Despite the British Army fighting dangerous wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, it seems not to have deterred brave British men and women from joining up. A survey also shows that 80% of the British people think that the British Army is the best in the world.....
Army recruitment on the increase
More soldiers are being recruited - but still not quite enough
The British Army recruited 11,460 new soldiers in the past year, a rise of 9%, but it has still fallen short of its targets by 1,000.
During the 2005/2006 financial year, recruiting rose by 9.2% - 1,060 more soldiers than the previous year.
Army recruiters have attributed the rise to high profile TV advertising, including a drive for infantry recruits and another for climbing Everest.
It comes as the Army deals with major deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Units such as the Royal Engineers, Royal Armoured Corps, Royal Signals and Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers have exceeded their annual recruitment targets, said BBC defence correspondent Rob Watson said.
Defence Minister Adam Ingram is marking the increase during a visit to the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.
"I'm pleased to say that this year we have seen a significant increase in those expressing an interest in joining the Army; where you have led, others follow," Mr Ingram will tell soldiers graduating training during his visit.
"Public support for our forces is vitally important. It is justifiably very high. Eighty per cent of the British public thinks our army is the best in the world.
"As you leave this fine establishment, each of you has a role to play in helping the public to understand what you do and why you do it."
As well as their deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, British troops are sent to Kosovo and Bosnia, as well as non-operational deployments in areas such as Northern Ireland, Germany, the Falkland Islands and Cyprus.
news.bbc.co.uk
Army recruitment on the increase
More soldiers are being recruited - but still not quite enough
The British Army recruited 11,460 new soldiers in the past year, a rise of 9%, but it has still fallen short of its targets by 1,000.
During the 2005/2006 financial year, recruiting rose by 9.2% - 1,060 more soldiers than the previous year.
Army recruiters have attributed the rise to high profile TV advertising, including a drive for infantry recruits and another for climbing Everest.
It comes as the Army deals with major deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Units such as the Royal Engineers, Royal Armoured Corps, Royal Signals and Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers have exceeded their annual recruitment targets, said BBC defence correspondent Rob Watson said.
Defence Minister Adam Ingram is marking the increase during a visit to the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.
"I'm pleased to say that this year we have seen a significant increase in those expressing an interest in joining the Army; where you have led, others follow," Mr Ingram will tell soldiers graduating training during his visit.
"Public support for our forces is vitally important. It is justifiably very high. Eighty per cent of the British public thinks our army is the best in the world.
"As you leave this fine establishment, each of you has a role to play in helping the public to understand what you do and why you do it."
As well as their deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, British troops are sent to Kosovo and Bosnia, as well as non-operational deployments in areas such as Northern Ireland, Germany, the Falkland Islands and Cyprus.
news.bbc.co.uk