British Army rolls out welcome pack initiative for new recruits with watches and notebooks

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed it has begun a programme of sending welcome packs, containing items it says are essential to army life, to new recruits joining the British Army.

Since June, 2,900 packs have been sent ahead of recruits reporting for duty at Phase One training establishments.

Alongside a welcome letter from the Army’s head of recruitment, the pack also contains a notebook and pen, and a new Casio watch – valued at around £20.

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The MOD would not say how much the initiative costs, but did confirm it is not a pilot scheme and that the items in the pack are procured through normal processes.

It is understood enough items have been purchased for all the recruits expected to join the army through to the end of 2027.

Liz Hancock’s son, Joseph, is imminently joining the Army Foundation College and received a welcome pack recently.

She said it arrived unexpectedly, and that it had given her son a boost ahead of joining the Army.

"It’s recognition from the Army of the hard work Joseph put in to navigating the application process, which took nine months," Mrs Hancock said.

She added: "I think the initiative helps young recruits to remember that they're already part of the British Army family, and fills what can be a six-month gap between securing a place and starting at somewhere like the Army Foundation College in Harrogate."

The pack is officially called the Pre-Basic Training Welcome Pack and is only being sent to new recruits joining the Army as regular soldiers.

Reservists and those joining the Army as officers are not receiving the items.

The Casio F-91W watch contained in the pack retails for around £20 and is considered a classic digital watch, durable and smart.

The MOD describes the watch as an "approved" model, with a source confirming to BFBS Forces News that the idea behind supplying recruits with it is that it reduces some of the costs associated with joining the Army.

The scheme was rolled out in time for those joining the Army throughout summer intakes.

Those starting Phase One training in October and November will receive their welcome packs in the coming weeks.

A note from Brigadier Matt Palmer, head of Army recruiting, congratulates the recruit on securing a place in Phase One Army training.

"You should be extremely proud of what you have achieved," the note reads.

In a statement, an Army spokesperson said:

"The welcome pack is a simple way of making sure new soldiers arrive properly prepared for training while reducing some of the expense and uncertainty that comes with joining the Army.

"Around 2,900 packs have been issued since the initiative began this summer, and feedback from recruits has been overwhelmingly positive."