What's happened
European countries, including the UK and the US, are facing challenges in recruiting for their armed forces. The Royal Navy in the UK has relaxed its swimming proficiency requirement for new recruits, while the US Army and Air Force are on track to meet their goals but the Navy is expected to fall short. The move by the Royal Navy has been criticized as a desperate attempt to address a recruitment crisis.
Why it matters
The recruitment challenges faced by armed forces in the UK and the US have significant implications for national security and defense capabilities. The relaxation of entry requirements by the Royal Navy reflects the broader struggle to attract young people to military service, amidst competition from the private sector.
What the papers say
The Royal Navy's decision to remove the swimming proficiency requirement has been met with criticism, with experts warning of the desperation behind the move. While the Navy defends the change as a means to encourage a wider pool of recruits, concerns have been raised about the potential impact on training and operational readiness. The US military's mixed results in meeting recruiting goals highlight the ongoing challenges in attracting qualified candidates to service.
How we got here
Recruitment challenges in the armed forces have been exacerbated by a competitive job market and changing societal attitudes towards military service. The Royal Navy's decision to relax its entry requirements comes in the context of declining applications and a need to address a recruitment crisis. The US military's struggles to meet recruiting goals reflect similar issues faced by other Western countries.
Common question
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