CONFIDENTIAL
V
MANPOWER AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
3RD DRAFT
1.
The
The recruitment of a dult and young Servicemen, particularly
into the Army, has declined from the peak reached in 1971-72.
recruitment of Junior Servicemen was severely affected in 1973-74
by the raising of the school leaving age, which cut off
one year's supply of school leavers at the minimum age.
2. It is expected that some 35,000 Servicemen (including
Juniors) will be recruited in 1974-75, compared with 25,800 in
1973-74, the increase being largely attributable to improved recruit-
ment of Juniors following the renewed availability of school leavers
in 1974-75. Since the raising of the school leaving age had a once-
for-all effect, some recovery in the current year was predictable.
Its extent and duration will depend on the attitudes of the later
school leavers (which are at this stage difficult to gauge), as well
as the more general factors affecting recruitment.
3. The number of recruits who return to civilian life during initial
training is a matter of some concern. Work is in progress to improve
the Services' understanding of this problem and to find the most
effective means of reducing it.
4. In addition to the figures in this Chapter, detailed manpower
statistics are given in Annex 7.
RECRUITMENT AND RE-ENGAGEMENT DURING 1974-75
OFFICER RECRUITMENT
Royal Navy and Royal Marines
5.
Officer entry into the Seaman and Supply specialisations of the
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CONFIDENTIAL