Army Recruits Defy Dangerous Postings

Continuing military casualties in Afghanistan have signally failed to put-off potential recruits for the Army.

Northern Ireland is likely to see a further 500 new soldiers 'falling-in' this year, according to new figures just revealed.

The target represents a marked rise on the average intake of 300 regular army recruits per year.

The revised figure reflects the growing interest in a military career from people both north and south of the border.

The intensified drive also comes against the backdrop of the recent murders of two soldiers by dissident republicans - and the killing of a policeman.

Lieutenant Colonel Dick Rafferty, Head of Army Recruitment in Northern Ireland said: "I believe the recruiting environment in Northern Ireland has greatly changed; there has been a change in attitude; the economic climate may be a contributing factor; but young people want to join the Army, we have seen that over the past few years.

"The majority of them recognise that the Army offers a rewarding and stable career," he said.

More than 900 young men and women have joined the regular Army from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in the last three years.

That is on top of the annual intake of 425 soldiers to the Territorial Army.

"Young men from Northern Ireland have been joining the Army for centuries with young women joining the ranks in the last 60 years," added Lt Col Rafferty.

"Every recruit is made fully aware of the challenges and demanding things asked of them.

"Today we get all walks of life through the doors, people that have trained in a trade, be it a plasterer or a roofer, others that have worked in manufacturing, and others straight from school. Most of them have thought about the Army before, it is not something they do on a whim.

"There is a rigorous recruiting process and not everyone makes it through, only the most determined and capable."

(BMcC)