Friday 11 July 2014

"Teachers-to-troops scheme attracts 102 recruits"

From the BBC:

A £2m scheme to fast-track ex-teachers to the frontline has sent 41 trainees to England's army bases in its first year. A further 61 trainees will start in September on the Teachers to Troops programme which offers two years' on-the-job training for ex-teachers. Trainees are paid a £12,000-£16,000 yearly salary.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said entry requirements were deliberately high to ensure top-quality recruits. Candidates on the officer programme need GCSEs at grade C in English and maths and a degree in an academic subject. Would-be squaddies need a science GCSE.

An MoD spokesman said: "We expect the Teachers to Troops programme to go from strength to strength and train exceptional soldiers for many years. Ex-teachers have invaluable skills and experiences to bring in to the armed forces. They know how to earn respect, motivate and communicate.

"As long as they don't start throwing bits of chalk at the enemy or asking them to sit down and be quiet, they'll be fine."

6 comments:

Sackerson said...

Plus food, accommodation and the chance - finally! - to give someone what for.

Sackerson said...

P.S. current pay scale: http://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/Rates_of_pay_Soldier.pdf

A K Haart said...

I'm all for it. At least battles will be properly organised with no firing before the bell goes.

Anonymous said...

Would like to see them try this with MP's next...please.

Mark Wadsworth said...

S, army pay is not great is it, but you get board and lodging.

AKH, but that only works if the other side are ex-teachers as well.

PC, yes, if MPs vote in favour of a war against somebody, then their names should go into a hat, and then a few of them get sent to the front line.

Bayard said...

"PC, yes, if MPs vote in favour of a war against somebody, then their names should go into a hat, and then a few of them get sent to the front line."

Better still if the PM gets to lead from the front, like George II.