I think Sir Jock is simply preparing the battlefield for Gordon. Last week, Bush was in town urging Gordon to stay in Iraq. Britain can't afford to, but doesn't want to lose too much political face. Therefore, the political excuse is to get your CDS to speak out thus giving you the opportunity to blame someone else whilst making a "hard, regrettable but necessary decision". If you think Sir Jock is speaking out for servicemen, think again, he would have done long ago if that was his bag. "Jump, yes sir, how high, another year as top dog, oohhh thank you sir".....etc etc