-huge-parade-second-size-trooping-colour/ |access-date=13 July 2023 |website=The Northern Echo }} are second only in size to Trooping the Colour.{{cite web |title=UK hosts largest European military graduation parade |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-hosts-largest-european-military-graduation-parade |access-date=13 July 2023 |website=GOV.UK }} Each event is usually celebrated with a flypast from the Royal Air Force,{{cite web |last=Hartle |first=Harry Adams Lisa |date=18 February 2022 |title=Flypast marks passing out of over 400 British Army Junior Soldiers |url=https://www.forces.net/news/more-400-british-army-soldiers-pass-out-harrogate |access-date=13 July 2023 |website=Forces Network }} a musical performance from a Royal Corps of Army Music band, and a parachute display from one of the Army's parachute display teams.{{cite web |last=Ministry of Defence |date=2023 |title=Army Parachute Display Teams {{!}} The British Army |url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/army-parachute-display-teams/}}{{cite web |last=Chambers |first=Kirstie |date=5 August 2021 |title=Special Day For Army's Graduating Junior Soldiers |url=https://www.forces.net/news/british-army-graduates-pass-out-first-full-parade-2019 |access-date=13 July 2023 |website=Forces Network }}

{{As of|2023}}, it cost £85.5 million per annum to operate AFC;{{cite web |last=Murrison MP |first=Andrew |date=17 October 2023 |title=Army Foundation College: Question for Ministry of Defence |url=https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2023-10-17/202979 |access-date=2 November 2023 |website=Parliament.uk}} the cost of training an infantry soldier through AFC for Phase 1 and then at the Infantry Training Centre for Phase 2 was £170,000.{{cite web |last=Murrison MP |first=Andrew |date=13 October 2023 |title=Army: Training. Question for Ministry of Defence |url=https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2023-10-13/202061 |access-date=2 November 2023 |website=Parliament.uk}} File:Junior-soldiers-at-a-graduation.jpg

{{Main|children in the military}}

Research in the United Kingdom has found that the enlistment and training of adolescent children, even when they are not sent to war, is often accompanied by a higher risk of suicide,{{Cite journal |last1=Ursano |first1=Robert J. |last2=Kessler |first2=Ronald C. |last3=Stein |first3=Murray B. |last4=Naifeh |first4=James A. |last5=Aliaga |first5=Pablo A. |last6=Fullerton |first6=Carol S. |last7=Wynn |first7=Gary H. |last8=Vegella |first8=Patti L. |last9=Ng |first9=Tsz Hin Hinz |date=1 July 2016 |title=Risk Factors, Methods, and Timing of Suicide Attempts Among US Army Soldiers |journal=JAMA Psychiatry |language=en |volume=73 |issue=7 |pages=741–749 |doi=10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.0600 |issn=2168-622X |pmc=4937827 |pmid=27224848}}{{Cite web |last=UK Ministry of Defence |date=27 March 2018 |title=UK armed forces suicide and open verdict deaths: 1984–2017 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-armed-forces-suicide-and-open-verdict-deaths-2017 |access-date=7 September 2024 |website=GOV.UK}} stress-related mental disorders,{{Cite journal |last1=Goodwin |first1=L. |last2=Wessely |first2=S. |last3=Hotopf |first3=M. |last4=Jones |first4=M. |last5=Greenberg |first5=N. |last6=Rona |first6=R. J. |last7=Hull |first7=L. |last8=Fear |first8=N. T. |year=2015 |title=Are common mental disorders more prevalent in the UK serving military compared to the general working population? |journal=Psychological Medicine |language=en |volume=45 |issue=9 |pages=1881–1891 |doi=10.1017/s0033291714002980 |issn=0033-2917 |pmid=25602942 |s2cid=3026974}}{{Cite journal |last1=Martin |first1=Pamela Davis |last2=Williamson |first2=Donald A. |last3=Alfonso |first3=Anthony J. |last4=Ryan |first4=Donna H. |date=February 2006 |title=Psychological adjustment during Army basic training |journal=Military Medicine |volume=171 |issue=2 |pages=157–160 |doi=10.7205/milmed.171.2.157 |issn=0026-4075 |pmid=16578988 |doi-access=free}} alcohol abuse,{{Cite journal |last1=Head |first1=M. |last2=Goodwin |first2=L. |last3=Debell |first3=F. |last4=Greenberg |first4=N. |last5=Wessely |first5=S. |last6=Fear |first6=N. T. |date=1 August 2016 |title=Post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol misuse: comorbidity in UK military personnel |journal=Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology |language=en |volume=51 |issue=8 |pages=1171–1180 |doi=10.1007/s00127-016-1177-8 |issn=0933-7954 |pmc=4977328 |pmid=26864534}}{{Cite journal |last1=Mattiko |first1=Mark J. |last2=Olmsted |first2=Kristine L. Rae |last3=Brown |first3=Janice M. |last4=Bray |first4=Robert M. |year=2011 |title=Alcohol use and negative consequences among active duty military personnel |journal=Addictive Behaviors |volume=36 |issue=6 |pages=608–614 |doi=10.1016/j.addbeh.2011.01.023 |pmid=21376475}} and violent behavior.{{Cite journal |last1=MacManus |first1=Deirdre |last2=Dean |first2=Kimberlie |last3=Jones |first3=Margaret |last4=Rona |first4=Roberto J. |last5=Greenberg |first5=Neil |last6=Hull |first6=Lisa |last7=Fahy |first7=Tom |last8=Wessely |first8=Simon |last9=Fear |first9=Nicola T. |year=2013 |title=Violent offending by UK military personnel deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan: a data linkage cohort study |journal=The Lancet |volume=381 |issue=9870 |pages=907–917 |doi=10.1016/s0140-6736(13)60354-2 |pmid=23499041 |s2cid=606331 |doi-access=free}}{{Cite journal |last=Bouffard |first=L. A. |year=2005 |title=The Military as a Bridging Environment in Criminal Careers: Differential Outcomes of the Military Experience |journal=Armed Forces & Society |volume=31 |issue=2 |pages=273–295 |doi=10.1177/0095327x0503100206 |s2cid=144559516}}{{Cite journal |last1=Merrill |first1=Lex L. |last2=Crouch |first2=Julie L. |last3=Thomsen |first3=Cynthia J. |last4=Guimond |first4=Jennifer |last5=Milner |first5=Joel S. |date=August 2005 |title=Perpetration of severe intimate partner violence: premilitary and second year of service rates |journal=Military Medicine |volume=170 |issue=8 |pages=705–709 |doi=10.7205/milmed.170.8.705 |issn=0026-4075 |pmid=16173214 |doi-access=free}} In view of developing children's rights standards and evidence showing a detrimental impact of military training and employment on younger recruits,{{cite news|url=http://www.refworld.org/docid/589dad3d4.html|title=General comment No. 20 (2016) on the implementation of the rights of the child during adolescence|last=UN Committee on the Rights of the Child|accessdate=6 December 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx?symbolno=CRC/C/GBR/CO/5&Lang=en|title=Concluding observations on the fifth periodic report of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland|last=Committee on the Rights of the Child|date=2016|website=tbinternet.ohchr.org|accessdate=6 December 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://vfpuk.org/2017/report-the-first-ambush/|title=The First Ambush? Effects of military employment and training|last=Gee|first=D.|date=3 July 2017|work=Veterans For Peace UK|accessdate=6 December 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/defence-committee/armed-forces-and-veterans-mental-health/written/79963.html|title=Written evidence submitted by Medact|last=Medact|date=8 March 2018|website=parliament.uk|accessdate=15 June 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.medact.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/medact_childrecruitment_17-oct_WEB.pdf|title=The recruitment of children by the UK armed forces|last=Medact|date=2016|accessdate=15 June 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.child-soldiers.org/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=1a608665-f302-4bf4-9710-580a4ee7892a|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621200737/https://www.child-soldiers.org/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=1a608665-f302-4bf4-9710-580a4ee7892a|url-status=usurped|archive-date=21 June 2019|title=Why 18 Matters: A rights-based analysis of child recruitment|last=Child Soldiers International|date=2018|accessdate=15 June 2018}} several bodies, including the Children's Commissioners for each of the four nations of the UK and the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, have also called on the armed forces to raise the minimum age of enlistment to 18.{{cite web|url=https://www.child-soldiers.org/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=47932680-1531-498c-abe1-826acab81a37|title=Letter from UK Children's Commissioners and others to the Ministry of Defence|date=2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190308192243/https://www.child-soldiers.org/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=47932680-1531-498c-abe1-826acab81a37|archive-date=8 March 2019|accessdate=6 December 2017|url-status=usurped}}{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/jt200809/jtselect/jtrights/157/157.pdf|title=Children's Rights|last=House of Commons and House of Lords Joint Committee on Human Rights|date=2009|accessdate=6 December 2017}}

In response to these concerns, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has defended the current policy, stating in 2016: 'The army needs to attract school and college leavers at the earliest opportunity.'{{cite web|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/lords/?id=2016-04-27c.1181.1|title=Armed Forces Bill – Report: 27 Apr 2016: House of Lords debates – TheyWorkForYou|last=Earl Howe|website=TheyWorkForYou|accessdate=6 December 2017}} In the same year, the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Nick Carter, added: '[T]he fact that our junior entry is always 100% manned is indicative of people finding that it is something that is really positive to do.'{{cite web|url=http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/armed-forces-bill-committee/armed-forces-bill-201516/oral/24608.html|title=General N Carter, cited in Oral evidence – Armed Forces Bill 2015–16 – 18 Nov 2015|website=data.parliament.uk|accessdate=6 December 2017}}

In 2018 and 2021, the education inspectorate Ofsted awarded the college an 'outstanding' grade for its duty of care. The 2021 report noted: 'Recruits speak consistently of fair and respectful treatment from all staff...'{{cite web |last=Ofsted |date=20 October 2021 |title='Welfare and duty of care in Armed Forces initial training 2020 to 2021' |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/welfare-and-duty-of-care-in-armed-forces-initial-training/welfare-and-duty-of-care-in-armed-forces-initial-training-2020-to-2021#reports-in-date-order-regular-establishments |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020123313/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/welfare-and-duty-of-care-in-armed-forces-initial-training/welfare-and-duty-of-care-in-armed-forces-initial-training-2020-to-2021 |archive-date=20 October 2021 |access-date=4 November 2021 |website=Gov.uk}}

In 2021, nine investigations were opened into sexual offences against 22 girls at AFC; in one investigation, three of the suspected perpetrators were members of staff.{{cite web |last=Docherty |first=Leo |date=14 April 2022 |title=Armed Forces: Offences against Children |url=https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2022-04-14/154397 |access-date=17 August 2022 |website=parliament.uk}}{{cite web |last=Docherty |first=Leo |date=16 May 2022 |title=Armed Forces: Offences against Children |url=https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2022-05-16/2317 |access-date=17 August 2022 |website=parliament.uk}} The revelations were the subject of a Vice News report in July 2022.{{cite web |title=Teenage Girls Serving in British Army Report Record Levels of Sexual Assault |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/british-army-sexual-assault/ |access-date=17 August 2022 |website=Vice.com }}

In 2023, another instructor was convicted of eight counts of disgraceful conduct of a cruel or indecent kind and one count of sexual assault, which took place over nine months between 2020 and 2021.{{cite web |last=Robinson |first=Calvin |date=2 March 2023 |title=Former Harrogate Army Foundation College instructor sentenced for sex assault |url=https://thestrayferret.co.uk/former-harrogate-army-foundation-college-instructor-sentenced-for-sex-assault/ |access-date=31 March 2023 |website=The Stray Ferret }}

Also in 2023, North Yorkshire Police revealed that 13 complaints of sexual assault AFC, including nine of rape, had been referred to them between July 2022 and August 2023.{{cite news |date=6 October 2023 |title=Rapes reported at Harrogate's Army Foundation College |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-67029221 |access-date=2 November 2023}}

Between 2014 and 2022, recruits made 72 formal complaints of allegations of assault or other ill-treatment by staff at the college.{{cite web |last=British Army |date=13 December 2021 |title=Freedom of Information request, ref. Army/PolSec/C/U/FOI2021/13445 |url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/804174/response/1936986/attach/3/20211213%20FOI2021%2013445.pdf |access-date=17 August 2022 |website=whatdotheyknow.com}}{{cite web |last=Ministry of Defence |date=23 March 2023 |title=Freedom of information request, ref. Army/Sec/U/A/FOI2023/02395 |url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/953464/response/2268883/attach/3/20230323%20FOI2023%2002395%20Gee%20AFCH%20Complaints%20Updated%20Stats%20Response%20O.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1 |access-date=31 March 2023 |website=WhatDoTheyKnow.com}} 13 of the allegations were proven following investigation, of which seven occurred since 2017.{{cite web |last=British Army |date=11 January 2022 |title=Freedom of information request, ref. Army/Sec/C/U/FOI2021/15645 |url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/818032/response/1952462/attach/3/20220111%20FOI2021%2015645.pdf |access-date=17 August 2022 |website=whatdotheyknow.com}}

In 2021, an instructor was convicted for abusing recruits.{{cite web |last1=Shaw |first1=Neil |last2=Teale |first2=Connor |date=9 November 2021 |title=Army instructor 'punched' teen recruits asking ' who thinks they're hardest?' |url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/local-news/harrogate-army-instructor-punched-teen-22114804 |access-date=31 March 2023 |website=YorkshireLive }}{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Larisa |title=Army recruits 'abused and humiliated' by college staff |newspaper=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/army-recruits-abused-and-humiliated-by-college-staff-9zd9pkkc8 |access-date=31 March 2023 |issn=0140-0460}}

{{Main|Army Foundation College recruit abuse investigation 2014–2018}}

In 2017, the MOD confirmed reports that 17 instructors at AFC would be standing trial at court martial for 40 counts of alleged physical abuse of recruits during battle camp at Kirkudbright, Scotland, in 2014.{{cite web|url=https://modmedia.blog.gov.uk/2017/08/13/defence-in-the-media-sunday-13-august-2017/|title=Defence in the media: Sunday 13 August 2017 (Court Martial of 17 Army instructors)|last=Ministry of Defence|website=modmedia.blog.gov.uk|accessdate=6 December 2017}} ForcesTV, and the Guardian reported that the allegations included assault, holding trainees' heads under water, and forcing animal dung into their mouths.{{cite news|url=http://www.forces.net/news/17-ex-army-instructors-face-court-martial|title=17 Ex-Army Instructors To Face Court Martial|work=Forces Network|accessdate=6 December 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/aug/13/17-army-instructors-charged-with-assaulting-teenage-recruits|title=17 army instructors charged with assaulting teenage recruits|last=Perraudin|first=Frances|date=13 August 2017|work=The Guardian|accessdate=6 December 2017|issn=0261-3077}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/sep/21/uk-army-instructors-accused-of-physically-abusing-teen-recruits|title=UK army instructors in court over claims they physically abused teen recruits|last=Morris|first=Steven|date=21 September 2017|work=The Guardian|accessdate=6 December 2017|last2=agency|issn=0261-3077}} The case was reported as the British Army's largest ever investigation of abuse.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/08/13/army-instructors-punched-kicked-teenage-recruits/|title=Army instructors 'punched and kicked teenage recruits'|last=Farmer|first=Ben|date=13 August 2017|work=Telegraph|accessdate=12 March 2018|issn=0307-1235}}{{cite news|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/army-instructors-face-court-marshall-trial-assaults-teenage-trainees/|title=British Army's 'largest ever abuse case' begins|date=12 February 2018|work=iNews|accessdate=13 March 2018}}

At a preliminary hearing in September 2017, the accused pleaded not guilty to all charges. The trial in February 2018 collapsed after the judge ruled that the investigation by the Royal Military Police had been 'seriously flawed', and that a fair trial for the defendants would no longer be possible.{{cite web|url=https://www.forceswatch.net/sites/default/files/R_v_Girault_and_Others_Ruling_on_Abuse_of_Process_28_February_2018.pdf|title=R v Girault and Others Ruling on Abuse of Process|date=28 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319214617/https://www.forceswatch.net/sites/default/files/R_v_Girault_and_Others_Ruling_on_Abuse_of_Process_28_February_2018.pdf|archive-date=19 March 2018|accessdate=19 March 2018|url-status=dead}}

An internal review confirmed multiple failings by the Royal Military Police. It noted that, in addition to recruits who had lodged formal complaints, 'a considerable number of JS [junior soldier recruits] who had been the subject of ill treatment / assaults' had not wished to do so.{{cite web |last=Guinness |first=Mark E. |date=June 2018 |title=A Review of the Royal Military Police investigations into allegations of the ill treatment of Junior Soldiers at the Army Foundation College (Harrogate) (AFC(H)) 2014/15 |url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/880913/response/2093583/attach/5/20220802%20FOI08871.pdf |access-date=17 August 2008 |website=whatdotheyknow.com}}

{{Main|Kerry-Ann Knight}}

In 2024 Kerry-Ann Knight, a Black British woman and soldier with the rank of Corporal, won a settlement from the Ministry of Defence for racist and sexist abuse she suffered while in the British Army, much of which took place at the Army Foundation College.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-02 |title=Army apologises to former poster girl for ‘years of racist and sexist abuse’ |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/uk-news/2024/08/02/army-apologises-to-former-poster-girl-for-years-of-racist-and-sexist-abuse/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.shropshirestar.com |language=en}} Knight served in the British Army for 12 years and was once considered the "face of British army recruitment" because she appeared prominently in military recruitment advertisements across the UK. In 2021 when she was the only Black British woman working in the college, fellow staff would shout "watermelon" when she approached, stack her desk with filthy crockery and boxes, loudly played Django Unchained, and post photographs of Adolf Hitler in the instructor's professional Whatsapp channel. Knight began to secretly record evidence of the abuse and captured audio of fellow staff members threatening to lynch her.

{{Portal|United Kingdom}}

• Association of Harrogate Apprentices – includes a general history of Uniacke Barracks
• Selection and Training in the British Army
• Military recruitment
• Recruit training
• Military service
• Children in the military
• History of children in the military
• Army Foundation College recruit abuse investigation, 2014–18

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/our-schools-and-colleges/afc-harrogate/ Army Foundation College, Harrogate] – British Army website

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Category:Training establishments of the British Army

Category:Military units and formations established in 1998

Category:Buildings and structures in Harrogate

Category:Education in Harrogate