Ignore Armed Forces At Our Peril

[Ciderpress]

I strongly recommend the excellent Guardian Unlimited article which reviews the current crisis that the UK Armed Forces are facing, which serving Generals are now speaking out and about: http://www.modoracle.com/?page=http:...C025EAE1CA7D91

There is a multinational flavour in this; the precepts span across all national Armed Forces. I have placed this in this Forum as it reflects largely UK national Administration failure as a result of political management incompetence (or as some of that political ilk would put it, competence).

There is a very old saying:' It takes 10 years to make a pack of hounds; but 10 minutes to destroy'. Is this a reflection also of how empires wax, and then wane?

[PubFather]

I strongly recommend the excellent Guardian Unlimited article which reviews the current crisis that the UK Armed Forces are facing, which serving Generals are now speaking out and about: http://www.modoracle.com/?page=http:...C025EAE1CA7D91

There is a multinational flavour in this; the precepts span across all national Armed Forces. I have placed this in this Forum as it reflects largely UK national Administration failure as a result of political management incompetence (or as some of that political ilk would put it, competence).

There is a very old saying:' It takes 10 years to make a pack of hounds; but 10 minutes to destroy'. Is this a reflection also of how empires wax, and then wane?

An excellent and interesting account that neatly sums up the concerns of many about the armed forces.

I especially concur with the need to educate the public (and journalists) about the true nature of defence requirements. By and large, defence journalism in the UK is truly appalling, especially in the Tabloids (although not exclusively so).

I also agree that the past procurement follies of the MoD are being paid for now with a vengeance. To paraphrase Lord Drayson - the MoD has for too long been run as a "charity", and an incompetent one at that.

I have long found it strange that BAe seem to be a capable defense company when dealing with the DoD or the Saudis, yet absolute b*ll*cks when it comes to the MoD. Many of the over-budget programs (T45, Astute, MR4 and Typhoon) are primarily BAe operations. They are finally getting their act together - but very late in the day.

[Ironduke]

I haven't read the article yet, but I plan to and further comment later.

[Ray]

Colonel sacked for rebuke over visits to injured
By Sean Rayment, Sunday Telegraph
Last Updated: 12:29am GMT 07/01/2007

A high-flying Army officer has been sacked for rebuking a senior commander who failed to visit injured troops in hospital.

More at

www.telegraph.co.uk/ne...mod207.xml

[Ray]

Mil Covenant.

http://www.army.mod.uk/servingsoldie..._adp5_0_w.html