Page 29 - Chronicle Vol 17

HEADQUARTERS INFANTRY
2023 has seen progress on the significant workforce changes imposed by both Future Soldier and the move of 1 RIFLES to Cyprus until 2025.
The move to Cyprus saw a reduction in workforce of almost 100 across the ranks. This process was carried out with care and consideration as the battalion was firmly rooted in Chepstow - making the move painful for the majority, impossible for some. For those who felt they could not move and disrupt their families, alter- natives were found where possible. 1 RIFLES is now well settled in Cyprus and enjoying the challenges and opportunities Island life and the Regional Standby Battalion role offers.
3 RIFLES faces the most significant workforce reduction as they restructure to become a Security Force Assistance Battalion. This is a tremendous upheaval for the Riflemen, not simply because of the scale of the reductions (approx. 250 Riflemen of all ranks) but again due to the Battalion’s long and deep ties to the city of Edinburgh. The reductions have necessitated a broad-minded approach both in planning and in the minds of those affected. Not everyone could stay in Edinburgh. Options were identified across the Regiment and the wider Infantry, even wider Defence if that best suited an individual. The highest priority was the wellbeing of Riflemen and their families, getting as many as possible to a place where they could be content and continue their careers. It is credit to the Battalion’s planning and coordination, and the approach of the Riflemen, that moves will take place, across the Regiment and the Infantry and without a signifi- cant spike in voluntary outflow.
More generally, amidst an extremely challenging workforce environment, HQ Infantry and Workforce Plans identified a dramatic shortfall in Infantry LCpls threatening Infantry structural sustainability. As of 1 Jul 23, there was a LCpl delta of 624 across the Infantry under current structures. This translates to a delta of 466 under the Future Soldier (FS) structures. As the restructuring of 3 RIFLES progresses LCpls are being rebalanced wherever possible. This, combined with the steady drumbeat of JNCO cadres in 2023, will see 1 and 2 RIFLES at 100%, 5 RIFLES at 90% and 3 RIFLES continuing to overbear into 2024 at ~180%. It is critical that we continue developing and mentoring our Riflemen to be ready for a cadre and to aspire to be LCpls. We currently seem to be better at this than else- where in the Infantry, but we cannot be complacent.
RECRUITING
The Army faces a challenging employment market which has seen a steady decline in recruiting applications year on year since 2020. Post-covid, economic, demographic, generational, societal, and reputational factors have significantly affected the applications and inflow. Along with declining applications, a DRS outage in the middle of 2022 brought added pressure. Whilst work was done to stay engaged and re-engage with all existing applicants, it was assessed that
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