British Army reports dramatic decline in number of officer recruits

The British Army has launched a major recruitment drive to attract more officers after recording dwindling numbers of applications from university graduates.
Latest figures show a dramatic slump in numbers of officers recruited, with last year's numbers being the lowest for seven years.
Just 81 per cent of posts were filled for the year 2014/2015, compared to 95 per cent the previous year.
Graduate recruitment to the Armed forces has steadily fallen over the last decade and is now 27 per cent lower than in 2005.
Top brass are concerned about the number of people who do not know that the Army is recruiting - 46 per cent of 14 - 24 year olds.
They are hampered by common misconceptions among the public, from the belief that there are no skilled jobs, to worrying about the risk on the front line or thinking that officers only come from an Oxbridge education.
For the first time in eight years, the Army today launched a national Officer careers 'roadshow', called 'With Heart. With Mind'.

[@Laser82]

People are not joining because of the incredibly damaging cuts to pensions in 2005 and cut again to even less in 2015, diabolical pay restraint year after year and debilitating decline of morale, because of poor manning levels and catastrophic work life balance, redundancy, and continuing unceartanty regarding job security. Commitment bonus removed, Tour bonus removed, food and Incadental allowance taking multiple cuts latest by a third, and thats just the tip of the iceberg for cuts. Family break downs all over the services. We are haemorrhageing fully trained staff because there is little or no incentive to stay in this sorry state of a career, if you have joined in the last six years. Army 2020 has decimated the career path leaving it unatractive even to less well off members of society. You will earn less for much much longer earning a pitiful pension 2015 onwards. The New Employment Modle has failed before it has even began. Look at retention levels, look at recriutment levels. The most challenged person on the planet can see the numbers are bleeding badly. But the working conditions deteriorate. People are starting to snap and go Code Zero. The figres are so poor its looking bleek for our careers lads and lasses. Thanks Gov.

[@Wanderer628]

Code 9 This.

[@warnpassion]

Thank the financial crash of 2008 caused due to the humongous spending on pointless wars in the Middle East.

[@craighayes3316]

Spot on. Its the same for the Police, fire service, and every other public sector career. I really feel sorry for the new generations coming through. The governments have cut the bottom out of these careers.

[@Laser82]

We are well below 82,000. The misconception has been there for many many years. The falure to recruit is because the offer is a shadow of what it used to be. Things are gettin worse not improving. Offer pea nuts compared to before and surprisingly you will not get many takers. It's a shit offer for bright people. See the conflict of interest? When you look at the NCO world it's worse than that. Lower ranks are leaving in massive numbers because the once promising career offers a shockingly reduced path of progression. People don't want to be poor when they leave and have a massively reduced pension under AFPS/2015 and the Even lower pension under NEM 2020.

[@Clancy4Lif3]

Code 9 at last the government are increasing defence spending!

[@bobbyweirddick6556]

Now we have around 50k men in the army. Embarrassing really.

[@Laser82]

Soldiers don't benefit from this. Im making less now than I was 3 years ago because of the cuts mate. Look at the AFCAS 2017 foe evidence.

[@chrischong6613]

Low unemployment and a reasonably good economy means that university graduates are far more likely to go looking for a job after their degree rather than the military.

[@mettahuttravels3183]

No one wants to be used as political cannon fodder then be treated like shit when they return home.😢

[@romeo9017]

Forget recruiting - its retention and the obscene way in which serving soldiers are treated that should be the priority..

[@rivco5008]

After reading these comments...damn, it's a bad situation.

[@TommyBahama84]

Retention is a bigger problem than recruitment. I spent three years living in a portakabin every day because they couldn’t be arsed to source the standard of accommodation that they dictate in their own regulations. They need a massive reality check otherwise they’ll become ineffectual and irrelevant!

[@vibsking21]

Ex guard here don't join lads better pay at Asda lol

[@snowdon2660]

its about doing what you like not pay

[@THEBARTMANOPS]

No wonder if they dont duck!

[@SamsJustTrollin]

Lindy reference

[@superkewl9376]

😂

[@jhofster31]

Anyway mention of how useless the recruitment I.T. system is?

[@Laser82]

We are at rock bottom. I can't honestly see the Army recovering after years of this torture. Suicides and mental health is suffering not only because of combat but stagnant pay, pensions, promotions and prospects. The soldiers see millions of pounds wasted on poor or failed acquisition programs as well as retarded recruitment campaigns. The money is not spent on pay or soldiers themselves. This is why morale is now not only low but harbouring resentmant to chief's and government. Career prospects are now so poor with rank retardation because of the New Employment Model. Many soldiers are trying to do second jobs just to feed their families. Poor Pension Poor Pay Poor Prospects for new recruits.

[@Laser82]

Nice video. It would be good if you can make a video on how bad the cuts are and the effect it is having on recruitment , retention and declining morale. The 8 years of pay freeze and pay restraint, and why the pensions that have been cut twice in ten years to such a poor amount. But most of all the shocking findings of the AFCAS for the last 7 years. Also the retarded rank progression because of the NEM2020 that diminishes the pension even further because of the incremental delay for two years per rank. The rising suicides and poor mental healt with abuse through the ranks. I believe you could explain what's happening.

[@MarlboroughBlenheim1]

Why would anyone with a brain choose to earn a pittance and get treated like shit and then risk being shot?

[@4921aaronsmall]

It's because you don't pay enough to risk are life's for the rich

[@stanleyqc2244]

lmao, keep telling yourself that buddy. Geopolitics tend to make the rich richer

[@Tarnie495]

Sean Robbitt you moron, do you think we “defended” poor innocent people in Iraq and Afghanistan? Nope, we were a tool used to overthrow people who didn’t want their countries controlled by bankster criminals. Stop watching the BBC, it’s brainwashing you

[@hugocain7628]

Do keep in mind they don’t just get a salary they have a lot of benefits search it up

[@openmusic3904]

I mean, a newly trained officer can earn £32,000 a year, which isn't bad. That looks even better when you take into account discounted accommodation and food. Aside from that there is all the experience and qualifications you can gain, dependent on the role. Admittedly, £32,000 isn't amazing given how how risk the job is, but it's not bad. If you rise thorough the ranks, so will your salary also. From what I gather, the thing that has pissed people off most is the pension cuts, which is understandable. But I don't think the situation is as bad as it is being made out to be.

[@Infernal460]

Recruit from the ranks.

[@MrOdsplut]

They already do!

[@dublinstevie]

maybe pay proper wages then

[@sebengeli5913]

As a captain in the british army you get paid about 40k a year I think correct me if I'm wrong

[@dublinstevie]

which is absolute peanuts

[@rasplez9889]

low pay for a "suicide job", recruits being turned down for having a different accent/dialect/mannerism that the recruiter takes unintended offence from, and the military is underfunded. plus the amount of inquiries into soldiers abusing civilians and off duty murders, and you've got a perfect mixture for people NOT wanting joining the army. doesn't matter though since The typical strategy for the government is to conscript people that don't want to fight. for such a democratic country, we sure are forced to do a lot of things that shouldn't even be legal.

[@jonmason7373]

How about getting rid of the UCAS system for older applicants and understand a wealth of knowledge can be gained from real life. Reserves would benefit in a big way

[@gojeta1999]

All you need is 2 A levels you stupid fuck

[@gojeta1999]

Not even decent A levels, you can get 2 Cs and get in

[@pencils1951]

I joined the army over fifty years ago and retired working with officers. Over those years I saw little change in attitude and very little change in Esprit de Corps, just children acting like idiots. It shakes the confidence knowing one's life is in their hands or even worse that of one's children. Usually, the best officers were those that rose through the ranks, it was one of these that recommended me for my first promotion. In the first world war it was said we were lions led by donkeys, has anything changed?

[@user-fl1bq6uo5l]

That’s generals not officers.

[@pencils1951]

@@user-fl1bq6uo5l What is a General if not an officer, in fact generals are staff officers! It's a well-known fact that General's are ego-driven and I've known a few. There is no esprit de corps, just arrogant little shits vying for the colonels favour. Where do you think Generals come from? The officer's corps of course. Have you ever served in the British Army?

[@hughturner6215]

I might only be 16 of the time that I am writing this but I have been striving to become an officer in the army from the age of 12. It is a big influence through my family and friends as my father was a Lt Colonel in the Royal Engineers and I am really striving to hopefully pursue an army career as an officer, I hope to lead men and women alike. Thank you for this video it just shows how people are losing motivation to become officer.

[@loisstenner123]

If Major Simon Farley is representative of the officers in her Majesties armed forces then recruitment of the ranks, in the future, can only plummet drastically.

[@anarchic_ramblings]

Raise the age limit.

[@debaterofeverythingpresent2775]

Raise it to 60, I will fight

[@joshrigo5692]

Darth Zim hahaha you can join the Legion and you can be 40 yrs old, called Bob from Surrey tomorrow.

[@Shams995]

As UK is not part of EU anymore ; you should provide all the facilities to Commonwealth countries that you used to provide EU countries (Visa, Scholarship, Equal Education Cost for both domestic and EU students and others). Commonwealth countries proved their loyalty to the Royal Family and British Government durning World War 2.

[@kwkwkwkw6411]

They already do?

[@dabtican4953]

British Army already accepted commonwealth citizens to join

[@thewatchman1078]

If we didn’t piss away so much on foreign aid, equal to 20% of the defence budget, we could easily afford better pay and prospects for these vital folk.

[@michaelbrant1668]

How many guards officers were fired after the falklands conflict? Coming from privaliged backgrounds is not the same as being a born leader.

[@oliverweed4282]

They are 'privaliged' enough to spell at least.

[@alvindurochermtl]

Michael Brant True leaders are taught, not even born.

[@jonmason7373]

Also Major Verity Brown is a fantastic example of an officer.

[@Jeffybonbon]

so anyone can be a guards officer I don't think so

[@JMMDD]

dislexic landlord never heard an officer without a posh accent

[@BucyKalman]

Most officers nowadays are university graduates and a university graduate can earn much more in the private sector than in the military. The British Army must offer competitive pay to boost recruitment.

[@khalidyassein3803]

I am looking to start university next year and hopefully join the army straight after , fingers crossed.

[@joshrigo5692]

Khalid Yassein they'll fuck you over like they did to us

[@para7843]

Time for LE officers to start doing regimental jobs bridge the gap

[@FHIPrincePeter]

Is it true that Barrack rooms are now "One 'Person' Rooms" and not 4 -8 Man rooms...

[@FHIPrincePeter]

That erodes the cohesion of a unit. One of the big assets of the military is that you were forced to socialise with people you never would in civiy street .

[@Laser82]

Peter B most are but not all bud!

[@Laser82]

Shaun Pearson Privates with families don't have the money to go out or even join the Mess these days. Lads I know get pay day loans to use when they get back to their families so they can try to have a family life. The pay on on Sup 1 is really poor, and promotion is poor in most areas. I'm now seeing soldiers wait 6 to 8y for the first stripe. So wrong. These lads deserve better.

[@matthewcunningham8691]

If the office talent level is lowered and it has been quite drastically, then the talented will not be interested QED

[@billslim1112]

Will this be good or bad for the army officers of the future. On the one hand:the decrease in soldiers in the army will lead to less opportunity for promotion, but less officers could be an opportunity for young officers to gain promotion

[@lateapex9420]

Could that 'rupert' have sounded anymore disinterested?

[@philipshearer5286]

That 'Rupert' wrote Stand Up Straight, you mouthbreather

[@randomdudeonyoutube.]

Recruit officers from commonwealth

[@JeremyStone-HK]

The army is too woke

[@MarkJMonaghan]

Ye coz soldiers want to work for a living not sit behind a desk

[@JamesLoudMouth19981]

I fail to understand the argument of “the pay is shit” like do any of you understand that 18,500 pound a year is a cracking wage for a young lad especially when you pay around 2,000 in tax per year on it, I worked in a kitchen before I joined up and there was a chef who’d worked at the restaurant since it opened, he was the third highest ranked chef in the kitchen staff and work 50h a week over 5 days, he made 18,500 before tax and after tax walked away with little less than 15,000 not to mention he had to put down 4-5 years prior work to get to that level, if you book your ideas up and go into a trade other than the fucking infantry or becoming a Brickie or wear house manager, you’d probably find you’ll have a well paying long lasting career in the armed forces, get into a role were the rank progression is high and the sense or responsibility matches.

[@jonathandwoolley8768]

Make a recruiting video with woosy fat logistics people crying in the harbour area..... oh yeah you did. The people that want to be real soldiers join Royal Marines!

[@phillyplat9670]

Its becuse we dont want to die for oil wars and for profit warfare

[@etherealhawk]

Let us have beards

[@dipendragurung9043]

Due to pension scheme..No countries in the world who doesn't have instant pensions even the poorest after the full service except U.K...We are talking Uk as they say it's the greatest nation. It's a shame!!

[@georgecoverdale9396]

I rather have NCO more sense tell me what to do change it that before becoming snob become normal solder for 3 years

[@mattnstuff7187]

Start scrapping qualifications and look for those who can lead

[@etherealhawk]

Its like 2 A levels to apply as officer or something. And they already do direct recruitment from NCOs

[@2sik_UK]

​@@etherealhawk yeah but there's alot of people who never took school seriously and then go about life for a few years 'lost then want too make a big change and do something with thier life, but the pay is shit and they ask too much for what they pay, I'd love to join but reality is you can do so much better things money wise with less qualifications

[@kieranjones1983]

Unfortunately the British military's image has been shattered by Afghanistan and Iraq, our generation grew up with those wars that were over resource and financial gain rather than the common good (Afghanistan is more debatable on that front), and with many students having left of centre political views there's a lot of suspicion towards both the government and the role of the military. However, I firmly believe in two sides to a story, and can't wait to begin my application after graduation.

[@Tarnie495]

Kieran Jones don’t join, you won’t be serving a greater purpose for world peace, in fact you’ll just invade the Middle East for the benefit of Israel only and see lots of dead or mutilated colleagues in the process.

[@Gaylaxy369]

If you want to join the military phase 1 will teach you alot and you will make good friends and once you get assigned to your regiment you will build off like skills there. Dont listen to these civvys that just want to bash the military. No one will sleight you for being a serving soldier except 15% of the retarded civvys that live here and arnt currently being beheaded by roaming IS fighters looking to pillage them. Put in your application and go for it if you want it, I'm a combat medic and I use my skills and training that I've been taught all the time and have equivalent qualifications I can take to civvy street when I do eventually get out, made and still have good friends that I go out in weekends and leave (Dont listen to all this one man room BS) sure some units have them but you do mingle in PT and the working day and other tasks especially if you like sport. The only people who complain about the military are A) Civvys who think they know what's going on B) 14 year old cadets C) People who got kicked out for drugs D) People who served but left a PFA of 15 minutes You dont see Afghan war veterans in the comments section, you see them out there still living, alot if lives are lost in wars but if you saw what good was done to the population over there instead of them being pillaged by groups of roaming gunman then people would understand.

[@fox290]

Жизнеродостные и позитивные люди) Девушки очень красивые и очаровательные )улыбки от души)!

[@clivedavies7984]

Aldi pay more lol

[@delroywashington3185]

I joined the Blues & Royals after serving 5yrs in HMP STAFFORD for rape at deepcut barracks , as a instructor for sexual health , bullying , and assisted suicide courses ,

[@polishherowitoldpilecki5521]

It;s why the British empire fell

[@storylava9603]

No one thinks like that :,D 1:01 I'll join after I pay off and finish medical school & my residency... in the USA Britain certainly needs to improve the adds man. You should check out the Marine's adds(they're super fancy & call out to people with strong spirit who were going to join anyways). If you look at the Army's adds, they're all about how YOU can better yourself hahahaha... that's the message you should go for, with the look & sounds of the Marines. Most importantly, make sure you have a panel of people who are ACTUALLY paying attention to the adds to see what kind of errors are present(for example no one fucking things ohh the officer rate is decreasing so there's a correlation with fuckin' the way the military recruits officers??? noo kiddo. If there's a minimum requirement and not enough people meet the minimum requirement, then you're not going to have people enlist and sign away years of their lives for the cause). Basically, the point is: there's many ways to get competent individuals excited for the hell they're going to sign up for. Lastly, you should really think about getting a panel of regular high schoolers&YOUNGcollege kids look at your adds for errors & you should allow more tattoos because you're missing out on valuable productive patriotic born & raised good ol boys(&gals i guess...). Just look at the USAF's new tattoo policy implementation & their recruitment rate. Any how good luck with your mission gentlemen. I absolutely and utterly wish you all the best of luck in the world. If there is anything I can do for yall just hit me up. Furthermore I do not apologize for my foul language. Peace.

[@user-sc9oy1kz8g]

Story Lava No it only got smaller because the government cut spending and disbanded and merged regiments. However, they also lowered standards while doing this to try to let women in so it isnt as elite as it should be either.

[@DJRAJEE]

Lol so many negative comments

[@SOLDAT_NG]

Big up

[@DJRAJEE]

@@SOLDAT_NG yes big man

[@onesixlima]

Good. More chance of me getting in lol

[@joerenwick5018]

Recruit without a levels

[@curtiscarpenter9881]

We need more recruits for more jobs a million strong army.🥂🍻

[@joncund8021]

Octo-blink

[@dennisrandall4356]

could it have anything to do with being under the control of Brussels, I know I wouldn't want to, and surprised there hasn't been mass resignations already.

[@bardy8702]

Its not perception. It’s that their so picky with who they let in.

[@Daddyclive]

Put more money and support into the Army Cadet Force. One star Cadets are way above new recruits. Increase the access to higher education for soldier ranks to progress to Sandhurst . Extend use of Late Entry Officers. Ensure all officers have an Army trade and are not just admin officers in technical corps.

[@europeanworldenglishchampi3860]

#imsoldierx

[@narwhallegion8583]

It’s because you don’t have a vast empire, and one of the main recruitment points from before was that they could be stationed throughout the world. Now your limited to a handful of bases

[@user-sc9oy1kz8g]

T-NRP Well no because you can still get deployes all over the place we have bases across the world

[@4331550686]

why not changing the officers by computers instructions that one officer can manage!seargants are enough in the field

[@wanderschlurf]

killing people is NO adventure at all. it's good that the perception in public is much more clear than 100 years ago. it's GOOD :) thanks or uploading. i love to watch people losing esp bullies :D

[@Clancy4Lif3]

wanda schlurf they kill so that our own people aren't themselves killed and suppressed, god save all of our brave countrymen, and fuck ignorant idiots like you wanda

[@futuristic8748]

Hez yer i mean we would all of been fucked if we didnt go to iraq kill a dhit load of people and rob their oil and destabilise their country and create a vacuum for isis to fill , thank god we protected our own people here by doing that ....

[@satcheljackson23]

Killing bad people can be a part of an adventure Wanda.