Episode details
Available for over a year
John Waite investigates why so few reservists are signing up to the British Army. Last year more left than joined - but 11,000 extra part-time soldiers are needed to plug the gap left by large-scale redundancies prompted by budget cuts. Officials have admitted a flawed application system is partly to blame, and we hear from one hopeful new recruit rejected because he suffers from indigestion. Face the Facts has learned that many companies are reluctant to let their staff sign up, and there could be a deeper cultural problem to overcome too. John visits the US, where reservists have long formed an important part of the country's military strength. So why is Britain failing to replicate the success of countries whose systems helped inspired the changes to British Army? Minister for Defence Personnel, Anna Soubry, responds to the criticisms. Producer: Dan O'Brien Editor: Andrew Smith.
Programme Website