Dad's army? Soldiers' upper age limit raised to 52 to widen recruitment pool

The Army Reserve’s upper age limit has been raised by nine years.

17:56 14 November 2014

The Army Reserve’s upper age limit has been raised from 43 to 52 in an attempt to widen the recruitment pool.

A spokeswoman said: "We make no apology for revising the age requirements for ex-regular soldiers to join the Reserves and share their wealth of knowledge and expertise.”

"All recruits have to meet strict fitness requirements, or could face discharge."

However, Conservative MP John Baron described plans to replace 20,000 regular troops with 30,000 reservists as a "shambles".

"These latest figures confirm that plans to replace 20,000 regulars with 30,000 reservists are a shambles.

"Government attempts to get our defence on the cheap are on the ropes."

Minister for Reserves Julian Brazier defended the move saying: "Reservists make a tremendous and growing contribution to our armed forces, from assisting in the continuing mission in Afghanistan, the fight against Ebola, and closer to home, providing assistance to civil authorities, such as flooding relief earlier this year.

"We have always recognised that reinvigorating our Reserve Forces would not be achieved overnight. However, one year into our five-year plan we are making steady progress and seeing increased numbers joining the Reserves."