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Armed Forces: Recruitment

Answer

Between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009, the Royal Navy received 1,001 Rating or RM Other Rank applications from former UK Military personnel including RN, Army, RAF and former Reservists. Of these, 67 are still outstanding; 44 of which are awaiting routine requests for information on pay from the other services and 23 are pending resolution of medical queries. In the same period, there were 11 re-entrant officer applications; eight of these applicants have already re-entered service. Of the balance, one has yet to accept a job offer, one is awaiting a medical and the third's application is still being processed.In the period 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009, the Army Personnel Centre completed 2,911 applications for re-enlistment. A further 1,226 applications made during that period are still pending.During financial year 2008-09, there were a total of 42 ex-service personnel who applied to join the RAF, 16 of whom are still waiting for a final decision. Of these 16, eight are Officers (five are waiting for training places while the remaining three are still going through the selection process) and eight are Other Ranks (all waiting for training places).In the Army, during the period 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2009, the longest period an applicant has had to wait for re-enlistment is two years 115 days. The relevant Army authorities are currently investigating the reasons behind this delay. It is not possible, within the time constraints, to determine the longest period that an individual has had to wait for a decision on a re-entry application within the RN and RAF.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

492 c37-8W; 265908

Session

2008-09

Subjects

Armed forces Recruitment

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk