23 August 07 - MoD Manning figures (taken from RAF News Aug 31st).
As of 1 July 07;
RAF 94.3% manned against a target of 45,020
Navy 94.7% manned against a target of 36,720
Army 97.6% manned against a target of 101,800
Armed forces minister Bob Ainsworth said "These official statistics show recruitment into the Royal Navy and RAF remains strong in the demanding conditions of a buoyant economy. Voluntary outflow rates also continue to be stable. We know that there are shortages in the pinch point areas but we are taking action where we can to reduce the pressure".
Amazing! Who's feeding him the 'buoyant economy' drivel - what? In the Forces? And we all know where the 'pinch points' are, don't we? Aircrew!
What it fails to spell out is that we're currently short of 6955 people (that is of course, if you agree with the Government's targeted manning figures in the first place!)
