British Army Reserve Force Stretched to the Limit

[RamboLiberal]

http://news.myway.com/top/article/id/384143|top|02-09-2004::05:14|reuters.html

The heavy commitment of Britain's army reserves in Iraq and elsewhere have stretched the part-time force to the limits, the commander of its largest infantry regiment told Reuters.

With some infantrymen expected to leave and others to go into full-time soldiering on their return to the UK, the unit is launching a new drive to recruit part-time soldiers who are willing to go on operations overseas.

In the past, many reservists -- who all have civilian jobs during the week -- believed they would never be sent to war but that has changed in recent years, Lieutenant-Colonel Jeremy Mooney said as his battalion prepared for live firing training on England's south coast.

The Territorial Army (TA), a part-time force originally formed to defend the country from French invasion, has provided some 10,000 troops for operations in the last year and there are not many left, Mooney said.

By coincidence, 10,000 was also the number by which the regular British army was under strength, he said.