Recruitment & Training

Recruitment c.1900-1960

The World Wars resulted in the introduction of conscription which remained even into peacetime. The growing importance of 'free will' in the 1960s turned the tide against National Service and the army has since been a career choice.

Changes

The demands of WWI and WWII meant recruitment changed significantly, with conscription introduced throughout both wars and even in peacetime.
By the 1960s, however, the growing power of ‘free will’ and ‘individual choice’ turned the tide against National Service and the army has since remained a career choice, rather than a mandatory period of service.

WWI recruitment

Army was small and need to recruit more soldiers.
Kitchener’s propaganda campaign convinced many, but 35,000 volunteers per week were needed to replace casualties.

WWI conscription

March 1916: Military Service Act introduced conscription (compulsory service), which lasted until Nov 1918, for all unmarried men aged 18-41 (extended to married men in May 1916).
By the end of war, ¼ male population had enlisted.

WWII

Conscription begins at start of war with the 1939 National Service Act.
Conscription applies to increasingly wide age range from December 1941, recruiting men up to 51 and also unmarried women aged 20-30.
Women worked in special missions e.g. coding/spies.

Recruitment 1945-1960

Conscription continues to focus on British Empire and Cold War.
National Service introduced - 1948 - which was a peacetime conscription in order to maintain a strong army.
17-21yr old men serve for 18 months and completed basic military training, before serving in the Reserves for 4 years.

Recruitment c.1960- Present

Recruitment after the 1960s

National Service ends.
Recruits accepted from 16 (18 active).
1991 –Women serve alongside men in combat, but excluded from some regiments.

Current armed forces

In 2018, women were allowed to join the SAS for the first time - the final regiment that had previously excluded women.
Britain’s current army is just under 85,000 troops, with 150,000 in total, including the RAF and Navy.
80% of officers are university graduates.

Conscientious objectors

Conscientious objectors were people who refused to serve in the army because it went against their beliefs.
- WWI - 16,000 men applied for exemption on this basis.
- WWII - this rose to 60,000 men and 1000 women.

Tribunals

Conscientious objectors had to prove their beliefs at a tribunal.
- Often unfair hearings.
- If recognised, they were offered non-combat roles e.g. ambulance drivers, but if anyone refused, they were imprisoned.

Modern day treatment

Individual freedom is seen as a right, over duty/loyalty to a state.
People are no longer drafted into the war.

1Medieval Warfare c.1250-1500

1.1Medieval Warfare & Society

1.1.1Weapons

1.1.2Composition

1.1.3Recruitment & Training

1.1.4Experience of Civilians

1.1.5Case Studies

1.1.6Change in Medieval Warfare

2Early Modern Warfare c.1500-1700

2.1Early Modern Warfare & Society

2.1.1Weapons

2.1.2Composition

2.1.3Recruitment & Training

2.1.4Experience of Civilians

2.1.5Case Studies

2.1.6Change in Early Modern Warfare

3Industrial Warfare c.1700-1900

3.1The Industrial Period & Warfare

3.1.1Weapons

3.1.2Composition

3.1.3Recruitment & Training

3.1.4Experience of Civilians

3.1.5Case Studies

3.1.6Change in Industrial Period Warfare

4Modern Warfare c.1900-present

4.1Modern Warfare & Society

4.1.1Weapons

4.1.2Composition

4.1.3Recruitment & Training

4.1.4Experience of Civilians

4.1.5Case Studies

4.1.6Change in Modern Warfare

5The Historic Environment

5.1London & the Second World War, 1939-45

5.1.1London: A Target

5.1.2Preparations for War

5.1.3The Blitz

5.1.4V1 & V2 Attacks

5.1.5Impact of the Blitz

5.1.6The War Effort

5.1.7The Government

5.1.8The Royal Family

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