Army email sackings ‘disrespectful’ says leading military service leaver recruiters ForceSelect

Feb. 15, 2011 - PRLog -- ForceSelect, the UK’s leading ex-military recruitment consultancy, believes military personnel deserve to be treated with more respect following news that 38 soldiers were recently informed that they were to be made redundant via email.

The soldiers, including one who is currently serving in Afghanistan, were notified that they would be given a year’s notice to resettle, prompting Defence Secretary Liam Fox and shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy to express their dismay at the news.

ForceSelect has been established to provide soldiers of all ranks with career opportunities when they leave the armed forces and has established a growing portfolio of clients who are committed to recruiting ex-service personnel.

Founder Hugh Andrée said: “I am shocked to hear that anyone serving in the armed forces would be treated like this, particularly in these difficult times when substantial military cuts are already having a detrimental impact on morale. This conduct is nothing short of disrespectful and anyone who chooses to put their life on the line for their country deserves to be treated with a basic level of courtesy which was sadly lacking in this case.”

With the full support of the Ministry of Defence, ForceSelect recently travelled to Afghanistan where directors including Andrée and Andy McNab spoke with SNCOs and Warrant Officers about their opportunities in the civilian world.  Many expressed concern about their futures and life on civvy street.

Andrée added: “ForceSelect continues to strive to educate companies large and small about the benefits of employing military service leavers. We recently organised a familiarisation day at The School of Infantry for business leaders from the private sector in order to explain the benefits of employing ex-military personnel, who are resilient, work well under pressure, are enthusiastic and above all want to work.”

The government recently announced substantial cuts to the armed forces and the Ministry of Defence revealed earlier this year that it is planning to enforce redundancies through its Manning Control Points scheme, with many regular service personnel expected to lose their jobs.

ForceSelect was set up by Hugh Andrée in response to the lack of advice and support he received when he left the army in 1997 and the visit to Afghanistan gave the team a chance to explain how service leavers can promote their core values and their military skills in a civilian workplace.

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ForceSelect was set up in 2009 by former Army Officer Hugh Andrée to provide military service leavers – currently estimated to be around 22,000 each year – with the best and most appropriate career opportunities within UK businesses.

ForceSelect believes that Armed Forces leavers are efficient, reliable, disciplined, and self-motivated candidates who can contribute positively to Britain’s society and workforce.

All ForceSelect staff have served in the military including Managing Director and former Artillery Officer Lucy Wood; Director, best-selling author and SAS hero Andy McNab DCM MM; and Non-Executive Director and former Chief of General Staff General Sir Michael Jackson GCB CBE DSO DL.

ForceSelect has recently agreed partnership deals with British Gas, UPS and Sainsbury’s. It is keen to sign up with a wide range of large and small businesses across the UK across all business sectors.

For more information, please visit www.forceselect.com