The shooting attack in Munich continues to lead the news this morning.Police now say a gunman responsible for a mass shooting in the German city appears to have been acting alone. Elsewhere, there is reporting on the opening up of close ground combat roles to women, and reserve recruitment.
FEMALE SOLDIERS
The Telegraph reports that an Army reservist regiment headquartered in Scotland will be the first in the UK to offer ground close combat roles to women. According to the article, the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry (SNIY), based in Edinburgh, will make the new positions available from November, following the announcement earlier this month that the ban would be lifted. It says the Army will review the new SNIY ground close combat troops after six months before rolling the offer out across the Royal Armed Corps, of which the regiment forms part.
An Army spokesman said:
This move by the MOD to allow women to apply for employment in all jobs in the British Army – and Royal Marines and RAF Regiment – means that we are able to maximise talent and choice, both for women who already serve and new applicants. We always strive to be at the cutting edge of training and will be able to offer young men and now young women, a chance to train and serve in exciting and varied roles.
ARMY RESERVE RECRUITMENT
The Times reports on Army reserve recruitment targets following a report written by the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association External Scrutiny Team.
An MOD Spokesperson said:
Army reserve numbers have increased by 9 per cent in the past 12 months and we are already ahead of our target for the end of this financial year. We are fully committed to meeting the target of 30,000 by April 2019.
IMAGE OF THE DAY
The evening followed the format of a formal reception and included the The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas, The Band of the Staffordshire & West Midlands Army Cadet Force, The Pipes and Drums of the Royal Corps of Signals and the Queens Gurkha Signals Dancers and finally a Beating the Retreat.
Pictured: The Queens Gurkha Signals Dancers
Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright 2016