British Army sees fall in strength for ninth consecutive year

[Counselor706]

The British Army has seen a fall in size and strength for the ninth consecutive year, according to new figures released by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The army suffered the biggest fall, with figures showing that the number of full-time personnel was 74,440, down from 76,880 last year — and more than 7,000 below its target figure of 82,000 personnel.

Earlier this year, the military faced criticism for a series of posters advertising for millennials to join the armed forces with slogans such as “Snowflakes, Your Army Needs You” — echoing Lord Kitchener’s famous “Your Country Needs You” posters which urged recruits to come forward during the First World War.

Source

 

[lustatopia]

That's still enough to invade and conquer Scotland should they decide to withdraw from the commonwealth if Boris does a hard Brexit.

 

[colddiesel]

There are 41 Admirals and 40 ships in the Royal Navy. Most of them (thankfully?) are commanding desks. Much the same in Airforce and Army.

 

[Rightguide]

Less than one percent of the US population defend our country.

 

[lustatopia]

There are 41 Admirals and 40 ships in the Royal Navy. Most of them (thankfully?) are commanding desks. Much the same in Airforce and Army.

That reminds me of Northcote Parkinson who wrote a whole fucking book about it back in the 1960's, I think called 'Parkinson's Law.'

I would have thought that royal shaming of the British Navy would have brought reform. But I guess Etonian toffs know no shame.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson's_law

 

[oggbashan]

There are 41 Admirals and 40 ships in the Royal Navy. Most of them (thankfully?) are commanding desks. Much the same in Airforce and Army.

That reminds me of Northcote Parkinson who wrote a whole fucking book about it back in the 1960's, I think called 'Parkinson's Law.'

I would have thought that royal shaming of the British Navy would have brought reform. But I guess Etonian toffs know no shame.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson's_law

British Admirals never retire. They are admirals until they die. Many of the 41 are effectively on the reserve list - but in 1914 and 1939 old admirals did very useful work.

 

[colddiesel]

The French army has 111,000 members.
The Italians have 101,000.
The British have 80,000.
The Germans have only 60,000 and are obviously not pulling their weight.

But America needn't worry too much about relying on the French and the Italians, because by far their greatest NATO ally is the great Muslim nation of Turkey with a pretty well equipped army of 315,000. Turkey is in fact the only NATO member reaching its agreed budget requirements.

 

[lustatopia]

British Admirals never retire. They are admirals until they die. Many of the 41 are effectively on the reserve list - but in 1914 and 1939 old admirals did very useful work.

Oh, thanks for that context. Learn something new every day.