In the Bleak Mid-Winter

[Flatus Veteranus]

Watching these threads over the last few weeks, the outlook for the Services (and the RAF in particular) seems bleak indeed. You seem to be caught between the Scylla and Charybdis of diametrically opposed personalities with incompatible values and aims at Nos 10 & 11 Downing Street. Bliar, the charismatic and smooth ex-public shoolboy, who seems to be driven by religious fervour, and seeks alongside Dubya, to impose Western liberalism (and materialism) on inimical cultures; and Brown the dour Glaswegian, who runs rings around Bliar intellectually, but seems unable to decide whether he wants socialist egalitarianism or dynamic American capitalism. Bliar dictates the services' aims, but Brown denies them the means.

The revelations about shortages of basic equipment in Telic were scandalous and should in themselves been sufficient cause for Hoon's resignation or dismissal. It was expected that the Hutton report would seal his fate, but the euphoria that has been stoked up by Saddam's capture and Gadaffi's capitulation will probably let him off the hook.

It is all quite dispiriting for a concerned onlooker such as myself; but for those still serving the situation must be desperate. I am sure that all former members of the services will wish those still "in" every sympathy and best wishes for a happy Christmas and a more bountiful New Year. :ok:

[HOODED]

Unlikley to be more bountiful I'm afraid, unless thay're going to offer me a nice redundancy package! I'm not holding my breath, more likley I'll be asked to do 3 mens work rather than the 2 most people have to do these days. Still with less ac we may get enough spares to be able to keep more of em flying or is that both of them flying?

[Scud-U-Like]

The outlook for the services is always bleak, or rather, the outlook of those in the services is always bleak, if you listen to the usual bellyaching (mine included). The recruiting and retention figures often tell a different story.

I don't believe problems for the services have anything to do with specific political personalities. We are asked and always will be asked by our political masters to do more than we can comfortably manage. The defence budget will always be dipped into, when the Treasury is getting strapped for cash (and sometimes, even when it isn't). As with every vocation, life in the services has its ups and downs. Show me the person who works for a large organisation, says he has job security, perfect management, more than adequate resources and is totally happy with his lot and I'll show you a liar.

[soddim]

It impressed me whilst I served and it still impresses me while I train the new guys that this country gets such high quality people in the forces despite the apparent neglect of our political masters. Do we get the forces we deserve - no, we get much more and for that we must thank them.

I hope we will continue to get more than we pay for because there is little sign that government will change things.

[Captain Gadget]

Sad - but true, mate.

:ok:Gadget

[Phoney Tony]

Flatus Veteranus

Good Post.

Unfortunately the logic used by those who scrutinise the MoD Aquistion system goes along simple lines:

How can you (The Services) be undermanned and have poor equipment. You have just won another war and simultaneously supported things like Op FRESCO?

Unfortunately, that kind of logic runs until we are found wanting.

The consequences of this will be dire.

Merry Christmas!

[jayteeto]

Phoney Tony... you are absolutely right!! The military DID cope with everything in 2003. My question is contraversial, but I open this to all: If you were a senior politician and the military coped with everything on the current budget. Would YOU give them any more cash or would you give it to the vote-winning NHS????????

[ShyTorque]

JT2,

Yes perhaps we should find a war that we can LOSE. That'll teach the bu££ers at No 10........

[Hueymeister]

You mean like the Peace that we are trying to win right now?

Happy New Year and stay safe..esp to those on Ops all 'round the globe.

[Paddy Don't Surf]

I well remember the big one .... DRAWDOWN!
Remember the peace dividend? Remember the proud politicians proclaiming loud and clear how the country didn't need such *cough* massive Armed Forces in the face of the removal of the threat of Ivan and His hair arsed hordes rushing over the IGB (that's inner german border for the kids).

I also well remember the vaunted cry of the leaders of the day, the early sound bytes of spin ....

"You can look forward to a smaller, better equiped Armed Forces".

OK, you spineless, REMFs sitting in your ivory towers in perfect safety and a 9 to 5 job in Whitehall, pin your ears back and listen in ...

We've got smaller, when the fcuk are we going to be better equiped?