Army enlistment levels 'fighting back' in Scotland

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John Tennant tells the BBC's James Cook why he wanted to join the Army

Army recruitment levels have risen significantly in Scotland, with more than a 33% increase over 2009.

Since April 1,000 servicemen and woman have joined all units recruiting in Scotland, compared with 750 for the same period in 2008.

The Army said this reflected the positive way it was viewed by young men and women seeking a career.

The turnaround follows declining recruitment in Scotland from higher levels in the early part of the decade.

In 2002/03, the year before the Iraq war, 2,346 people in Scotland enlisted in the Army. During 2006/07 that number had fallen to 1,617.

I think that youngsters and older people decide to join understanding the risks that are involved and they see the opportunities Sgt Chris Johnston

This year's increase from a figure below 1,000 comes despite the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan which has claimed the lives of 100 British soldiers this year.

Sgt Chris Johnston, from the Adjutant-General's Corps, has been in the Army for nine years and involved in recruitment for a year.He said new recruits were left in no doubt of the lifestyle they were joining.

He told the BBC's News Channel: "When individuals come in, it's called an Initial Contact Visit and they're told straight off of the risks there are in joining the Army - pretty bleakly, unfortunately.

"But they understand when they leave with that application form that once they send that back they are joining the Army and it does have its risks.

Taylor Kindred (right), the 1,001st recruit, at Dreghorn Barracks

"I think that youngsters and older people decide to join understanding the risks that are involved and they see the opportunities that the Army has to offer."

L/Cpl Adam Drane, from 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, became the 100th killed when he died as a result of small arms fire in Helmand Province on Monday.

Brig David Allfrey, Commander 51 (Scottish) Brigade, said economic conditions and increased national support for the Army could be helping to fuel the rise.

He said: "It is phenomenal that at a time when the Army is so busy on operations, particularly in Afghanistan, that we have attracted more than 1,000 talented men and women into the profession since April this year."

Brig Allfrey said the numbers of enlistments had grown steadily over the past couple of years, leading to an increase in manning in all units that recruit from Scotland, - The Royal Regiment of Scotland, the Scots Guards, The Parachute Regiment, The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, The Royal Tank Regiment, The Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers and the technical specialists that support them.