From a total of 507 persons who were offered appointments following the recent recruitment competition, 491 accepted the offer and 16 declined. Thirty (6 per cent) of the candidates who accepted appointments were discharged from the Defence Forces during the early stages of training and have since been replaced. A further 39 recruits will be enlisted about August, 1994 to bring the total intake up to 500. If further vacancies arise in 1994 they will be filled from among the candidates who were found suitable for appointment but who were not placed high enough in order of merit to be selected for one of the available vacancies.
The criteria used by the Recruit Selection Boards in assessing candidates were general suitability in terms of motivation, communication skills and aptitude for group work; physical suitability as evidence by sporting interests and hobbies; and general intelligence as indicated by educational attainments or otherwise. Under general suitabilty favourable consideration was given to the voluntary service of members of the FCA. About 64 per cent of the successful applicants were members of the FCA. Apart from the favourable consideration given to members of the FCA, all applications were considered on an equal basis. The military authorities have indicated that the successful candidates are of a very satisfactory standard.
