14.5% Increase in the Number of New Recruits Who have Joined the British Armed Forces Over the Past 12 Months

Today’s publication of the Ministry of Defence’s latest Armed Forces manning figures shows that the UK Armed Forces are currently at 96.8% of their full time trained strength requirement.

The statistics also show that the number of people leaving the trained strength of the Armed Forces in the 12 months to 30 September 2008 has decreased by 3.5 per cent compared with the same period last year. Overall, the amount of people leaving is at its lowest since the 12 months to June 2005.

There has been a 14.5 per cent increase (2,190 people) in the number of new recruits who have joined the Armed Forces in the 12 months to 30 September 2008, compared to the previous year. There has also been a 9.1 per cent increase (1,790 people) in the number of recruits who have completed their training and moved into the strength of the Armed Forces.

The number of people joining the Armed Forces for their initial training is at its highest point since June 2004. The number of people completing their training and moving into the trained strength of the Armed Forces is also at its highest point since the 12 months to 31 March 2005.

As at 1 October 2008, the full time trained strength of the UK Armed Forces was 173,270 against a target of 179,060. This comprises 167,820 UK regular forces, 1,940 full time reserve service personnel and 3,520 Gurkhas. There were also 18,350 untrained UK regulars and 260 untrained Gurkhas.

Defence Minister Kevan Jones said:

“It is encouraging to see that overall the gains to trained strength have increased once again. At a time when the Armed Forces are heavily committed to operations, recruitment and retention of high quality people is more important than ever.

“Initiatives include pay rises, financial retention incentives, increased operational allowances, the introduction of bonuses of up to £15,000 to reward longer service, and a new £20million pilot scheme to help people on to the housing ladder.

“As promised in the Service Personnel Command Paper we are also improving access to health, housing and education.”

Since 1 October 2007, the proportion of females in the UK regular forces has risen 0.3 per cent to 12 per cent for officers and 8.9 per cent for other ranks.

The percentage of UK regular forces from ethnic minority backgrounds continues to rise; at 1 October 2008 ethnic minorities accounted for 6.3 per cent of UK Regular Forces compared to 5.9 per cent at the same point last year.

Separate Army statistics show that Infantry recruitment is up compared to last year and we estimate 3000 personnel have applied for the Financial Retention Initiative for the infantry that was implemented last year.

Source: Ministry Of Defence

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