British army wants a few good Caribbean men


LONDON, United Kingdom, July 21, 2008 - The British army is turning to the Caribbean to boost its depleted troop numbers, completing a recruitment drive in four regional countries and considering sending a selection team to Jamaica.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the army's overseas selection teams are considering a visit to Jamaica but plans are still at an early stage and have yet to be finalised. There are about 600 Jamaicans serving in the British army, among about 12,000 foreign and Commonwealth personnel who serve in its armed forces.

The military has had difficulty recruiting and retaining soldiers as it maintains its deployment in Iraq and engages a resurgent Taliban in Afghanistan.

It recently completed a tour of the islands of St Lucia, Belize, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines, which began in March, as part of a plan to attract more Caribbean nationals to the British service.

The army said 186 men and women, between 17 and 24 were selected from the about 600 applicants who initially underwent academic and medical tests.

Candidates are expected to arrive in the UK for full training by November.

The army accepts applicants from the Commonwealth and Ireland. According to figures from the Ministry of Defence, there are about 12,000 foreigners serving in the British military.




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