re. 1950's?

I doubt your friend was still in the army after the end of the war. Susan. The vast majority of home-based soldiers were demobbed soon after VJ day. Those serving overseas were, of course, repatriated, but many had already received official notice that their services were no longer required.

Basic training is by definition the first thing that happens upon joining up.

National Service (conscription) in the UK remained until the 1950s.