Do you remember all those protesters demanding to know why we were in Iraq instead of Afghanistan?Here's one reason why...
By Sean Rayment, The Telegraph's Defence Correspondent
A top level report ordered by General Sir Richard Dannatt, the chief of the general staff, warns that pressure on the Army is being "compounded" by the growing number of troops wounded in Afghanistan.
In an astonishing admission the report also reveals that the Army does not have accurate figures for the number of seriously injured soldiers within its ranks and admits that many are not receiving the appropriate medical support.
Details of the document can be disclosed as the Ministry of Defence (MoD) named three soldiers killed in a multiple improvised explosive attack close to Sangin on Thursday.Captain Mark Hale, 42, Rifleman Daniel Wild, 19, both of the 2nd battalion the Rifles and Lance Bombardier Matthew Hatton, 23, of 40th Regiment Royal Artillery, were killed in two separate explosions.
Their deaths brought to 199 the number of British troops killed in Afghanistan since 2001.
The document, entitled the Chief of the General Staff's Briefing Team Report, also warns that "soldiers' morale and operational effectiveness" is being undermined by a shortage of vital equipment and that troops of all ranks are suffering from "widespread professional dissatisfaction".
* The Army has great concern over long-term care of wounded;It also states that commanders are increasingly worried that they are being asked "to do too much with too few resources".
* There is widespread concern that soldiers are waiting too long for treatment for non-operational injuries;
* Families fear returning troops are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder;
* Thousands of soldiers are not fit for operations;
* Every unit is carrying "gaps" in officer numbers;
* Increases in pre-deployment training are leading to tour lengths of 10-12 months;
* Bureaucracy is increasing across all levels of the Army;
* Territorial Army (TA) soldiers can earn more working shifts in Starbucks;
* It is "not unusual" for TA pay to be delayed by six to eights months;
* The Treasury has consistently refused to give soldiers on operations a tax-free allowance.
(More...)
17 comments:
I'm not sure some readers would notice that this in the UK's Army.
this is sad, when I trained with these guys, they were a lot better than the American Army in many ways. They were more professional and tended to stay in the service longer.
I guess it's like a lot of things...they change. Too bad.
If the British politicians don't yet realize what a tragic mission this is, the troops certainly do.
Wow. Not much surprises me now a days. But this did. It figures though, should have figured this. It's sad.
That's the worst. Sending men into harms way and not giving them the proper support. Sort of like rubbing salt in the wound.
Tricia, if you think we're sad, imagine how those poor men and women feel. They're in a hellhole like Afghanistan because the Left used Iraq to push the Republicans out of power.
The blood of the soldiers, now in their PROPER war, are on the hands of Labour and the Democrats.
Meanwhile, Iraq seems to have dropped from the news. Amazing.
Opie, salt would be kind. Shrapnel is more like what they're using.
The Pommys are good soldiers and deserve better. Sadly, the Royal Army's support structure is not what it was:
Tommy this and Tommy that,
And chuck him out, the brute,
But it's thank you Mr. Atkins,
When the guns begin to shoot.
I was seconded to 42 Commando early in my career with the US Navy. I ran into one of the blokes from the old days living in Santa Ana, CA - about four years ago.
He said, "I remember you! You took a running leap into my lap - in a pig." (a PIG is a one ton Humber Armored Car).
LL,
As a rule, I usually never allow anyone to Kipple on this site. In your case an exception has been made.
It's almost farcical the way the British Ministry of Defense is operating these days. I recently read an article in the London Daily Mail about all the problems the MoD is having just getting 7 or 8 helicopters upgraded to go to Afghanistan...and these aren't even NEW airframes! They're so broke paying for their healthcare system and social welfare that these were second-hand helicopters bought from freakin' Denmark! Plus, the poor guys are stuck using personnel carriers that are vastly inferior in protection against IED's.
When given proper kit, the UK's troops are great, like that Black Watch sniper who just capped a Taliban leader from over a mile away.
Gun control is being able to hit your target...
Poetry, Steve. Poetry.
I like poetry and I like Kipling.
Sadly, Afghanistan is going to end up being this generation's Vietnam. There is little likelihood any kind of victory will every be found there.
The troubling- REALLY troubling aspect of this story? It's ALL old news if you've tried to keep up at all with the UKs involvement in the war.
Dulce et Decorum Est (and) Apologia
Pro Poemate Meo.
The Tommy has been here before
Chup, Rhod... Graviora manent ex habenae.
That one was a struggle.
Even worse dangers from the government, or variations...I think.
You're a Renaissance man.
The Brits were good troops. Sorry to see this.
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