The British Armed Forces Quiz

Estimated Completion Time
3 min
The British Armed Forces Quiz
Image: Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images

About This Quiz

Test your (knowledge of) British military might by taking our British Armed Forces Quiz. Learn how the armed forces work in Merry Old England. Or, you know, Regular Modern Great Britain.
What branches make up the British Armed Forces (BAF)?
Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Army and Royal Air Force
Royal Navy and Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Royal Army
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Slightly different from those in the United States Armed Forces.

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Her Majesty's Coast Guard operates under what branch?
Air Force
none
Navy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The British Coast Guard is not considered a part of the Armed Forces.

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Who is the Commander-In-Chief of the BAF?
the Prime Minister
the monarch
the Parliament
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Queen Elizabeth II is currently in command.

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Who is the head of the Armed Forces?
the Prime Minister
the Defense Secretary
the monarch
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tricked you! The Queen is the Commander-in-Chief and Head of the Armed Forces.

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What power does the monarch hold as commander and head of the BAF?
The monarch can declare war.
The monarch controls how the BAF is used.
both
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sound crazy? Well, it's a very limited power that is subject to checks and balances.

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So who is in charge of the BAF in a more practical sense?
the Parliament
the Secretary of the Defence
the Prime Minister
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Prime Minister is technically in charge of the military and makes key decisions.

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Although the Prime Minister is charged with managing military decisions, the PM would act in accordance with:
the House of Lords
the Cabinet
the Prince or Princess of Wales
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Cabinet is the highest-level of government ministers, appointed by the PM.

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The United Kingdom:
has nuclear weapons.
does NOT have nuclear weapons.
is borrowing nuclear weapons.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, the UK is a nuclear weapon state.

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What roles are women NOT allowed to have in the BAF?
All roles are open to women.
all combat duty
some front-line combat roles
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Many front-line roles have been open to women for a couple decades.

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What is another unusual Armed Forces job only available to men?
the Royal Swim Instructors
the Queen's Gardeners
the Household Calvary
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Only men get to be the fancy horse-riders.

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What is the real name of a position within the Royal Navy?
Sea Lord
Ocean Matey
Water Captain
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There is both a First and Second Sea Lord.

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Who is the professional head of the British Army?
Army Sergeant Major
Chief of the General Staff
Chief of the Armed Guard
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The position is under the Chief of the Defence Staff.

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When did a standing British Army form?
the 18th century
the 14th century
the 17th century
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the mid-1600s, the English Army was formed.

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Does Britain have a draft (or conscription) policy?
yes
no
only for men
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While Britain has had a National Service requirement during war times, it no longer does.

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There are how many full-time members of the BAF?
145,690
1.3 million
89,450
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As of 2015

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How many of those are Royal Army personnel?
about 83,000
about 25,000
about 100,000
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There were about 83,340 Army officers and soldiers ready for duty in 2015.

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How many are in the Royal Navy and Marines?
about 30,200
about 10,000
about 60,000
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Navy and Marine numbers are included together.

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The Royal Air Force has how many personnel?
12,017
45,604
32,106
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Including one quite famous officer …

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Who is a member of the Royal Air Force?
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge
Prince Harry
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

William was part of the RAF for several years but retired to take on work as an air ambulance operator.

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Prince Harry served with what British Armed Forces branch?
Royal Navy
British Army
Royal Marines
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Harry left the Army in 2015, but his service included a 20-week tour in Afghanistan.

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Prince Charles also had a career in what armed service?
the Royal Navy
the British Army
the Royal Air Force
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Charles briefly served in the Navy during the 1970s.

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What is NOT a part of the Royal Navy?
Surface Fleet
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Underwater Corps
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There is a Submarine Service which presumably does a lot of the underwater duties.

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The British Army defends what British interests?
England, Wales, India and Canada
England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland
England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

That is what's known as the United Kingdom.

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What is the name of the RAF's headquarters of Air Command?
RAF Halton
RAF High Wycombe
RAF Cosford
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's where the command operations take place.

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The RAF uses what aircraft?
Typhoon FGR4
Boeing 757
seaplanes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Come on, these RAF pilots aren't messing around.

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Does the British Army have a reserve army?
no
yes
only for former Regular Army personnel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Just like the United States Army, anyone can serve as a reservist.

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What new equipment is currently in the design or building phase for the British Navy?
submarines and seaplanes
frigate and aircraft carriers
aircraft carriers and seapods
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although who wouldn't want a seapod, whatever that is.

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What is NOT a corps of the British Army?
Royal Army Choral Corps
Royal Army Dental Corps
Corps of Army Music
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

But if you're interested, I'd suggest the Corps of Army Music.

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The British Army Gurkha Brigade is a holdover from?
Britain's medieval times
Britain's rule of Hong Kong
Britain's war with Nepal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After the early 19th century Gurkha War, many Nepalese soldiers joined the British Army.

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What does the Royal Marine's Special Boat Service do?
extremely critical and daring small-team missions
repair the boats of the Marine fleet
take tourists out on pleasure rides
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If that sounds vague, it's because their work -- and members -- are extremely secretive.

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You Got:
/30
Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images