To think it's no wonder the Army is understrength?

[Thenotes]

First, let me say I dont love the idea of my son joining up but it's all he's ever wanted, it motivated him to achieve more than anyone thought possible to get the grades required for Sandhurst and he excelled at Cadets in a way he never has at anything else. He's 18 now and it's his life, please don't tell me all the reasons I should be appalled at the whole idea.

Apparently (according to DS, I haven't fact checked) the Army is currently 8000 under strength and struggling to full those vacancies.

DS has been in the process of applying for 12 months now. The recruitment is outsourced (capita) and it's been farce from the start.

First they said they hadnt got information he's sent and they'd acknowledged electronically. This happened several times until they cancelled his application because he "hadn't responded" when not only had he responded but they'd acknowledged and confirmed all in order several times.

Then he had a medical and was refered for something minor. Sent to see GP for a second test, which was done and results sent off, then they decided that although GP results were fine (first test had been marginal) they wanted him to see their specialist. He went to Sailsbury (at tax payers expense) to have their doctor say the same as GP and tell him verbally that all is in order. That was three weeks ago but the recruitment people haven't yet had that confirmation from the doctor.

It's endless. He hasnt even got close to getting a date for the four day selection board yet.

In the meantime he's doing casual work and starting to think of other options. If he was less committed they'd have lost him ages ago but are in danger of losing him anyway. And they need him more than he needs them.

I'm sure I'm biased but he's a strong candidate that they (we) risk losing him because they can't get the process done.

It must doubly disadvantage people from lower income families who need a proper job and can't afford to mess around with all these delays.

Welcome to having civvies recruit instead of the actually Army. A few years ago it was all done by soldiers in careers offices and civvies were not involved in the process. Now the Army drafted in Capita who have steadily got worse and worse recruiting results over the past few years. Plus your son is correct, the Army is very undermanned.

Let this farce be the factor that drives him to keep going! It's like this in all 'civil' jobs, once he's past the civilian gatekeepers, he'll never have to deal with them again.

DP (6 foot semi pro boxer) spent 3 years applying for the army before he met me, kept getting held up on various things and in the end left it. His friend (5 foot of nothing who weighs 50kg) got in within 8 weeks! Luckily now it's all worked out and DP is happy with his life now. The medicals basically killed it for him

They probably prioritise recruiting for the lower paid non officer (or at least NCO) ranks.

Very different from when my DH joined about 25 years ago (admittedly RAF) - he actually (so the story goes) joined up by accident!

Private Eye have been reporting on this for years. Everything your son is experiencing. It's a fucking joke.

Welcome to having civvies recruit instead of the actually Army. It's not because they're civvies, it's because the process has been outsourced, and many outsourcing exercises run into problems because at contract letting stage the number of things that can go wrong hasn't been fully thought through. If you do something in-house, you make shift and sort out any out-of-the-norm cases; contractors do only what they've been paid for under the contract.

Civvies are perfectly capable of running an efficient recruitment process.

Capita. Enough said.

I don't know about the army but the navy are very efficient, yes it took 9 months from initial contact but with such a decision it shouldn't be rushed. They also have offered lots of support to us as a family including phone calls to the parents during the process. She's on a specific scheme that takes years, the investment in her is huge, can't complain

The RAF is very well organised.

Our sons recruitment and that of his peers was complex, to say the least. Long drawn out, piecemeal and lacking coordination. The military staff in the recruiting office kept changing and losing information. Work experience and acquaints we sorted through friends.
That said, it was worth the hassle through sixth form. He’s just passed his six years service and whilst some of it has been tough, it was absolutely the right thing for him to do. He’s had brilliant opportunities, travelled the world, and has a good career.
I suspect the shambolic recruitment is partially intentional to assess sticking power and determination.

Ds's joining was quick. Turned 18 Last month. Starts phase 1 training in 2 weeks..

Does anyine know how Capita are paid? Coukd it be by active recruits on their books? It almost feels like it's in their interests to keep delaying.

This is because of the lie that private firms are more efficient than public sector.

CherryPavlova

I suspect the shambolic recruitment is partially intentional to assess sticking power and determination

That is vey definitely not the case.

Capita are a nightmare and the undermanning in the Army is not helped by their crapness. Because the majority of the box tickers are civilians they aren't qualified/able to make any judgement calls. It's all straight down the line with zero movement whilst they're involved.

Frankly, they're a disgrace and cost us a fecking fortune in all sorts of ways.

My friend works at the Civil Service and from application to 1st day it was 10 months! They didn't invite her to interview for months, then had no idea when her start date was. Seems like a public sector thing.

It's not because they're civvies, it's because the process has been outsourced

It's both. Crapita should NEVER have been allowed to take over recruiting. They are shite, their recruiters have no military experience. They push recruits into unsuitable Corps and Regts because they are trying to fill spaces rather than get the 'right man(woman) for the job'. They ignore Regtl traditions and families and they do the minimum whereas Military recruiters went over and above to help.

I spent 24 years in the Army - I am actively discouraging my DD from doing the same - even though I can see how good she would be.

I feel like I should write to my MP but presumably they know all this!

There’s a reason they’re know As Crapita.

Has he thought of joining other services?