This paper examines the perceptions that British Hindus of Indian origin have of the British Armed Forces. It draws on a survey of 300 Hindus who reside in the Midlands and South-East of England, covering cities such as Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Derby, and London. The majority of Hindus in Britain are of Indian origin. Current estimates reveal that there are approximately half a million Hindus in Britain. However, despite making up nearly 1% of the population, latest figures show that Hindu representation in the total UK Armed Forces is only 0.05%. This is a very minute number, and the Ministry of Defence has been very active in recognizing the need to improve upon such a miserly figure. The desire to boost minority recruitment has been given further impetus by constant accusations of racial discrimination levelled at the Forces, particularly the perceived linkage that there appears to exist between racism and the desire of ethnic minorities to join the Forces. The findings in this survey indicate: a very low inclination on the part of Hindus to join the British Armed Forces; a lack of knowledge about Service careers; the attitude that higher education poses a bigger barrier than racism as to why minorities were not joining the Armed Forces; and a lack of awareness of advancements made by the Forces to enhance equal opportunities.
