I was very struck last night at the small size of one of the largest RNR units turnout for a ceremonial divisions. A few years ago such a unit would have seen well over 200 people on parade (I should know, as I was one of them), but this year, barely 100 people mustered - 25% of whom were new entry, and many of whom were very old salts who had been there forever and are rapidly coming close to retirement age.
What worries me is that this unit has been recruiting like mad for years, and yet this doesnt seem to be turning into trained bodies. I spoke to a few people who commented that they had been in for 4-5 years, yet they were the last survivors of their new entry classes. So why are we losing all these people?
I know we keep banging on about recruitment, but is anyone else more than a bit worried that we now don't seem to be able to retain most people for more than 4 years - where is everyone going, and what can we do to stop this decline? If we're not careful we may lose our critical mass in the next few years and cease to be viable.
What worries me is that this unit has been recruiting like mad for years, and yet this doesnt seem to be turning into trained bodies. I spoke to a few people who commented that they had been in for 4-5 years, yet they were the last survivors of their new entry classes. So why are we losing all these people?
I know we keep banging on about recruitment, but is anyone else more than a bit worried that we now don't seem to be able to retain most people for more than 4 years - where is everyone going, and what can we do to stop this decline? If we're not careful we may lose our critical mass in the next few years and cease to be viable.