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glyn · 11-07-2007, 15:01 PM

[quote=S-2;424205]Glyn,

I fear that this is the inevitable product of a professional, all-volunteer force attempting to prosecute a war that demands the full force of both America and the U.K.'s nat'l power.

Agreed.

We seem to believe that we are best served by an all-volunteer force to fully carry the national burden.

The system worked well when there was little trouble abroad, but when it's high intensity action in MORE THAN ONE LOCATION at a time the system is found to be wanting. Larger forces are needed. The UK is using its Territorials to make up some of the shortfall in numbers. I don't know how much longer the MoD can keep wars going on the cheap. The bullet will have to be bitten and facts faced squarely, but I cannot see the current crop of politicos being willing to tackle the problem even though the need for more troops and materiel is increasing. Perhaps they hope the problem will go away of its own accord. Although I would welcome a restoration of National Service it is clear that the majority would not.

As such, for most people it's a choice best avoided simply because they can.

But of course they couldn't under National Service.

Should we be surprised that our servicepeople feel duped while making sacrifices that others don't see as necessary to the common good?

And that is the very heart of the problem. If our own country appears disinterested, and the public are not backing our troops in any meaningful way the troops will leave for pastures new that are better recompensed and risk-free. I am genuinely concerned at the problem.

11-07-2007, 15:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
glyn *Military Professional* Join Date: 09-15-06 Location: Penzance, Cornwall UK Posts: 6,886	[quote=S-2;424205]Glyn, I fear that this is the inevitable product of a professional, all-volunteer force attempting to prosecute a war that demands the full force of both America and the U.K.'s nat'l power. Agreed. We seem to believe that we are best served by an all-volunteer force to fully carry the national burden. The system worked well when there was little trouble abroad, but when it's high intensity action in MORE THAN ONE LOCATION at a time the system is found to be wanting. Larger forces are needed. The UK is using its Territorials to make up some of the shortfall in numbers. I don't know how much longer the MoD can keep wars going on the cheap. The bullet will have to be bitten and facts faced squarely, but I cannot see the current crop of politicos being willing to tackle the problem even though the need for more troops and materiel is increasing. Perhaps they hope the problem will go away of its own accord. Although I would welcome a restoration of National Service it is clear that the majority would not. As such, for most people it's a choice best avoided simply because they can. But of course they couldn't under National Service. Should we be surprised that our servicepeople feel duped while making sacrifices that others don't see as necessary to the common good? And that is the very heart of the problem. If our own country appears disinterested, and the public are not backing our troops in any meaningful way the troops will leave for pastures new that are better recompensed and risk-free. I am genuinely concerned at the problem. __________________ Semper in excretum. Solum profunda variat.