Details on the average ages, by rank, have been maintained on an annualised basis since 2001. The table provides the details for Officers and Enlisted Personnel.
Average Age by Rank in the PDF as at 31 December 2001 and 6 December 2007
Officers
|
Rank
|
2001
|
2007
|
Increase/ Decrease (years)
|
Lieutenant General
|
60.88
|
60.62
|
-0.24
|
Major General
|
58.66
|
60.11
|
1.45
|
Brigadier General
|
58.20
|
57.49
|
-0.71
|
Colonel
|
55.82
|
56.55
|
0.73
|
Lieutenant Colonel
|
51.78
|
53.28
|
1.50
|
Commandant
|
45.19
|
45.85
|
0.66
|
Captain
|
33.32
|
32.33
|
-0.99
|
Lieutenant
|
24.85
|
24.89
|
0.04
|
Enlisted Personnel
|
Rank
|
2001
|
2007
|
Increase/Decrease (years)
|
Sergeant Major
|
52.30
|
52.74
|
0.44
|
Brigade Quartermaster Sergeant
|
52.18
|
52.81
|
0.63
|
Company Sergeant
|
46.70
|
48.90
|
2.20
|
Company Quartermaster Sergeant
|
48.09
|
49.39
|
1.30
|
Sergeant
|
42.44
|
43.01
|
0.57
|
Cpl
|
36.22
|
36.81
|
0.59
|
Pte
|
31.04
|
32.07
|
1.03
|
Cadet
|
19.82
|
22.80
|
2.98
|
It can be seen from these figures, that since 2001 there has been a small decrease in the average age of Captains and a similar scale increase in the average age of Privates. These ranks together represent approximately 52% of the overall strength of the PDF.
A key element in military life is the need for personnel to maintain a level of fitness for combat readiness. This requirement must be balanced with the need to retain experience and expertise, particularly at managerial level in the Defence Forces.