British Army Seeking St. Lucian Recruits

Contact: Rose Marie Harris

Tuesday, July 03, 2001 – A three-member delegation from the British Army is currently on island, on a selection drive to enlist young men and women for the British Army in the near future.   Head of the delegation Major Andrea Mutch says this is just the first leg of a recruitment drive that began late last year.  

“We are actually looking at the facilities and opportunities available here in Saint Lucia so that at the end of the year – October or November - we can return and actually carry out the complete selection process.  And that selection process will pretty much mirror the tests and selection interviews that individuals need to go through if they came across to England to join the British Army and the sort of things that people would be doing if they were successful.  They would be required to undergo a physical test, media examination etc.,” Major Mutch said.

It was early this year that the Government of Saint Lucia and officials of the British government held dialogue on this joint partnership and already 1400 persons from Saint Lucia with a keen interest have written to the British Army in England. 

“We have responded to those individuals and asked them if they would provide us with certain amount of information to confirm whether or not they are the right age, that they have no outstanding criminal convictions, but unfortunately to date, we have only received sixty six responses and it is very important that we receive all the responses,” added Major Mutch.

Persons selected will be provided with a pass and a commitment of a job offer on arrival in Britain.   They will also receive specifications for their arrival in England.   The new recruits will then spend five days in England for acclimatisation purposes before beginning training the following week at the base.    The initial training will be twelve weeks and upon completion the individual will then move on to specialist training.  

“We would hope that they would do an engagement for four years but they certainly have the opportunity to spend twenty two years with the Army.  It’s a good career opportunity for any young person who is interested,” the major added.

Persons who qualify for recruitment to the British Army must be healthy, must be below a certain age depending on their career interest and must qualify for the career.    “Persons must not be put off if they don’t have academic qualifications.  What we are looking for are fit and healthy young people who want to have an exciting career in the army,” Major Mutch said.

Similar selection processes have already been held in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Fiji.

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