Army bosses are struggling to sign up female recruits because many drop out during the application process over fears they are not fit enough
- Military is desperate to boost its depleted ranks, with Army dwindled to 73,000
- However the it is set to achieve its target of recruiting 9,400 soldiers this year
- It would take ‘years’ to reach required level because soldiers were dropping out
The Army is struggling to recruit women because they don’t think they are fit enough to make the grade.
While reality TV documentaries and the drama series Our Girl have attracted teenagers into wanting to become soldiers, many young women pull out during the application stage over fitness doubts, the Army’s recruiting chief said.
The military is desperate to boost its depleted ranks, with the Army having dwindled to 73,000 troops despite a target of 82,000.
The Army is struggling to recruit women because many, unlike this lady, don’t think they are fit enough to make the grade (file image)
There was some good news yesterday with the announcement that the Army is set to achieve its target of recruiting 9,400 soldiers this year.
It would be the first time it has hit its target since outsourcing giant Capita began handling recruitment in 2012 under a controversial £495 million contract.
But Major General Paul Nanson, who is in charge of recruitment, admitted it would take ‘years’ to reach the required level because too many soldiers were dropping out.
Cath Possamai, chief executive of the British Army Recruiting Group, said 20 per cent of applicants were female but that dropped to 10 per cent at the training stage.
She said: ‘Women tend to be almost too honest.
‘They are much more likely to perceive they are physically not fit enough and that’s a big barrier to joining.’