British army recruitment shortfalls may be symptom of changing times

A British Army officer in Helmand province, Afghanistan. It has been five years since UK operations ceased in the country. Photograph: Ben Birchall/PAA retreat from controversial conflicts such as Iraq and Afghanistan, a relatively buoyant economy and young people increasingly unwilling or unready to enlist are amongst the reasons why the British army suffers from shortfalls in numbers of as much as 20% or even 30% in some infantry regiments.It is a problem that reflects poorly on those running