Soldier – August 2019

[email protected]

T

WO thirds of Reservists have

high morale – a significantly

higher proportion than across the

Regular Army.

The 2019 Reserve continuous

attitude survey found that 63 per cent

of part-time troops are in high spirits,

compared with just 44 per cent of the

full-time contingent.

Elsewhere, the study recorded

growing satisfaction with weekend

training and the annual bounty, which

currently stands at £440 in the first

year to £1,742 by year five.

Almost three quarters of

respondents said they are happy with

this financial incentive.

Director Reserves, Maj Gen Stephen

Potter, said he was “generally

very positive” about the results –

particularly the fact that nine out of

ten Reservists feel proud to serve.

“That’s probably about as high as

those figures are ever going to get so

we can’t be unhappy about that,” the

senior officer added.

Meanwhile, just a third of

respondents said they were treated as

equals by Regular personnel.

Maj Gen Potter conceded this was

an area of concern.

“Yet if you look at the Armed Forces

continuous attitude survey results, the

Regulars’ view of the Reserve is quite

different, with around 70 per cent

reporting positive views of their part-

time colleagues,” he said.

Although fewer Reserves have been

mobilised since 2015, 82 per cent of

those who were told the survey they

were satisfied with the operational role

they were given.

Elsewhere, two thirds of officers

and half of other ranks said they

were happy with the standard of their

personal equipment.

Data from the survey will now be

used to shape decisions and policy in a

range of areas including pay, training

and kit.

Survey results are in, and they show a (mostly) happy bunch

We can’t

be unhappy

about that

http://www.soldiermagazine.co.uk AUGUST 2019 11

Around

More than

are content with

weekend training

RESCAS SURVEY

IN BRIEF

are satisfi ed with life in the

Army Reserve in general

69%

are happy with

opportunities for

overseas exercises

Going pair-shaped

Maj Gen Stephen Potter, Director Reserves, on the

future of joint working between Regulars and Reserves...

When it works it’s brilliant, but when it doesn’t it’s usually really bad. These survey results show around half of Reservists

have participated in paired activity. Yet, of those who have, the vast majority were satisfied with the experience and that

shows how useful it is. Some units work fantastically together and really gel. But those who are geographically

dispersed or have different kit and roles need to get creative about it. The main problem is there is no template

saying how much and what sort of paired training should be completed. That’s something I’m working on.

IN NUMBERS

proportion

of surveys

that

were

returned

feel proud to be part

of the Service

Less than half

are happy with expense

allowances

Life as a Reservist:

feel

valued

by

Regulars

Picture: Peter Davies

10-11-sol-aug.indd 2 25/07/2019 14: