Open up the Reserve forces to retired Gurkhas - Nick Harvey

Liberal Democrat MP and former Armed Forces Minister Nick Harvey has today renewed his call to open up the Reserve forces to retired Gurkhas.

Nick's comments come as the final round of Army redundancies were announced yesterday. The Army is cutting the number of regulars from 102,000 in 2010 to 82,000 by 2017, while integrating a planned 30,000 Reserves. The losses announced include hundreds of Gurkhas.

As Nepalese citizens, the well-respected Gurkhas do not currently have a Reserve liability, unlike other soldiers. As part of efforts to build a new, rejuvenated Reserve force, Nick has previous called on the Ministry of Defence to recognise the Gurkhas' loyal service and skills and recruit them automatically.

Commenting, Nick Harvey MP said:

"Now is the right time to let Gurkhas lead the way in building our Future Reserve forces. As one of the most well-respected and revered parts of our Army, it's illogical that we don't routinely recruit them into the Reserves.

"The Reserves are in need of a huge culture shift and recruitment drive if we are to successfully incorporate them into the future shape of the Army. We should not waste the exceptional talents of those Gurkhas receiving redundancy notice.

"How better to build on the Gurkhas' legacy in the Army than extending the same Reserve Liability as other soldiers receive, and offering them the possibility of a second Army career as a Reservist?

"We need a stronger Army Reserve than ever before. The Gurkhas are key to its rejuvenation - the MoD must go further to retain their unique skills."