What is recruitment?
Recruitment is the selection of the best qualified person for a certain job. The process of recruitment includes analysing the requirements of a job, attracting people to the job, interviewing applicants, selection of applicants and integrating the person into the organisation.
Recruitment in WWI
During the First World War men were recruited to join their country's army to battle in the war. The more man power each army had, the stronger their forces were. Giving them an advantage over their rivals. Recruitment was a key asset to the war, as power was desired by all nations.
Recruitment is the selection of the best qualified person for a certain job. The process of recruitment includes analysing the requirements of a job, attracting people to the job, interviewing applicants, selection of applicants and integrating the person into the organisation.
Recruitment in WWI
During the First World War men were recruited to join their country's army to battle in the war. The more man power each army had, the stronger their forces were. Giving them an advantage over their rivals. Recruitment was a key asset to the war, as power was desired by all nations.
Britian
Prior to the Outbreak of War
Britain had a moderate sized army of 20 divisions. Prior to the war most of the British army was overseas defending the empire. In August 1914, when the German declared war, the British army assumed that voluntary enrolment to their army would be at a rate of 100 000 per month.
During the Outbreak of War
In 1914 Lord Kitchener introduced voluntary enlistment to expand the British forces. Recruiting committees were stationed across the country encouraging men to join the war. Setting a high physical standards so that they would only have an elite team of men. These high physical standards were gradually removed as more men were required. The London Parliamentary Recruiting Committee stated that there were only three types of men. Who hear the call and obey, those who delay and the others. By January 1915 over 3.4 million men joined the British army. As competition entered the ranks became tough. The number of men dramatically dropped making recruitment campaigns become more radical. With the creation of Propaganda posters to shame men into joining the war and increased compulsory military service throughout 1915.
Men who volunteered to join the Great War as the idea of war was romanticised by ideas that it would be an adventure, acceptance of one’s duty to defend their King, country and empire, it was seen as an escape from dreary existence and it provided a full time job. Enlistment to the war was also due to factors of peer pressure, a desire to impress ladies and they thought the war would be over by Christmas. Their perceptions were changed by the horrific reality of the war.
2,466,719 men volunteered to join the British army between August 1914 and December 1915. The number of troops were insufficient to continue with such strength which would enable them to fight in a modern industrialised war.
The rapid growth of the British forces in 1914-1915 was a great act. of national improvisation which contributed to Britain’s first mass citizen army and the biggest single organisation in British history at the time.
Military Service Act
The first military service act was created in January 1916. Which was conscription for men who were of military age. The military service act then expanded to married men on 25 May 1916. The act helped increase the number of troops apart of the British army.
Types of Service
The British army offered four different types of services. These included, regular army, special reserve, territorial force and group scheme (derby scheme).
Britain had a moderate sized army of 20 divisions. Prior to the war most of the British army was overseas defending the empire. In August 1914, when the German declared war, the British army assumed that voluntary enrolment to their army would be at a rate of 100 000 per month.
During the Outbreak of War
In 1914 Lord Kitchener introduced voluntary enlistment to expand the British forces. Recruiting committees were stationed across the country encouraging men to join the war. Setting a high physical standards so that they would only have an elite team of men. These high physical standards were gradually removed as more men were required. The London Parliamentary Recruiting Committee stated that there were only three types of men. Who hear the call and obey, those who delay and the others. By January 1915 over 3.4 million men joined the British army. As competition entered the ranks became tough. The number of men dramatically dropped making recruitment campaigns become more radical. With the creation of Propaganda posters to shame men into joining the war and increased compulsory military service throughout 1915.
Men who volunteered to join the Great War as the idea of war was romanticised by ideas that it would be an adventure, acceptance of one’s duty to defend their King, country and empire, it was seen as an escape from dreary existence and it provided a full time job. Enlistment to the war was also due to factors of peer pressure, a desire to impress ladies and they thought the war would be over by Christmas. Their perceptions were changed by the horrific reality of the war.
2,466,719 men volunteered to join the British army between August 1914 and December 1915. The number of troops were insufficient to continue with such strength which would enable them to fight in a modern industrialised war.
The rapid growth of the British forces in 1914-1915 was a great act. of national improvisation which contributed to Britain’s first mass citizen army and the biggest single organisation in British history at the time.
Military Service Act
The first military service act was created in January 1916. Which was conscription for men who were of military age. The military service act then expanded to married men on 25 May 1916. The act helped increase the number of troops apart of the British army.
Types of Service
The British army offered four different types of services. These included, regular army, special reserve, territorial force and group scheme (derby scheme).
- Regular Army: To enlist to the regular army standard terms had to be passed. Men who wished to join had to passed physical test and was eager to enlist for a certain number of years. The recruit had to be 5 feet 3 inches or taller and aged 18 to 38. If these requirements were met then he would be able to join at the Regimental Depot or at a recruiting office. Given the choice over the regiment he was assigned to. After serving seven years, men were put in the army reserve. When the First World War was declared, men were taking from reserve. Although it was still possible to join the regular army on the standard terms. In addition, under Kitchener’s instructions in August 1914, “short service” was put in place. Meaning a man could serve three years or the duration of the war, whichever was longer. The newer recruits still had of the choice over the regiment they joined and still had to meet the physical requirements.
- Special Reserve: Provided a part time military service. Enlistments into the special reserve remained open when the outbreak of war began, but the was mobilised and its men were on full time service
- Territorial Force: Provides men with the opportunity to join the army part time. The territorial units mostly consisted of infantry regiments and each of the Corps (artillery, engineers, medical, services and ordnance) were formed. Enlistment remained open into the territorial force when the war began, but was mobilised and its men were put on full time service. Anyone who join after the beginning of the war, they were expected to sign the “Imperial Service Obligation”, giving the army powers to send them overseas of transfer them to different territorial force units.
- Group Scheme: It was visible that voluntary rates were declining. As the war was expanding the number of men enlisting also needed to rise too. The government passed the National Registration Act on July 15, 1915. Stimulating recruitment and to discover the number of men aged 15 to 65 interested in each trade. Results from the census were available September 1915. October 11,1915, Lord Derby, was delegated Director General of Recruiting. Within the following five days, the group scheme, for raising the number. Becoming the halfway mark to conscription.
Kitchener, the minister of the war was featured on early war recruitment posters to encourage men to join the war.
http://ww1facts.net/people/conscription/
http://ww1facts.net/people/conscription/
Germany
During the 1900’s Germany’s army was recognised as the world’s greatest. With excellent organisation disciplined and there was also excellence in the Prussian officer classes. In 1914 the German army had 94 divisions and millions in reservists. Recruitment wasn’t a concern for the German army as conscription was already enforced and accepted into daily life for decades. Joining the German military traditional part of life. Men began part time training at the age of 17, followed by full time training at the age of 20, then serve at least 4-5 years in first reserve and for the remainder of their service in the second reserve until they reached the age of 45. When the Great War broke out on the Western Front, putting together a group of troops was no trouble for the German army.
Throughout the course of the war the German army was able to quickly expand their forces. By 1916 their military expanded to 5.3 million
Like their rivals Britain, German men believed the war would be an adventure, a chance to defend their country, full time work and were also convinced that the war would be over by Christmas.
Throughout the course of the war the German army was able to quickly expand their forces. By 1916 their military expanded to 5.3 million
Like their rivals Britain, German men believed the war would be an adventure, a chance to defend their country, full time work and were also convinced that the war would be over by Christmas.
This image shows a perspective that German troops were excited about the war. Emphasising soldiers response to fighting in the Great War.
‘World War One: From Sarajevo to Versailles’
‘World War One: From Sarajevo to Versailles’
"Help Us Win!"
This poster with hopes to entice soldiers and reduce negative attitudes towards conscription. Calling to citizens to "Help Us Win!".
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.earthstation1.com/Warposters/jckaelin/Help_Us_Win!_jk.jpg&imgrefurl=
This poster with hopes to entice soldiers and reduce negative attitudes towards conscription. Calling to citizens to "Help Us Win!".
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.earthstation1.com/Warposters/jckaelin/Help_Us_Win!_jk.jpg&imgrefurl=