The Army is developing new Reserve structures and a new Reserve Operating Model to give reservists clearer roles, missions and opportunities to contribute to national defence, Calvin Bailey, Minister for Veterans and People, has said, according to an answer given in Parliament.
Lee Anderson, the Reform UK MP for Ashfield, asked what steps are being taken to increase the number of Army reservists.
Bailey said: “The Army is working to grow and modernise the Army Reserve by improving recruitment, retention and readiness. Locally focused recruiting and targeted digital engagement have shown improvements in application conversion rates, while tailored campaigns and professional networks are being used to attract core Reserve personnel and specialist civilian skills.
“The Armed Forces Recruiting Service offers an opportunity to better reflect Reserve candidates’ differing motivations and circumstances. Future Reserve structures and a new Reserve Operating Model will provide clearer roles, missions and opportunities to contribute to national defence, with units retaining a central role in local recruitment and retention.”
The Ministry of Defence said in May that only 4 per cent of Army Reserve applicants in 2024-25 became untrained entrants, the lowest of the three services, against 7 per cent for the Royal Navy and 5 per cent for the RAF. It said then it had cut the number of appointments and increased automation since November 2024, and that Reserve recruiting would move to the new Armed Forces Recruiting System.
Separate figures showed fewer than one in thirty reservists deployed last year.
Why would anyone join a reserve formation that has no equipment?
So we will modernise and centralise to drive efficiency! In other words we will remove the links to local communities that drives recuitment and belonging, we will remove desicion making from local leaders and amalgamate units to cut costs.
Ive heard this song before…