Join the Army and see the world. It used to be an attractive recruitment slogan in the days when most people led dull lives and didn't travel much.

But for today's fulfilled and well-travelled youngsters, the regimented life of the Army doesn't seem nearly as seductive.

That is why the Army is going on a big recruitment drive in the South-East, including Sussex, to attract new recruits.

There are still benefits including training, expenses and reasonable wages. These will be advertised as Army careers officers compete with businesses and colleges.

It is vital for Britain because the country has to be defended by the Armed Forces in an increasingly dangerous world.

The country will be vulnerable unless the Army can reach its national target of 15,000 recruits a year and it has been falling well short of that.

What the Army has to do is rethink its selling points so they will appeal more to the youngsters of today rather than those of 20 or 30 years ago.

One of them is that the Army was traditionally a male preserve but that applies no longer.

Another is that today's soldiers are trained in many skills which will serve them well when they eventually retire.

What is more, there is still a good chance they will see the world.