Reply With Quote
It is something which has been prevalent during the last 22 years under successive governments.Originally Posted by The Bedlington Terrier
The Labour government between 1997 and 2010 cut the numbers of those serving in the RN from 41,700 to 34,800.
The Army felt the least cuts but was still cut from 101,500 to 99,000 in spite of fighting campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.
During the same period the RAF was cut from 54,200 to 39.500 and the reserve and volunteer forces were cut from 57,700 to 35,000.
The Tories continued to make cuts and it is no surprise that recruiting has fallen short, particularly after the recruiting was handed over to Capita who, from all accounts , fall well short in understanding the needs of the services with extremely fit people who are trying to join being turned down because of stupid things like BMI!! I know of several instances where very fit rugby players have been turned down because of this. They were then contacted at later dates and were told that there had been errors made, however, they had moved on to other things by then.
You can also add to this the fact that retired veterans and some serving personnel are being pursued by various agencies for alleged crimes committed in Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan even though they have been cleared by several other hearings.
It is no wonder that there is a recruitment problem because those serving are very much undervalued.
My son has just returned from a liaison with US Forces in Alabama. As a member of the RAF going to the US on dutyadn travelling on a recognisd airline from Heathrow, he was fast tracked, boarded first and even security checked separately on arrival in the States (with a minor immigration detour for him due to some of the locations he has worked in). On his return flights he had the same treatment. Then on return to his own country he was told to get in the queue as it doesn't make any difference that he was returning on duty from abroad.
You wonder why there is a recruiting crisis ---I don't!
