PERMANENT FORCES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 February 1939, Page 6

PERMANENT FORCES

RECRUITS FROM TERRITORIAL UNITS WANTED

STANDARD OF EFFICIENCY HIGH. THE ARMY AS A CAREER. During the last few years the ranks of our Regular Force have been steadily built up to enable them to cope with their increasing responsibilities. What are these responsibilities? Firstly, to provide the instructional and administrative staff for the Territorial and Cadet Forces. Secondly, to form a nucleus of fully trained officers, N.C.O.’s and men for immediate action in an emergency, particularly with the coast defence and anti-air-craft units.

For the regular soldier “immediate” means what it says; he must be at his post within one to four hours’ notice, not days—literally holding the fort until the full strength of the Territorial unit, which provides the main defence, can be mobilised. Thus there is at all limes the closest, and most cordial, cooperation between our Regulars and Territorials. They work together, play together, and respect each other; if the need comes, they will fight alongside each other to maintain the security of our homes and our people. At the moment, recruits for the Regular Force are being called for from Territorial units. The standard required is high. Physically a height limit of 5 feet 8 inches and a stiff all-round medical examination. This is necessary, as anyone now joining the Regular Force should be fit for active service in any part of the world. The educational and moral standards required are equally high. Intendingg recruits must be between the ages of 19 and 25 years, unmarried, and, naturally of British nationality. Serving Territorials who are keen on their soldiering, and who can measure up to these exacting standards should apply immediately to their unit for further particulars. The closing date for applications is February 14. The necessity for keenness is emphasised because the job is not an easy one, and only a man with enthusiasm as well as ability, is worth while.

For the Regular soldier, as for his comrades of the Navy and Air Forces, there is no 40 hour week. He signs on to serve if required for 24 hours a day for 365 days in the year. There is always the possibility which is eagerly looked forward to by everyone of being sent abroad to Australia, and possibly the United Kingdom and India for advanced training.

When a recruit is accepted, he undergoes a strenuous course at the Army School of Instruction, Trenthami, under picked instructors, arid is on probation for the first year of his eight years’ engagement. Actually at the end of his first five years’ service he may be recommended for re-engage-ment up to 55 years of age, or for transfer to the Reserve for the remaining three years of his original engagement. All the above information shows that only the best men available are good enough fof our Regular Force, and that anyone who wishes to make it his career must not only have the requisite qualities when he joins up, but maintain a high standard of efficiency throughout his service. But for men of the right type who have the instincts of a soldier, the life is a good one, comradeship is excellent, and the conditions of service generally are as good as those in any Army in the world.

During the last six months the Territorial Force has increased its strength to the extent of 1,600. new recruits, the majority of whom have been actuated by a sense of duty in joining up. Many of them are well up to the standard required for the Regular Force and there should be no difficulty in obtaining the Regular recruits now required.