Britain Calls on “Video Game Masters” to Join the Military

▲The British army is short of talent. (Photo/Dazhi Image/Associated Press)

British Defense Secretary Healy’s Call to Action

British Defense Secretary Healy has announced measures to address the shortage of personnel in the British army. He is establishing a new pipeline to recruit talents directly for network defense units, without the physical and other restrictions that apply to other services.

Healey emphasized that the country needs talented individuals, including top gamers and programmers. He pointed out that young people today are often misunderstood as being unwilling to serve the country, but statistics show that over 1 million British nationals have applied to join the military in the past 10 years.

Streamlining the Recruitment Process

Healey has abolished 100 outdated policies that hinder talents from joining the military. He requires each military service to respond to applicants within 10 days, whether they have failed or conditionally passed the review. Applicants will be notified within 30 days of passing the review or a specific training start date.

Targeting Video Game Masters and Drone Operators

Healy believes that video game masters who spend hours playing games like “Call of Duty” may be the kind of talent the cyber force needs. The British army also lacks drone operators, and the Ukrainian battlefield has shown the importance of combining artillery and drones.

Addressing the Shortage of Personnel

The British army faces a shortage of personnel, including sailors for its ships. To improve recruitment and retention rates, the Labor government has announced a salary increase for military personnel, with an average increase of 6%, effective from the current fiscal year 2024-2025.

Relaxing Regulations to Improve Recruitment

The British government has gradually abolished some bans in recent years to improve recruitment rates. For example, soldiers are no longer prohibited from wearing beards, unless it is harmful to safety or affects operational efficiency.

Healey has led the effort to lift or relax some regulations, including restrictions on military service for people with acne or acne. The goal is to make it easier for talented individuals to join the military and serve the country.