Specialist Platoon Gives Recruits A Fighting Chance

A British Army unit that helps recruits stay fit rather than drop out during training has achieved a seven-fold increase in its success rate.

Waterloo Platoon at the Infantry Training Centre (ITC) Catterick is where soldiers are sent when they get injured.

Waterloo Platoon says part of their success has been to stamping out the "Man Up" culture that can destroy a military career before it has even begun.

Preventing injuries has been key to keeping recruits in training, and the Army is keen to tackle the culture where soldiers try to ignore minor injuries.

"If they were to "Man Up" then it has long term effects - It might not be an injury that can be rehabilitated so they end up being discharged"

Waterloo Platoon has made huge improvements in returning recruits to training after injury.

In just two years returnee numbers have risen from around 10% to 75%. At a time of falling recruitment, the Army is very keen to hold on to every new soldier.

Waterloo Platoon Commander, WO2 Bobby Gardner says it is a good feeling to see the recruits reach the end of their training after rehabilitation. 

"The last thing I say to a recruit when he leaves Waterloo to go back into training is that I never want to see you again."