Impact of recession/economic down turn on British Army?

Question

Hi,

I'm due to start basic training in a weeks time and throughout my application process, I've been researching as much as possible on the organisation of our Armed forces, the trade I'm joining and the people I'm going to work with. One thing that has been niggling at the back of my mind, which I can't seem to find any information on is how a down turn in the economy (i.e. recession, etc) will impact our Armed forces.

Only recently Gordon f* Brown has decided to further cut to the Royal Navy and will now be reducing the number of type 45's were going to build to replace out type 42's (I think I've got that right).

Can the British Army expect similar cuts and downsizing in the near future?

I'm joining the Army for the lifestyle, adventure, sports, travel, challenge and best of all, security, as I intend to serve as long as possible, but with all these cuts, it's beginning to seem less secure than civi street.

I'm hoping for some informed answers, particularly from the old and bold who have perhaps served and lived through past economic downturns.

Thanks

Matt

Answer 1

We'll be replacing regular bullets with blanks to save metal.

Answer 2

On the contrary - it's the best place to be in an economic downturn or recession.  You are guaranteed employment for yr commission or enlistment.  You have a guaranteed pension as well.  You are protected to a degree from fluctuations in the housing market, energy costs and food prices.

I have only known one set of forced redundancies in the last 25 years in the armed forces and they were a disaster. This is unlikely to be repeated.

The fact of the matter is that the worst cuts in the armed forces of late have been in economic boom times!

As a former military man, I can tell you that you will NEVER find the job security of the armed forces in civvy street and you'd be nuts to think otherwise.

Answer 3

Firstly, they could never cut the defence budget - its running on a shoe string as it is. The last thing they would attempt to cut at the present time is defence spending - watch the news, you'll see why.

Plus, during a recession, recruitment increases as there are more people out of work who need the money.

you're right about the Navy, originally 12 T 45s, now 6! However, i answered a question concerning that very issue, so take a look:

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/ind...

Answer 4

At the moment there seems to be an expanding role for the Services, in terms of the new Aircraft Carriers and Afghanistan, while money seems to be short.

Obviously, a downturn (as we have not yet reached the technical defintion of a recession - two successive Quarters of negative economic growth) will affect the amount of money available to any Government, so new money will definitely be absent.

With the rising cost of equipment, there will be fewer tanks, planes and ships.

Answer 5

The British army do not make regulars redundant!If you sign for 22 expect to do that length.

Answer 6

It was on the news only a week or two ago that the armed forces are significantly undermanned as it is. In view of that I doubt there will be cuts in personel.

The governent is always looking for ways of cutting costs, apart from when it comes to wallpaper in their offices, so realistically speaking further cuts of one kind or another could never be ruled out.