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<p>It is not true that a fifth of Armed Forces personnel are too unfit to fight. Approximately
80% of UK Armed Forces personnel are Medically Fully Deployable, however 90% could
deploy with some personnel subject to a medical risk assessment; 98% of UK Armed Forces
personnel are currently employable within the Ministry of Defence (MOD).</p><p>Service
personnel can be non-deployable for various reasons which include failing a fitness
test, but also those identified as being Wounded, Injured and Sick (WIS) which provides
access to the Defence Recovery Capability, enabling an effective return to duty or
transition to a properly supported and appropriately skilled civilian life.</p><p>The
military has programmes that provide long-term support and change behaviour strategies
to address poor lifestyle choices and weight management issues. If personnel fail
a fitness test, they are put on a targeted programme to help them back to the required
levels. The MOD has trialled the Defence Occupational Fitness Programme (DOFit) which
provides evidence-based courses, supported by Public Health England, aimed at helping
individuals return to optimal fitness. These can be employed post-injury, or in the
event of someone not being able to complete the fitness test to a satisfactory standard.
Following completion of the DOFit trial the programme has been implemented by the
Royal Navy and the Army.</p>
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