Summary
As of July 2006, the trained strength of the armed forces
stood at around 180,690, with an estimated shortfall of 5,170 against the
Department's requirements.
This Report examines in detail the issue of
recruitment and retention in the Armed Forces. It discusses the extent to which
manning requirements have not been adjusted to reflect current levels of
activity faced by the Forces. Overall, the armed forces are not in "manning
balance", with the figures showing a wider shortage of trained personnel within
a range of specific trade groups across all three services.
The Report is
accompanied by a second volume,
‘Recruitment
and Retention in the Armed Forces: Volume II: Detailed Survey Results and Case
Studies' (HC 1633-II).