Reform in recruitment

• Problems with recruitment?


  Poor quality officers - commissions - linked to social status

  8-12 years service or 21 years (life) -

  low numbers - struggled to recruit - let debtors and criminals serve in wartime
• methods of recruitment?


  Colonels regiments - officers paid to set up regiments ( poor quality due to being made as cheaply as possible )

  1757 - militia act? - overhaul of assize of arms - 18-50 years old - 5 years service in local militia - poor quality troops still
• Cardwell reforms ( 3 parts )


  regularisation of forces act ( 1871 )

  army act ( 1870 ) - professionalism

  improving training after 1850
• Regularisation? 


  Reorganised regiments into regions

  2 local battalions - home and abroad

  1 third battalion of local militia

  • rations improved and branding and flogging banned
• Professionalism?


  Low ranks - 12 years enlistment (6 army, 6 reserve)

  paid daily rate as reserves

  after 12 years, could sign up for another 12, with a pension
• Improved training?


  1860s - officers at royal military collage, sandhurst - also trained existing officers

  artillery and engineers - Woolwich royal military academy

  1871 - commissions end