British Army Nationality & Return of Service Report (1996-2010)

In July 2010 the (now defunct) Defence Analytical and Statistics Agency (DASA) published ‘Army Nationality and Return of Service Report (An Analysis of Nationality on Length of Service)’. Introduction This report identifies the differences in behaviour between trained soldiers of Foreign and Commonwealth (F&C) and UK nationality in respect to achieved length of trained service. Summary of Analysis… Read More

Arming the British Home Guard, 1940-1944

Research Paper Title Arming the British Home Guard, 1940-1944. Abstract The Second World War saw British society mobilised to an unprecedented extent to meet the threat of Total War. ‘Total Defence’ was manifest in organisations such as the ARP and Home Guard. What sets the Home Guard apart was its combatant role. This (PhD) thesis (which runs… Read More

Assessing the Evidence regarding Warm-ups for Military Fitness Testing

Research Paper Title Warm-ups for military fitness testing: rapid evidence assessment of the literature. Background Warm-up exercises are commonly used before exercise as a method to physiologically prepare for strenuous physical activity. Various warm-up exercises are often implemented but without scientific merit and, at times, may be detrimental to performance. To date, no systematic reviews… Read More

New GSM for London District

A new Garrison Sergeant-Major (GSM) has been appointed to the London District. Warrant Officer Class 1 (W01) Vern Stokes (Coldstream Guards) will oversee ceremonial events in the capital and beyond following the departure of WO1 (GSM) Bill Mott (Welsh Guards), who retired after 13 years in the job. Cutting an imposing figure at nine-feet tall in his bearskin, WO1 Stokes… Read More

The British Army & Flexible Working

Speaking in Soldier Magazine, General Nicholas Carter, professional head of the British Army, has stated that “We are now looking very open-mindedly at the viability of part-time service, job sharing and flexible hours.” He went on to say the a pilot scheme for flexible working involving ten officers is due to start in the next month or so but the… Read More

British Army Appoints First Female Major General & First Female Brigade Commander

  Brigadier Susan Ridge is set to become the first Servicewoman to achieve the rank of Major General (OF-7). She is currently working as Director Legal Advisory (Army Legal Services), providing advice to the chain of command on disciplinary matters through to dealing with military complaints and enquiries. In her new role as Director General Army Legal Services, which she takes up in September,… Read More

Warrant Officers & the British Armed Forces

“…though the ranks are few, the appointments which may be held by them are many. Indeed, there are, today, over seventy appointments among the Warrant Officers…” (Dawnay, 1949, p.3). The rank of warrant officer has a rather interesting history which is not well known, even amongst those who hold that rank. The military grade of… Read More