ARMY recruitment is up, which is excellent news.
After six years in the doldrums, expectant regiments and corps will be mightily pleased.
Last week, the annual allocation was 99 per cent full, with most going on to start their basic training.
It’s in stark contrast to the 60 per cent achieved last year.
This is, in part, due to successful poster campaigns, television documentaries and dramas, and social media.
However, the greatest influence has been the use of ‘role-model’ recruiters, dynamic young soldiers with recent operational experience who can relate to and inspire young men and women.
It’s not dissimilar to the outstanding ‘Airborne Initiative’, which began at the YOI on Portland.
Set up by former Parachute officer and MP for West Dorset, Jim Spicer, young offenders are sent out onto Dartmoor under the care of specially trained prison officers and experienced soldiers.
Evidence shows that those lucky enough to be selected are significantly less likely to re-offend on release.
It’s just one example of the varied role of our superlative armed services and, on that note, I am delighted to announce my recent election to the Defence Select Committee.
With a remit to hold the Government’s defence policy to account, this is a cause dear to my heart.
The question today is just exactly what do we want our armed forces to do on the world stage.
I have no doubt that interventions similar to those in Kuwait, Bosnia, Sierra Leone, the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan will happen again.
To do that, we need to invest more in defence.
Like an insurance policy, it’s painful to pay for, but most welcome when called upon.
And, in our increasingly unstable world, rest assured, it will be.