Squaddies must now rely on the health service (I presume that officers go private).
I think that statement clearly displays Routledge's lack of understanding of the military - it also speaks volumes about his political views.
We have a volunteer army. There are no conscripts. These men and women choose to place themselves in the line of conflict.
Unless the government's treatment of the armed forces improves (the pay rise was only a small start) then we won't have a volunteer army for much longer!