Level Up: The UK Army Recruits Gaming Pros to Join the Ranks
The UK Calls on “Video Game Masters” to Join the Army
British Defense Secretary Seeks to Recruit Talents for Cyber Defense Units
British Defense Secretary John Healey has announced measures to solve the problem of insufficient personnel in the British Army. He is establishing new channels to recruit talents directly for cyber defense units without being restricted by physical conditions and other conditions that are generally applicable to other branches of the military.
“If You’re a Top Gamer or Programmer, the Country Needs You”
Healey emphasized that the country needs talents like top gamers or programmers to join the army. He pointed out that statistics show that in the past 10 years, the number of British citizens who applied to join the army exceeded 1 million, but as many as 3 out of 4 people gave up during the process due to cumbersome and time-consuming administrative procedures.
Abolishing Outdated Policies to Attract Talents
Healey has abolished as many as 100 outdated policies that hinder talent from joining the military. He has also required each branch of the military to give applicants a clear answer within 10 days whether they have failed or passed the review conditionally. Those who have passed the review will be informed of the specific training start date within 30 days.
Video Game Experts and Drone Operators Needed
Healey mentioned that video game experts who spend hours playing “Call of Duty” may be exactly what cyber forces need. The British army also lacks drone operators, and the Ukrainian battlefield has shown how much casualties can be caused by combining artillery and drones.
Cybersecurity Threats and Pay Increase for Military Personnel
Healey also mentioned that malicious actors suspected of being related to Russia have attempted to hack into the UK’s core security and defense systems a total of about 90,000 times in the past two years. To improve recruitment and retention rates, the Labour government has announced a pay increase for military personnel, with an average increase of 6%, which will take effect from the current 2024-2025 fiscal year and will be retroactive to April 1, the beginning of the fiscal year.
Relaxing Regulations to Attract More Recruits
The British government has gradually abolished some bans in recent years to increase the recruitment rate. For example, it no longer prohibits soldiers from growing beards, provided that they are trimmed neatly and kept clean, unless it is harmful to safety or affects operational efficiency. Healey has also led efforts to remove or relax some regulations, including restrictions on military service for people with pimples or acne.