The sector consists of the Naval Services, the Royal Air Force, the Army and Civil Services. As a result of contracting out, the proportion of civilian employees has fallen and a further decrease is expected.

There are skill shortages in the defence medical service, airmen aircrew, submariners, and Royal signals.

Employees within the Services serve all over the UK and overseas. Large concentrations of MoD civilian staff are based in London, Bristol, Portsmouth, Glasgow, Gloucester, Bath, Salisbury and Andover.

There are over 70 different types of jobs represented. UK service ranks exist in co-ordination with NATO rank codes.

9% of service personnel are women. Among civilian staff, about 35% are women.

The proportion of ethnic minorities has increased steadily over the last few years and is now 5-6%. The proportion of ethnic minorities officers is still about 2%.

The average age in the regular forces is 30 years for men and 26.7 years for women.

The vast majority of staff are trained. About 8.6% of RAF and 11% of Army full-time employees are untrained. Various training programmes exist. There is an average of 12,000 officers and soldiers undergoing training at any time.