UK Armed Forces target gamers with new fast-tracked cyber defence recruitment scheme as Secretary of State for Defence visits esports students

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The UK Government has launched a new Armed Forces recruitment scheme designed to fast-track digitally-savvy youngsters, including the likes of gamers, into cyber defence roles.

The new bespoke entry route for aspiring cyber professionals and those with existing digital skills will see basic training reduced from 10 weeks to around one month, after which recruits will undergo three months’ specialist training. This will be conducted at the Defence Cyber Academy in Shrivenham.

Specialist recruits will receive one of the highest armed forces starting salaries of over £40,000, with opportunities for additional skills-based pay as they gain expertise and experience.  

Recruitment into cyber roles in 2025 will initially be through the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, with the British Army joining for subsequent recruitment campaigns from early 2026.

Ministers argued that cyber represents “a new front line”, with UK military systems ‘targeted every day by adversaries’.

“By the end of 2025, new recruits will be embedded into operational roles, either securing defence’s networks and services at the digital headquarters in Corsham, or conducting cyber operations to counter those who would do the UK harm as part of the National Cyber Force,” the Government said in an announcement last month.

“In an increasingly volatile world where technology is rapidly advancing, the nature of warfare is changing. Cyber capabilities present the threat of hybrid attacks which the UK must be able to protect against to ensure our national security and deliver on the government’s Plan for Change. It is paramount that the armed forces are fit to face the threats of the future.”

The news comes as the Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey MP, spoke to esports students at Dearne Valley College about how their skills can lead to jobs in the defence sector.

He said:

The Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP, added: “With more than 90,000 cyber-attacks on UK military networks over the last two years, it is essential that we step up our cyber defence, fast-tracking the brightest and the best cyber specialists to help protect the UK and our allies.  

“We are in a new era of threat, with cyberspace as a new front line. Our government will deliver for defence by boosting recruitment efforts, cementing our national security as the foundation of our plan for change.”

RNN Group CEO and Principal, Jason Austin, said: “We were delighted to welcome John to Dearne Valley College, show him around the esports department and talk with him about the transferable skills that our students can gain from the course.

“Esports is one of the fastest growing sectors of the digital economy and we know that if you have a passion for gaming, there are a wide variety of roles that you can undertake beyond just becoming a professional gamer or developer.”

The news comes one year after the Ministry of Defence recognised esports as an official military sport.

Dom Sacco

Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.

As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.