British Army allowing soldiers sacked for theft, fighting and failing drugs tests to rejoin amid manning crisis
DEFENCE chiefs facing a troops crisis are allowing sacked squaddies to rejoin.
Those fired for theft, fighting, failing drug tests or going Awol will be reconsidered.
Soldiers discharged on physical or mental health grounds could be let back — and keep any compensation.
The offer also applies to any who took redundancy.
But those discharged for taking heroin or for selling drugs to other soldiers remain barred.
The Army’s website says each re-joiner will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
It is 3,000 soldiers understrength and more are leaving than joining.
Defence chiefs spent more than £70million on recruitment drives from 2019-21.
And the rejoining age was recently raised to 57 from 52.
But ex-military intelligence officer Col Philip Ingram said the move “smacks of desperation”.
He added: “The MoD needs to look at why retaining people is so difficult.
“Poor food, accommodation, poorly serviced garrison towns, and having to fill in for higher-paid public servants will all be factors.”
The Army insisted: “We continue to have sufficient numbers to meet operational need.”