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Scots soldiers recruitment boost Scots soldiers recruitment boost
(about 1 hour later)
Scotland's new army regiment has attracted growing numbers of recruits, BBC Scotland has learned.Scotland's new army regiment has attracted growing numbers of recruits, BBC Scotland has learned.
The Royal Regiment of Scotland was formed six months ago amid fears that the formation would fail to attract sufficient numbers of new recruits.The Royal Regiment of Scotland was formed six months ago amid fears that the formation would fail to attract sufficient numbers of new recruits.
But figures have revealed that the total number enlisting until September this year was 212, compared to 188 for the same period in 2005.But figures have revealed that the total number enlisting until September this year was 212, compared to 188 for the same period in 2005.
A new recruitment drive will be visible throughout Scotland in coming weeks.A new recruitment drive will be visible throughout Scotland in coming weeks.
The seven Scottish battalions are all made up from infantry soldiers, which means they are the first to see action in any conflict situation.The seven Scottish battalions are all made up from infantry soldiers, which means they are the first to see action in any conflict situation.
Recruitment Major Mark Ewing, officer commanding, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, said: "Our figures are up and it seems people are more assured about the new regiment.Recruitment Major Mark Ewing, officer commanding, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, said: "Our figures are up and it seems people are more assured about the new regiment.
"There is no shortage of people showing an interest (in joining up). It all augurs well for the future." "There is no shortage of people showing an interest [in joining up]. It all augurs well for the future."
Recruiting concernsRecruiting concerns
But Charles Heyman, a leading defence analyst, urged caution over the figures.But Charles Heyman, a leading defence analyst, urged caution over the figures.
He said that the true recruitment figures could only be discerned after basic training, when between 20% and 25% of recruits can drop out.He said that the true recruitment figures could only be discerned after basic training, when between 20% and 25% of recruits can drop out.
Jeff Duncan, of the Reinstate Our Army Regiment campaign, said: "The trumpeting of a minute increase on last year's recruiting figures is certainly nothing to boast about given the amalgamation of Scotland's regiments has redistributed men from regiments now disbanded, such as the Royal Scots and KOSB.
"What we are now seeing is a smaller Scottish infantry with much fewer recruits despite a quadrupling of advertising to attract new recruits. This is not a success story but a failure."
Combining the Scottish regiments into one resulted in a massive campaign of opposition across the country, with concerns over weakening the links to traditional recruiting grounds.Combining the Scottish regiments into one resulted in a massive campaign of opposition across the country, with concerns over weakening the links to traditional recruiting grounds.
The move sparked heavy criticism and led to a series of protest marches across Scotland in a bid to have the decision reversed.The move sparked heavy criticism and led to a series of protest marches across Scotland in a bid to have the decision reversed.
Army chiefs said the changes were needed to ensure commitments could be met in the 21st Century.Army chiefs said the changes were needed to ensure commitments could be met in the 21st Century.
The Royal Scots Borderers, Royal Highland Fusiliers, Black Watch, The Highlanders, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and the two Territorial Battalions, 52nd Lowland and 51st Highland, form the regiment.The Royal Scots Borderers, Royal Highland Fusiliers, Black Watch, The Highlanders, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and the two Territorial Battalions, 52nd Lowland and 51st Highland, form the regiment.