FIJI has an aging military force, says Defence, National Security and Immigration Minister Timoci Natuva.
Mr Natuva said this was the reason the Republic of Fiji Military Forces had been undertaking recruitment drives.
However, he confirmed these recruitments did not mean that all would make the regular force.
Mr Natuva said the recruitment drives gave some civilians opportunities to go on peacekeeping missions and earn $44,000 in 12 months, which they wouldn’t be able to do in a year if they remained civilians.
“Yes, we have an aging force, people who are 55 and can no longer serve and we’re just replacing the old people like me, I was recruited in ’76, all my recruits are no longer serving,” Mr Natuva said.
He said the recruitment drive also gave women who specialised in different fields an opportunity to join the army, adding there was also a need to have the numbers to facilitate requests for peacekeeping missions.
“We should always have the numbers to facilitate the needs. Currently we have half who are regular officers and another half who are territorial forces and now we’re looking at turnaround for TF’s and there are more opportunities for women and that’s why we’re looking for more women recruits specialised in some areas.
“It’s also an opportunity for employment; you can be a farmer, or small micro businessman and a TF and go to serve for 12 months, the allowance for them at the moment is about $F44,000, that is allowance alone. That money can be used to start another business, we recruit them so they can start small businesses because if they stay as civilians, they won’t be able to earn this money,” Mr Natuva said.
