Memorandum from the WRVS
Please find our response below, however I must
point out that WRVS does not hold statistics on recruitment and
retention as this is retained by the Chain of Command.
The comments below are based on conversations
between WRVS Services Welfare Officers' and recruits/service personnel
and are in no particular order.
REASONS FOR
LEAVING/NOT
ENLISTING IN
THE ARMED
FORCES
1. Some young people are reluctant to sign
up due to the amount of deployment they would have to undertake
and the media attention highlighting injuries and loss of life.
2. There is a perceived loss of freedom,
together with uncertainties over communal living, early mornings
and missing family and home life.
3. Difficulties with the adjustment in culture/do
not like Army life.
4. Issues with discipline—some young
people have never experienced any discipline.
5. The Army enlist individuals on some occasions
with a numeracy and literacy age of a seven year old. This is
within the guidelines, however, when the recruit is in a classroom
environment as part of their training, they then realise that
they are unable to take notes etc which can lead to them becoming
quite isolated from their peer group. Individuals can find this
difficult to cope with. There is insufficient time for the permanent
staff to give further education due to the rigorous training programme
they have to deliver. In some cases therefore, the recruit falls
behind and their motivation can be reduced.
6. Individuals not getting accepted onto
their desired training course.
7. Reduction in adventure training.
8. If a soldier becomes injured, they sometimes
have to wait months until they are fit to return to training,
therefore morale becomes low and has an adverse effect on them
and others.
9. Accommodation—within the UK especially.
(Accommodation within Germany is considered good).
10. Permanent staff (those training recruits)
have to work long hours to achieve the desired level of training
for recruits. Some permanent staff join training regiments to
get more stability in their lives then find themselves working
12/13 hour days—leaving very little time to spend with their
families.
11. Individuals become too stretched with
operational tours.
12. Injuries/compensation—this has
always been an issue and is widely discussed within the media.
13. Family problems at home eg Grandparent
raising children, of which the eldest joins the Armed Forces.
Grandparent dies and eldest child has to return home to raise
siblings/support them.
As an additional note, none of the staff spoken
to noticed any particular increase in the numbers leaving.
I hope that this is of use to the Defence Committee.
If WRVS can be of any further help, please do not hesitate to
contact me.
18 March 2008
| 
