Excellent allowances package

[Il Duce]

In the Independent on Sunday today a letter was printed from a Vice Admiral putting straight a previous correspondent who had highlighted that soldiers were going hungry because of Pay As You Dine (and, incidentally, not having enough money). The Vice Admiral explained the system by which personnel need not go hungry despite a lack of cash. However, he also went on to add that the Armed Forces have excellent allowances packages and, typically, a Lance Corporal serving in Afghanistan for six months could be in line for allowances totalling £31,000.
I have to admit to being slightly surprised at that figure - anyone care to add any details?

[VinRouge]

YEah, its quite simple really, he is talking bollox.

Take away the 2K ELC, money they add on for free healthcare, plus all the other stuff they cant use because they are spending 6 months a year out of area, the other 6 months training for the next op, and you realise that actually, the squaddie is still on basic + op allowance (= cock all P.A. getting hit with the 10p tax cut may I add, balooning UK Inflation, low wage settlements etc... (cheers Labour for the sound economic fundamentals you leave us with...).

[liedtoagain]

I can find the original article but not the letter. Could someone clever please put a link on or PM me with the letter as I need to print it and put it in the office for a giggle.......

Cheers in advance.

[Biggus]

Was the Vice Admiral in question retired or still serving?

If still serving did he say where he worked - MOD propaganda department perhaps?

[Il Duce]

Sorry, haven't got access to the original right now, but I'm fairly certain that the Vice Admiral's address was listed as currently serving in MoD.

[Spam_UK]

If anyone uses the Armed Forces Benifits Calculator, it comes up with a figure similar to that! Made me chuckle.

[buoy15]

More to the point
The Vice Admiral is probably serving currents (sic) in MOD and has been told to feed a bun to the public, prior to his retirement and knighthood:8

[L J R]

It is a pity that all those so called alowances are not actually available to the average dude. A single Squaddie probably doesn't have kids for Private Borading School. THerefore that so called benefit is not part of his deal. ...etc...etc....etc....30 Grand - My arrse.:ugh:

[5 Forward 6 Back]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't a bit underhand to refer to CEA as a "benefit" in this sense? I thought it was to counter the difficulties generated by moves across the country every 2-4 years that can be disruptive to a child's education.

The very least the MoD should to is ensure that a child's education isn't affected by their parents' postings. It's countering a large disadvantage of forces life, not providing an added benefit.

[airborne_artist]

MoD should be careful calling it a benefit - HMC&R will want to tax it. I can't see how a Lance Jack could afford the remainder of the school fees though, unless he married a GP :ok: