Elite Commandos of the Royal Navy are to be given a £20,000 incentive to not leave the service, after the Armed Forces Pay Review Body’s (AFPRB) findings.
The AFPRB has agreed the bonus after considering the evidence of the current and forecast manning shortfalls and ‘the impact the growing deficit is having on the Corps’ ability to deliver’ its defence tasks.
The vigorous fitness standards and demanding recruit training programme – combined with poor retention has seen the Royal Marines dip 20% below their required numbers at Marine rank.
A briefing note shared to Navy personnel goes on to say that the high number of Marines leaving (voluntary outflow) at their first opportunity, ‘has been at historically high levels over the last three years’.
This ‘financial retention Incentive’ has now been agreed by bosses to help stem the huge outflow of its trained personnel.
All those between the rank of Marine and Corporal with a minimum of four and a half years, to five years’ service are eligible to receive the cash incentive.
Anyone who receives the cash incentive would be required to serve for at least a further four years before they could leave the service.
Figures released by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) shows that it is not only the Royal Marines who are struggling to keep their best, the British Armed Forces has a retention crisis, not a recruiting one.
It had just been announced that the Royal Marines Commandos are to get a brand-new uniform under the ‘most significant transformation and rebranding programme launched since World War 2’.
Only last year, former veterans and qualified Marines were offered a £10,000 ‘golden hello’ to re-enlist.
Royal Navy bosses have said that this newest financial retention incentive is part of a ‘wider comprehensive manpower recovery campaign’.
Picture: Ministry of Defence/Crown Copyright