"Pressure" on British Military Personnel: Report
A group of MPs has warned that failure to hit recruitment/ retention goals is endangering the capability of the British military.
Among the factors contributing to an increase in the number of personnel leaving military life were the commitments of overseas deployments to locations such as Afghanistan and Iraq, and insufficient rest periods between them, the Defence Select Committee said.
According to the government, however, the number of new applicants streaming into the armed forces was higher than in July 2007, and, in others areas – military accommodation, for example – it was taking steps to improve the situation.
British Military Resources, Manpower
The report produced by the Defence Select Committee described the current pace of military operations as “unprecedented”, with commitments surpassing available resources, as well as manpower. This, it said, was placing relatives of serving British military personnel under “intense pressure.”
The prime motivating factor behind the decision to leave was the effect that military life was having on life on the outside, the report said.
And these departures, according to James Arbuthnot – chairman of the committee – were placing “increased pressure” on remaining, serving members.
Aircrew, Submariners, Mechanics
Manpower shortages, it said, were deteriorating in prime areas such as aircrew, submariners and mechanics.
"The MoD must take action to address this vicious circle before it becomes irreversible”, Mr Arbuthnot urged, adding: "Retaining highly-skilled and experienced service personnel must be a key priority."
Military Housing
The chairman also said that the ministry should accelerate its military housing improvement efforts, and that there existed a requirement for it to intervene "with sufficient flexibility and imagination if it is to recruit the number of new service personnel required to enable our armed forces to continue to operate effectively".
Defence Report Responses
Derek Twigg, Defence Minister, highlighted how recruitment into the armed forces was better than it was 12 months ago.
"I accept that there is more to do”, Mr Twigg said.
“But the issues raised by the committee are not new to us and are being addressed."
Drawing attention to new ventures designed to improve military-related education, health and housing, he continued: “Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan are challenging, but the morale of our people is high.
"Commanders assure me that operational effectiveness has not been compromised and units deploy fully manned for the tasks they will be expected to undertake."
Liam Fox, Shadow Defence Secretary, stated: "This report validates what the Conservative Party has been saying all along - our armed forces are not structured to carry out the tasks being asked of them by this government."
Spokesman for the Liberal Democrats, Nick Harvey, expressed similar sentiments.
"The exodus from the armed forces is now so grave as to be an issue of national security", he said, calling on Gordon Brown, the British Prime Minister, to lay down a schedule for the departure of British forces from Iraq.
Source – Armed Forces International’s Political Correspondent
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