The British Army of the future will rely on a symbiotic relationship between people and technology, its head of personnel announced at the Defence Security and Equipment International (DSEI) today.
At DSEI this week the Director for Personnel, Major General Paul Griffiths, and his team spoke about our people and the Army’s Future Soldier Strategy that will continue to put people first whilst embracing new technologies and equipment.
Fundamentally, we must make every member of the Army as good as they can possibly be in order to increase their individual and our collective lethality. Major General Paul Griffiths
He outlined the changes being introduced to the formation of the Army to ensure that it can meet the challenges of constant competition and maintain its high-end warfighting capability.
He said: “Fundamentally, we must make every member of the Army as good as they can possibly be in order to increase their individual and our collective lethality.”
The Army has always had its people at its centre and the Future Soldier concept will research and enhance three main areas of the British Army’s people: their physical, psychological and teamworking performance.
Future Soldier will see us make the best use of our people by investing in the skills needed for the future whilst maximizing our existing talent.
Assembled guests also heard about Project Castle from the Project Director, Brigadier James Cook. The project will offer personnel greater opportunities and attractive career pathways to ensure that our people have the knowledge, skills and experience that ensure we have the right talent in the right place at the right time.
Brigadier James Cook said: “Under Future Soldier, the Army will be leaner, lighter and faster to respond and therefore we need a flexible career structure that can respond quickly to changing requirements.”
Under Future Soldier, the Army will be leaner, lighter and faster to respond and therefore we need a flexible career structure that can respond quickly to changing requirements. Brigadier James Cook
The project will develop modern, versatile career paths whilst understanding the skills and talents of individuals across the service so that they can be put on task, via a flexible career structure.
Brigadier Chris Coles spoke about how the Army will close the diversity gap with the forthcoming publication of the Army’s Organisational Culture Framework.
It will examine how we can embed a culture that develops teamwork and recognise and value everyone’s contribution.
Major General Paul Griffiths, Director of Personnel for the British Army, summarised by saying: “Future wars will be won, not by those with the most advanced technology, but by those who most effectively integrate technology with their people.”