without meeting the residence requirements. On 5 November 2018 the Ministry of Defence once again removed the requirement of residing in the country for five years. This now meant that any citizen of the Commonwealth could join the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy as of 6 November 2018. However, the British Army planned to open applications in early 2019. See also Social background of officers and other ranks in the British Army, 1750–1815 References Sources External links Official British Army Recruitment website BBC article: "Recruitment in the British Army" — including on "Taking the King's Shilling." Recruiting Instructions — from The Military Guide for Young Officers, 1776, Thomas Simes. History of the British Army British Army British Army