Financial Times: Iran debacle shows failure to understand the British services
Flogging stories of victimhood has no place in the armed forces. By initially allowing the 15 sailors and marines held captive by Iran to accept payments from the media for recounting their ordeal, the Navy and the Ministry of Defence have set a dangerous precedent. This failure to grasp the real values of service in the military goes right to the top of the MoD. The reversal of the decision does not undo the damage. In Tony Blair’s Britain, it seems every newsworthy experience must be shared – and does command a price.......
On every level, the initial government decision was disastrous. It succeeded only in keeping the spotlight on a humiliating episode in which members of the armed forces, no doubt acting under orders, were captured without firing a shot in anger and later paraded on Iranian television as meek and obedient prisoners. While the servicemen and one woman were understandably traumatised by their treatment, they nevertheless will not go down in history as heroes. To celebrate their brief spell in captivity is to devalue the many real acts of bravery that the British armed forces routinely commit in action. Imagine, for a moment, Lord Nelson being asked to describe how he felt about the loss of his right arm.
Mr Browne and the MoD have fallen into the trap – too commonplace today – of confusing victims with heroes. This strikes at the heart of the culture and morale of the armed forces. The services are founded on pride, teamwork and camaraderie. Tales of single-handed heroism can intensify these bonds: individual accounts of humiliation merely serve to weaken them.
There is now a barrier between those who have profited from speaking about their experience and their colleagues. To military personnel serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere – and to their families – it sends the message that society puts a higher value on describing two weeks’ detention than it does on defending the realm.
Britain has one of the few military services able to project force around the world. The government has over-stretched the armed services, but they remain a force to be reckoned with. Now the MoD has made them a laughing stock.
It is a grave error that will not readily be forgiven or quickly put right.