This is being done to improve its earlier perception of being intolerant to multicultural recruits, said director of recruiting, Army Commodore Tim Barrett.
Giving further details, Barrett said that an advertisement campaign will be launched from July that will include invitations from the non-English-speaking defense members summoning others to join the army.
“We are looking particularly at Indian and Arabic communities. We are preparing a multicultural recruitment strategy, part of which is an advertising campaign, but more importantly we want to make sure that when they do join we can accommodate their particular cultural and religious needs,” Barrett clarified.
He also revealed that special prayer rooms will be provided for the recruits at army barracks as well as on navy ships to help practice their respective religious beliefs while on duty.
“Where people wish to practise their religious beliefs and it does not affect operations or safety, we should be making those opportunities available. In a ship it may mean that certain places facing certain directions are set aside,” he confirmed.
