Soldiers sacked for fighting, theft, failing drugs tests and going AWOL can rejoin the Army.
The offer is also open to those medically discharged for physical or mental health reasons, without loss of retirement compensation.
Troops fired for smoking cannabis or testing positive for drugs such as cocaine or amphetamines may be reconsidered – but not those who took heroin or sold drugs.
The ceiling age for soldiers has also been raised from 52 to 57. One critic said: “This smacks of desperation.”
The Army is currently 3,000 troops understrength and the latest government figures show that more troops are leaving the Armed Forces than are joining.
In 2022, 16,000 left the Armed Forces and just 12,000 joined.
It comes after defence chiefs spent more than £70million on recruitment campaigns between 2019 and 2021.
The Army website states: “You can apply to rejoin subject to any time bar or caveat associated with your regulations discharge category. Each re-joiner will be considered on a case by case basis dependent on the nature of the discharge and needs of the Army.”
For troops medically discharged, the website says: “Your details will be reviewed and treated on a case by case basis.” For those who were made redundant, it adds: “If more than two years have elapsed, it is unlikely you will pay anything back.”
Ex-military intelligence officer Col Philip Ingram said: “Recruiting soldiers who have been administratively or medically discharged smacks of desperation. The MoD really needs to look at why retaining people is so difficult. Poor accommodation, poor food, poorly serviced garrison towns, having to fill in for other public servants who are striking when they are already on higher pay than the soldiers… the Army needs to get a grip and its leaders need to lead.”
An Army spokesman said: “The Army re-joiner policy is a long-standing policy. We continue to have sufficient numbers to meet operational need.”
