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| Forces welcome recruitment rise | Forces welcome recruitment rise |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The armed forces have taken on the highest number of new recruits for five years, reports the Ministry of Defence. | The armed forces have taken on the highest number of new recruits for five years, reports the Ministry of Defence. |
| Some 22,620 people entered initial training in the 12 months to the end of March 2009 - up 8.2% on a year earlier. | Some 22,620 people entered initial training in the 12 months to the end of March 2009 - up 8.2% on a year earlier. |
| Defence minister Kevan Jones said that the recession could be a factor, with more people attracted to "stable and rewarding" military careers. | Defence minister Kevan Jones said that the recession could be a factor, with more people attracted to "stable and rewarding" military careers. |
| However, the forces were still 2.8% under strength - a shortfall of 4,940 personnel - at the beginning of April. | However, the forces were still 2.8% under strength - a shortfall of 4,940 personnel - at the beginning of April. |
| 'Mental challenge' | |
| The MoD figures also showed improved retention, with the number of trained personnel leaving down 9.2% on the previous year - and at its lowest level since the end of September 2004. | The MoD figures also showed improved retention, with the number of trained personnel leaving down 9.2% on the previous year - and at its lowest level since the end of September 2004. |
| The defence minister said: "People recognise that the armed forces provide a stable and rewarding career offering a competitive pay and benefits packages along with a wide range of career opportunities and a level of career development that goes far beyond what most organisations provide." | The defence minister said: "People recognise that the armed forces provide a stable and rewarding career offering a competitive pay and benefits packages along with a wide range of career opportunities and a level of career development that goes far beyond what most organisations provide." |
| Abigail Russell, who wants to join the Army's Intelligence Corps, started looking for a new job after she was made redundant in October. | |
| Recruitment efforts have made TV and online campaigns prominent | |
| She told the BBC that joining the armed forces was something she had always wanted to do but did not think she could. | |
| "It is tough out there at the moment, but it's not what pushed me to the Army... coming in here and talking to the guys was the encouragement I needed." | |
| The former security worker said the service was exactly what she wanted, offering a mental and physical challenge. | |
| BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said the MoD had made it clear that it wanted the recruitment rise to continue. | BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said the MoD had made it clear that it wanted the recruitment rise to continue. |
| She added: "What they want is well-trained people, above all. | She added: "What they want is well-trained people, above all. |
| "They have to keep making the armed forces attractive to people so that the trained people who are there, the people with experience who know what they are doing, don't leave. | "They have to keep making the armed forces attractive to people so that the trained people who are there, the people with experience who know what they are doing, don't leave. |
| "That is crucial - to keep people who are, for example, senior non-commissioned officers and also junior officers at the rank of captain, to keep them within the armed forces." | "That is crucial - to keep people who are, for example, senior non-commissioned officers and also junior officers at the rank of captain, to keep them within the armed forces." |
| At the end of March last year the military was 3% under strength, with a shortfall of 5,310 personnel. | At the end of March last year the military was 3% under strength, with a shortfall of 5,310 personnel. |
| Shortfalls in the Army and Royal Navy had been reduced since then, but the RAF saw its shortfall leap from 590 to 1,660. | Shortfalls in the Army and Royal Navy had been reduced since then, but the RAF saw its shortfall leap from 590 to 1,660. |
| The forces' total requirement during the period fell from 179,270 to 178,860. | The forces' total requirement during the period fell from 179,270 to 178,860. |
| Last month, UK combat operations in Iraq ended after a six-year mission that saw 179 British military deaths. | Last month, UK combat operations in Iraq ended after a six-year mission that saw 179 British military deaths. |
| Since 2001, 163 UK troops have been killed on operations in Afghanistan. |