Page 11 - The Bugle Autumn 2016 Issue 12

the top 25 in the Army Hundred. It is pleasing to see and hear the improvement in bugling. This summer’s Sounding Retreat on Horse Guards Parade included nearly a hundred buglers and the standard was impressive. It remains challenging – but we must maintain the momentum in what is a most visible and audible exposition of our ethos.
I re-emphasise what I said last year – sustaining the Regiment’s manning and building on its ethos and reputation remain the highest priorities. Our manning remains better than many, but we have been constrained by many of the challenges the Army is having with recruiting. It will take a while for this to be recti ed and it will require focused attention to resolve. It is not helped by the unprece- dented paradox, that on the one hand the Army has never been so popular – polling an approval rating of 91% recently – while on the other has never been less well understood. And there continues to be a risk that we are perceived as victims – not as heroes – which is unappealing to those we seek to recruit who simply want to be used.
Of cer recruitment is strong with 21 Direct Entry Of cers joining the Regiment from Sandhurst and a record number of Late Entry Of cers commis- sioned from the ranks. Soldier recruiting has been challenging, with around 30% of our recruits coming from outside our traditional communities. Good recruiting is based on a clear and attractive brand, which is closely associated with our ethos based on ‘the thinking ri eman’. It is helped by unmatched opportunity within the Infantry in terms of role and location, and a reputation for excellence on opera- tions, as well as the family spirit engendered by our pillars.
Both Reserve Battalions, together with D (RIFLES) Company, have improved their trained strength this year, with a welcome increase in Regulars joining the Reserve and the initial signs of a much-needed upturn in Reserve Of cer numbers. In part this has been achieved following an expansion in our Reserve footprint with new Ri es detachments established in Paignton, Barnstaple and Birmingham, together with a return to Pontefract. And as the Reserve evolves still further in the light of SDSR I expect there will be other opportunities for expansion.
There is an increasing realisation within the Army of the importance of youth and the Cadet movement. With nearly 25% of all cadets badged RIFLES this represents a huge opportunity for the Regiment to maximise its talent and signi cantly improve its connection to society. I am pleased with the increased support that is being given to our cap badged Combined Cadet Forces, the closer links between the Regimental Support Teams and their local ACF Detachments, the high number of Ri es Inspecting Of cers, and the expansion of The Ri es’ Cadet Cup.
We have also used the opportunity of the Cadet Expansion Programme to make inroads into new communities, with the recent opening of the CCF in Rockwood Academy in Birmingham (one of the so-called ‘Trojan Horse’ schools) a tremendous
example of what can be done. This will be reinforced through the Cadet Strategy that will shortly be launched that will look to increase the in ow of cadets to our Regular and Reserve battalions, to encourage those transitioning to civilian life to consider service as a Cadet Adult Instructor, and to provide inspiration to the young.
With our tenth anniversary approaching it is time for The Ri es’ Association to come of age. Some 3000 Regular Ri emen have now joined and left The Ri es. We are fortunate with our Forming Regimental Associations and the welcome that they have extended to more recent Ri emen. But I sense the time has come for those ri emen who have only ever served in The Ri es to get back together and this is something that should be encouraged. We draw great strength from the strong links we have established with antecedent and forming regiments, and the communities whence they are drawn, and we should now look to reinforce this still further through The Ri es’ Association coming together.
Remembrance weekend is a great opportunity as are the very successful events that have been organised at the Albert Hall in 2012 and on Horse Guards Parade this year. It would be tremendous to see leadership being exercised in this area and with a growing number of Ri emen standing side by side at the many parades amongst our communities. The RHQ Regional and County Secretaries have an important role to play – and they need our support.
Our Regimental communities are the foundation on which our sustainability depends. Ever dimin- ishing resources, a high tempo of operational activity, and manpower that is spread ever more thinly increases our dependency on a remarkable set of retired Ri emen and hugely supportive communities. Spare a thought for the huge goodwill we receive and please reciprocate. It is right that our battalions should play an ever-increasing role in reinforcing our local communities and the time is right to establish more formal linkages with the Army now being predominantly UK based.
Returning to my starting point on leadership, which I also emphasised in my Foreword last year. As a Regiment we pride ourselves on the quality of our leadership and the intelligent way we unlock the potential of the ‘thinking ri eman’. Be in no doubt though that this cannot be taken for granted; it is based on high standards and the right example being set. We now live in a gold sh bowl and any sense of complacency will be quickly exposed – our tenth anniversary is a timely moment to re ect on this. Let us continue to set an example that the Army can follow.
AS A REGIMENT WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON THE QUALITY
OF OUR LEADERSHIP AND THE INTELLIGENT WAY WE UNLOCK THE POTENTIAL OF THE ‘THINKING RIFLEMAN’
THE RIFLES
FOREWORD 9