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Whatever the Army's size, the last 10 per cent seems always to be a challenge. The detailed reasons change over the years, but for an all-volunteer, professional Army the underlying problem will always be to persuade enough people that the rewards are worth the sacrifices: the risk of death on operations; the subordination of self to the team and the mission; and the awful responsibility of the legal right and duty to fight and if necessary kill according to one's orders.

This is relatively easy when people believe that the reward is the survival of their society, but much harder when there is no obvious threat. From the end of the Cold War the problem has not been just the lack of a threat, and the solution is not just a matter of good advertising.

Success on operations, demonstrably being a force for good in the world, are absolutely vital, but despite continuous operational success - the Gulf war, Bosnia, and a growing variety of peacekeeping operations - through the Nineties the Army was not recruiting or retaining enough soldiers. This caused us to examine closely the image we present and how close we are to society and people's aspirations and expectations.

This has led to many high-profile initiatives: stamping out sexism, racism, bullying and initiation rites have all been the subjects of action by the Army's highest commanders. While none of these ills were endemic, let alone epidemic, they were sufficiently widespread to demand a robust approach which is widely regarded as effective and exemplary.

Maintaining the improvement depends on keeping up this programme of change, not quick fixes or good advertising. The Army's greatest asset continues to be operational success. Kosovo, East Timor and Sierra Leone are successes of which all soldiers - and potential recruits - are justly proud.
But we also recognise the need to address the aspirations of our soldiers and their families if we are to retain them. If they are to invest their lives, the Army - and the nation - must make it worthwhile. Full manning is never easy in peacetime - but peace in places like Sierra Leone depends on us achieving it: and with the nation's support we will.