British Army

The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. In contrast to the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, the British Army does not include royal in its title, because of its roots as a collection of disparate units. The British Army has taken part in campaigns throughout the world, and has a long and distinguished history in warfare. Today the Army is one of the most technologically advanced land forces in the world, and is deployed in many of the world's war zones as part of a fighting force, and in United Nations peacekeeping forces.

The Army today

For equipment, see Modern equipment and uniform of the British Army

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Statistics

Current deployments

Formation and structure

See main article: Structure of the British Army

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The structure of the British Army is complex, due to the

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different origins of its various constituent parts.

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In terms of the nature of its servicemen, it is divided into the Regular Army (full-time professional soldiers) and the Territorial Army (part-time paid soldiers). In terms of its military structure it is divided into corps (administrative groupings by common function), and divisions and brigades (large formations, somewhat fluid in nature).

Related Topics:
Territorial Army - Corps - Divisions - Brigade - Formation

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The regiment is in some respects the most important unit of the British

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Army. It is the largest "permanent" tactical unit in most corps, although it is only an administrative and ceremonial grouping of battalions in the infantry. Typically, a regiment or battalion consists of around 700 soldiers and is commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel. Many infantry regiments today consist of only one regular battalion, although many also contain another Territorial Army battalion.

Related Topics:
Battalion - Infantry - Lieutenant Colonel

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A typical battalion or regiment follows a structure similar to the

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following:

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• Company (or Squadron) of about 100 soldiers, commanded by a Major.
• Platoon (or Troop) of about 30 soldiers, commanded by a Lieutenant
• Section of about 8 soldiers, commanded by a Corporal

Sections can be subdivided into two fire teams for tactical purposes.

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Recruitment

The Army mainly recruits within the United Kingdom, and normally has a recruitment target of around 25,000 soldiers per year. Low unemployment in Britain has resulted in the Army having difficulty in meeting its target, and in the early years of the 21st century there has been a marked increase in the number of recruits from other (mostly Commonwealth) countries, who as of mid-2004 comprised approximately 7.5% of the Army's total strength. In July 2004 there were 5,620 foreign soldiers from 42 countries in the Army (not counting over 3,000 Nepalese Gurkhas). After Nepal, the nation with most citizens in the British Army is Fiji, with 1,895, followed by Jamaica with 960; soldiers also come from more prosperous countries such as Australia and South Africa.

Related Topics:
Commonwealth - Nepal - Gurkha - Fiji - Jamaica - Australia - South Africa

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In 2003, nearly 10,000 teenagers joined the army, including more than 3000 16-year-olds.http://www.newstatesman.com/200412060006.htm

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