CONFIDENTIAL
3rd DRAFT
Royal Navy and Royal Marines
13.
In the nine months from April to December 1974, 4,881 men were
recruited into the Royal Navy and 1,229 into the Royal Marines,
compared with 4,198 and 920 respectively in the corresponding period
in 1973. Last year, the first year following the raising of the
school leaving age, the number of summer school leavers applying to
join the Royal Navy and Royal Marines was most encouraging and gives
hope for further improvement in 1975. Nevertheless, there
will still be manpower shortages in several Branches of the Royal Navy.
Recruitment details are as follows:
1 April-31 December
(9 months)
Percentage Difference
Method of Entry
1973
1974
1974 over 1973 (+ or -)
Adults
1,857
1,353
-27
Juniors
3,051
4,560
+49
Junior Artificer Apprentices
210
197
6
Total:
5,118
6,110
+19
Army
1/4. The decline in adult and young soldier recruiting which started in
1972 continued into 1973-74 but there are signs that this trend may now
have been halted. The total of 11,598 recruits for the year 1973-74
reflected a drop of some 25 per cent over 1972-73. A total of some 13,000
adult and young soldier recruits is forecast for 1974-75. The Junior
· V~5
CONFIDENTIAL