Armed forces recruitment in Great Britain

Abstract

This paper focuses on the interaction between government defence objectives and budget policy. By developing a theory of recruit behaviour and estimating the associated recruitment function, the study examines how alternative defence manpower requirements might be met and indicates the budgetary implications of this. The recruit theory is derived from the general theory of occupational choice and function estimation is by ordinary least squares regression techniques. The budget analysis is carried out in a simulation exercise which combines the supply analysis with manpower requirement specifications. The exercise well illustrates the defence manningbudget cost trade-off and the implications of institutional constraints such as sole reliance upon volunteer recruitment and the operation of a wages and incomes policy. Show more