Modern recruitment and training

• What unprecedented scale did recruitment reach during the World Wars?

  Recruitment reached an unprecedented scale.
• How did 'total war' impact recruitment during the World Wars?

  It affected both civilians and soldiers alike.
• What year did the First World War start?

  1914
• What was the appeal for volunteers in 1914 during the First World War?

  Thousands were needed to replace casualties.
• What did the Military Service Act introduce in 1916?

  Conscription for unmarried men aged 18-41.
• When did conscription end during the First World War?

  1918
• What year did the Second World War begin?

  1939
• What did the National Service Act do in 1939?

  Reintroduced conscription.
• What was the age limit for conscription in 1941?

  Men aged up to 51 and unmarried women aged 20-30.
• When was the age limit for conscripted women increased to 51?

  1943
• What happened in 1960 regarding the army?

  Return to a permanent, volunteer standing army.
• When did women first serve in the armed forces?

  During the World Wars.
• What roles did women serve in from 1917-18?

  In the Auxiliary Corps, Women's Royal Naval Service, and Women's Air Force.
• How many women served in military-based roles in 1944?

  200,000 women
• What role did women have in 1916?

  Worked as nurses in Voluntary Aid Detachments.
• What was the significance of the Women's Voluntary Service (WVS) in 1941?

  Unmarried women aged 20-30 could be conscripted.
• How many civilian members did the WVS have?

  One million civilian members.
• When were women integrated into male units?

  1992
• How many combatants lost their lives in the First World War?

  10 million combatants
• How many combatants and civilians lost their lives in the Second World War?

  15 million combatants, 45 million civilians
• What were the other methods of recruitment during the World Wars?

  1. Government propaganda encouraged enlistment.
  2. Pals Battalions formed local volunteer groups.
  3. National service required men aged 17-21 to serve.
• What is conscription?

  Mandatory service in the armed forces.
• What is the current size of Britain's regular, professional army?

  About 85,000 combatants.
• What is the total size of Britain's permanent, full-time force including the RAF and Royal Navy?

  About 150,000 people.
• How do pay and conditions in the army compare to other careers?

  They match other careers.
• What is the duration of basic training in the army?

  14 weeks.
• How long does training for specialist units take?

  It takes longer than basic training.
• What percentage of officers join as graduates?

  Over 80 percent.
• What does the Territorial Army provide?

  A trained reserve force.
• What is 'total war' characterized by?

  Civilians being attacked alongside soldiers.
• What led to wars of attrition during the World Wars?

  Developments in scale and weaponry.
• What are the key features of total warfare?

  • Attacks on both military and civilian targets
  • Wars of attrition
  • Exhaustion of enemy manpower and resources