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Well first of all hello.

I'm a colombian living in wales and I love this country.

I had a few doubts about the Royal army.

I don't want to sound stupid but I really want to know the answers once and for all and this looks like the right place to go for help so here I go..


From what I read the UK has something close to 210 thousand soldiers.

I know the UK army has the best training on a global scale but...

Is this a peace time number or is It the size that the royal army should be to sucessfully defend the island?

Do they plan to build up their forces?

If you don't agree with the number of active men.
How many troops should be in the army and why?("why" as in mission)


In the second gulf war the UK had something close to 30 thousand troops in Iraq did they call reserves or did they use profesional forceas for the war?

And my last question how many reserves does the UK have?

I had a few doubts about the Royal army.

Royal Army? Whats that, we have an Army, but hardly any of it has a Royal title...

How many troops should be in the army and why?("why" as in mission)

Go to http://www.army.mod.uk to find out all about each unit in the Army.

In the second gulf war the UK had something close to 30 thousand troops in Iraq did they call reserves or did they use profesional forceas for the war?

At the end of the war we had more like 45 thousand guys and gals out there. Also, I think you will find that the Reserves are a professional force, even the TA these days has apparently changed and can be counted upon.

rabby wrote:

I think you will find that the Reserves are a professional force, even the TA these days has apparently changed and can be counted upon.

Well put that man!

Recruiting;
Out of date figures, but last I heard the Army (might of included the 'other' lot too ) was not meeting its targets to simply maintain the current strength by 8,000.

Numbers for the forces can be found Here
Obviously in times of old the forces in general was a lot larger than it is now but as a nation it needs to be decided what exactly our role in the world is going to be. At the moment, 'Tony' is making demands of the forces that very soon will exceed its capability.
Should this mean we should increase the size of the Army or should we decrease the UK's commitments?

Reserves;
The SDR decided we have a lot of TA soldiers doing, well F-All.
Conclusion; Change the role of the TA in the Army
result; 1996 Reserve Forces Act
Reservists were deployed and continue to serve in Iraq.
Numbers and information can be found Here
I hope my ravings brought on by insomnia have been helpful

SA80
Don't wanna be pedantic but ... the British Army is not "Royal". This is because of its history, it dates back to Oliver Cromwell's New Model Army which was actually fighting the King, so it it the only branch of the forces not to be royal. Having said that, only about five capbadges in the entire force do not have a royal symbol incorporated into it.

Secondly, about expansion. In the new policy doc 4 the Armed Forces it looks like the size is going to decrease again, not get bigger. In the event of a World War tho, HQ Land Command estimates that 14,000,000 men are of the standard to be mobilised if conscription were needed. Bit of a fanciful figure but...

btw hello everyone!

SA80, which pub do you drink in, because I`ll defo have a pint of what your on. shyte, lets make it two

Hello all, 14,000,000 men is fine, but we can barely equip the army now so unless you can persuade them to attack the enemy with sticks and pitch forks they would be pretty useless...

Reservists are professional, well at least most of them are, and before they get sent anywhere they spend some time with in an ATR or regimental barracks brushing up and dusting off the cobwebs...

Guys give him a break on the "royal" army thing; I guess if your foreign it's an easy mistake to make...

Welcome both of you and enjoy...


lew

lew wrote:so unless you can persuade them to attack the enemy with sticks and pitch forks they would be pretty useless...


lew

Lew, whats sticks done to upset you?

Lew, whats sticks done to upset you?

not letting me into your bunker

lew

Shyte Lew, box of tissues on the way, bless you. better edit that post of yours before Loz pings it

lol, was only playing, please don't tell her...


lew

Lew............I won`t have to if her highness has posted on this thread, GULP I wouldn`t like to be in your shoes mate..........he he

lozhop wrote:I am here!!!!

OH Lew baby!!!! Who are you trying to kid????
Reservists in the whole aren't professional...they are playing at being proper soldiers...you should know that.
Loz
x

loz I’m hurt...

I think some are, I wouldn’t call the TA soldier who bought it last year un professional he died serving his country and no one can ask more than that...

But your right for the most part, it does sometimes seem like boy scouts with rifles... but I didn’t say that ...


lew

Wouldn't pick I fight with you again, just thought that guy deserved a mention...


lew

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