An academic and former paratrooper has identified the kind of roles that over 60s might conduct in the event of being called up for war. Last month the Government announced plans to increase the upper age limit of the strategic reserve to 65, meaning the potential for over 60s to be enlisted in the military is now genuine.
The Strategic Reserve consists of a pool of former service personnel with a legal liability to train, be called up and mobilise in times of crisis. Announcing the plans, the Ministry Of Defence claimed the move allowed them to boost the “pool of skilled former military personnel called upon in crises as UK strengthen preparedness.” Former Parachute Regiment Major Andrew Fox, 46, who served for 16 years in the British Army, deploying to Afghanistan, Bosnia, Northern Ireland and the Middle East, believes that there is some logic to the measure.
He said: “If this were to happen, there would obviously be major issues with modernity and currency of skills.
“Modern military equipment has evolved significantly but that said, could former senior officers add value in a planning team? Absolutely.
“In reality, they will be doing specialist jobs in the rear. They are not going to be fixing bayonets and charging enemy trenches.”
The Ministry of Defence said that the decision would allow it to increase the pool of people available to it who can “provide crucial expertise in cyber, medicine, intelligence and communications.”
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Currently, terms of strategic liability differ amongst veterans depending on a wide range of factors.
In addition to increasing the upper age limit, the policy will aim to standardise terms of liability for former service personnel.
Commander Standing Joint Command, Lt General Paul Griffiths, who is leading UK efforts to ensure we are ready to combat the increasing threat, said:
“As the threat to our nation grows, we must ensure our Armed Forces can draw on the numbers and skills required to meet it.
“I fully support these measures, which will give us the widest possible pool of experienced personnel to call upon in times of crisis.
“Our Strategic Reserve represents a wealth of expertise built over years of military and civilian experience – from cyber and intelligence to medicine and communications.
“These reforms will allow us to mobilise that talent rapidly when it matters most, strengthening our readiness and aligning with a similar approach many NATO forces are taking to bolster their own resilience.”