Almost half of those who join the Army have the reading and numeracy skills of 11-year-old primary school children, says a report by the Basic Skills Agency.
Up to 9% have even lower literacy levels, falling at the bottom end of the standards expected of seven and eight-year-olds.
The majority of the 6000 educationally challenged re-cruits from an average annual intake of 12,000 enlisted in either the infantry or the artillery, the branches which set few or no academic or vocational entry qualifications.
A separate survey published alongside the main report revealed that 62% of military "managers" said poor reading abilities hindered or prevented young soldiers from carrying out day-to-day tasks. Up to 59% of the officers canvassed added that poor mathematical skills also caused problems. Even a basic line infantry recruit needed to be able to calculate weapons' ranges, give numerical map references and operate digital equipment.
Phil Hope, the government's Skills Minister, insisted that the Army was "doing excellent work" to improve the education of young soldiers. All personnel are now offered professional training and the chance to sit national vocational tests.
The Basic Skills Agency report examines the educational qualifications and abilities of volunteers between 2001 and 2006.
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