ABSTRACT
The well-known citizen armies exist entirely for defence of the homeland. In Sweden’s and Switzerland’s cases foreign policy is governed by strict neutrality, and the sending of troops outside their own territory is only conceivable as small contingents to the United Nations forces. Britain’s defence posture, largely involved in the support of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation with an ‘army in being’ on the mainland of Europe, seems inappropriate for a citizen army. A decision to raise a home defence force based on the old Yeomanry would have advantages, in respect of regular staff, over an infantry-type organisation. The Royal Armoured Corps (R.A.C.) has only one Volunteer regiment for which to find instructors, which is the Royal Yeomanry Regiment. Since the R.A.C. is better recruited than most arms, and has high-quality men, it could meet a limited demand for permanent staff for a new force much more easily than any other arm.
