This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42629529

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
New Army advert 'promotes emotional support' for recruits New Army advert 'promotes emotional support' for recruits
(about 3 hours later)
The British Army is launching an advertising campaign, offering "emotional and physical" support to new recruits. The British Army is launching a £1.6m advertising campaign to demonstrate it can "emotionally and physically" support recruits from all backgrounds.
Last month, it was criticised for plans to ditch its "be the best" slogan. Last month, Army plans to ditch its "be the best" slogan and its crest logo were halted by the defence secretary.
The £1.6 million series of radio, TV and animated adverts will urge people from every ethnicity, gender or background to sign up. The radio, TV and animated adverts will urge people to join up regardless of their ethnicity, gender or background.
They will pose questions such as "What if I get emotional?" and "Can I be gay in the Army?". They ask: "What if I get emotional?", "Can I be gay in the Army?" and "Do I have to be a superhero?"
In one advert, a Muslim soldier explains how the army has allowed him to practice his faith.In one advert, a Muslim soldier explains how the army has allowed him to practice his faith.
The adverts are part of the Army's "belonging campaign". All of them are voiced by serving soldiers. The adverts, which are all voiced by serving soldiers, are part of the Army's "belonging campaign".
BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale says the Army has been struggling to retain and recruit soldiers. Recruitment struggle
Last year, a campaign was used to promote - what the Army calls - the travel opportunities and friendships within its ranks to boost numbers. The Army has been struggling to retain and recruit soldiers for a number of years.
Statistics show there were just over 82,000 UK regular forces Army personnel in October 2017, compared with nearly 103,000 five years before.
About 10% of members of the UK regular forces are women, and 7.5% come from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.
BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale says there have been accusations it is a soft campaign aimed at what some people dub the "snowflake generation" - and that the Army is pandering to political correctness.
In December, the defence secretary ditched plans to scrap the Army's "be the best" slogan.In December, the defence secretary ditched plans to scrap the Army's "be the best" slogan.
According to the Mail on Sunday, the Army was considering changing the phrase after criticism it was "dated, elitist and non-inclusive". According to the Mail on Sunday, the the Army was considering changing the phrase after criticism it was "dated, elitist and non-inclusive".
The Army's research also found its crest - depicting crossed swords, a crown and a lion - to be "non-inclusive" and recommended replacing both with a union jack with the word ARMY in bold underneath.
A spokesman for Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said he believed the Army was "the best of the best" and that the rebrand proposals had been put on hold.
Last year, a campaign was used to promote what the Army calls the travel opportunities and friendships within its ranks to boost numbers.