Again. Traditions die hard. Is it just the army, or are navy and RAF units on standby as well?
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/l...oops-sr0z2wl6h
Leave may be postponed for troops
Christmas leave for 10,000 troops may be interrupted or postponed as taskings mount up on the “overstretched” army.
The service is performing numerous roles in support of the government’s
coronavirus response, including mass testing, as part of Operation Rescript.
A winter support force of 7,500 personnel has been stood up by the Ministry of Defence to assist other Whitehall departments, with 2,000 troops deployed to Liverpool for the city-wide mass testing pilot.
Soldiers are also on notice to help manage flooding crises as well as preparations for the end of the
Brexit transition period, including a “no deal” outcome, on December 31.
Jeremy Quin, defence procurement minister, has said that the armed forces are involved in 41 “military aid to the civilian authorities” (Maca) tasks relating to Covid-19......
A defence source said: “Of course some troops might be working over Christmas — we wouldn’t expect doctors and nurses to take it off.”
An army source told
The Times: “It’s prudent and judicious planning to make sure we’ve got the nation’s back as an insurance policy if other government departments ask us to do things.
“There’s an expectation that that’s the kind of lifestyle you sign up to. That’s why people join the forces. We’re always on some form of readiness, as plans develop and change. Whether it’s flooding or something else, we’re always there and ready to go.”
Anyone unable to take leave over the holidays will be guaranteed time off in the new year instead, it is understood......
The Ministry of Defence said: “The nation’s armed forces will do whatever is necessary to protect this country... Thousands of public servants from the emergency services, the NHS, the armed forces and local government around the country will be on call this Christmas.”