UK Army to Advertise for Recruits Live from Afghanistan

The Territorial Army is broadcasting live advertisements from the combat zone in Afghanistan as part of a recruitment drive billed as the first of its kind.

Each of 17 one-minute advertisements to be broadcast on iTV over the next two weeks will show TA members going about their duties alongside their colleagues in the regular army.

The recruitment drive comes after the government pledged to double the size of the volunteer force from 15,000 to 30,000 by 2018.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to spending an extra £1.8 billion over the next ten years to improve the TA's equipment and training, and will rename them the Reservists.

As the volunteer force is expanding, the regular army's numbers will be cut from 105,000 to 82,000 by 2020, making it the smallest UK army since the 18<sup>th century. Volunteers are expected to take over many of the duties of professionals.

Critics argue that Britain's security may be put at risk by cutting army numbers too drastically, and that small businesses are placed under too great a strain when they have to release employees for extended periods for TA duty.

Follow the TA Live on YouTube here.