Shame on the politicians who have let the Armed Forces deteriorate

SIR – In 1976, aged 16, I joined the Army as a junior leader, after failing the initial medical, as I was underweight and too short, at 97lb and 4ft 11in (“‘Hollowed out’ forces not ready to fight Russia”, report, February 3). The recruiting sergeant told me to come back in three months, which I did, with several coins in my pocket for the weigh-in.

I went on to serve for 35 years in many theatres and with a variety of units before retiring as a major.

My son, who is 6ft 2in, weighs 160lb and rows regularly, wanted to follow in my footsteps. Sadly, he was rejected because he had suffered from asthma (as I had as a lad) over the five years before he applied. He never even got to speak to a serving or retired officer.

With hindsight, I am pleased he chose another career, as governments of all colours have simply drained the lifeblood out of the Army over the past 40 years. Those involved should be ashamed.

Bodmin, Cornwall

SIR – My son spent two years going through the Army recruitment process, which involved two lengthy but successful health appeals. However, due to his dyslexia, he was unable to pass the Army Cognitive Test. No one could fault his determination. He passed every other aspect of the recruitment process and was deemed to be a very good candidate by the senior recruiter.

Before applying, he spent a year at college completing a BTEC level two in Armed Forces preparation. This is viewed as equivalent to basic training and involved training with the Rifle Regiment and others. This qualification isn’t even looked at or taken into account in the recruitment process, which is managed by Capita. He gave up, demoralised and defeated.

I worked as a lecturer in nursing with the Open University, where the entry requirements to study for a bachelor of science degree in nursing were GCSE grade Cs in English and maths or equivalent, and experience as a healthcare support worker. There was no cognitive test for them – and we produced excellent nurses.

How many other potentially good recruits has the Army lost?

Blandford Forum, Dorset

SIR – Outsourced military recruitment is a farce. These companies don’t have the foggiest. The Chief of the Defence Staff must go back to soldiers recruiting soldiers.

Drop the woke nonsense. You have a country to defend, not a nation to appease.

Kemback Bridge, Fife

SIR – The gargantuan sums being squandered on net zero – and having a negligible effect on the world’s climate – need diverting with urgency into defence spending, before we find ourselves in a conflict emergency.