26 weeks and not ready to deploy? That was the normal period for a regular soldier in 1913. As 1914 was ending, this was cut to 13 weeks.

After 26 weeks training I would hope [and am sure] a soldier could do all a G4S candidate could do, and better.

Not ideal, but I know who I would prefer handling my security!

Must admit I felt a tad confused about all this security. I thought the whole purpose of our people in Afghanistan was to make this country secure. Take the fight to the enemy and all that.

Why cant we reel Blair and his people in front of some committee and ask them what the sacrifice was all for if we still need 10K troops on the street and Missiles on the ground.

Is it just me, or does the country seem to be going to the dogs, run as it as by lackeys of the banks, living off inherited money.

ExRAFRadar

Says, it all really. However, given the vintage of the quote it is a problem that has been a long time coming...:(

LJ

Get used to it - you have had a glimpse of the future ...

At this rate the UK won't have anyone left to defend the UK.

"Border staff threaten strike chaos before Olympics

Thousands of immigration staff at airports and ports could walk out next week, causing chaos before the Olympics."


It's becoming a real life version of Faulty Towers !

That's the 20,000 we soon won't have and over 10% of those we have now!!!
What a farce... The world is laughing at us and quite rightly too, i wonder what they would have done post the 20k cuts? :ugh:

Suprised Cameron hasn't contacted the French and used his closer "cooperation" in all things Military to put the Foreign Legion on car Parking duties..

:ugh: :ugh:



Fewer troops fight the Taliban than guard the London Olympics | The Sun |News|Politics

ISTR the most we ever had in Norn Iron (in about 1972/3?) was around 20 000. And that was from a 100k + Army :(

Teeters - in the late 70s and very early 80s the British Army had 160,000 regulars and nominally another 40,000 in the TA.

There is one thing that has concerned me. What if folks who have been issued appropriate security passes and are missing in action turn up at inappropriate times.
Am I wrong in thinking that many people have been given security passes and have now disappeared?

Interestingly I recall seeing a piece on a website a few days ago quoting a 'Senior Police Officer' saying what was really call for concern was those people who had turned up to collect the uniform but not turned up for the job.

Maybe I imagined it but that quote has not been seen since.

I can't believe how incompetent G4S are. For a few months now their website has been showing me as passed screening and vetting, and passed to LOCOG for verification. Yet yesterday they contacted me for more information on my personal references, who are still serving, and I'm a reservist. Today the latest email informs me that the references are okay, but they need information on when I've been claiming JSA for the last three years. Well just since January this year I've deployed overseas four times to different countries, with another Det. in the UK thrown in. I could go to the Olympics tomorrow through my own unit, but these clowns are making people jump through hoops at the last minute for minimal return. I think it's time to sack this sorry drama. It wouldn't be believable in a soap opera.

Whenever I know that Keith Vaz is pontificating to anyone about their shortcomings, I always feel like I need a good scrub down with a bass broom and bleach.

Form an orderly queue here......


:E

I can believe how incompetent G4S are, and a lot of other large companies. They now run on two principles

Profit:
Job Protection:

The upshot is that they will only recruit people who won't argue (no matter how stupid the policy/instruction) at the minimum possible wage.

Guess what? These recruits cannot cope with a crisis or, even if they could, aren't going to speak up.

Expect things to get worse.

I just got another email from my unit looking for six people from 27th July to support Op Olympic, presumably to the 26th August, accommodation, TENTS. Hmm, let me think about that, no way Jose!

Edit: Forgot to add that this is in a proper camp with lots of accommodation blocks, not actually in London.

I wonder if I should waive my terminal leave to help out?

Nah, **** 'em.

I heard Hugh Robertson, the Sports Minister, telling the media how the army was doing a great job in filling the gap. Thanks Major - I wouldn't have guessed your background. Anyway, from Dec 2011.

:eek: Really? No sh#t.

Anyone (particularly someone with a mil background) who pays £270 millions for last minute security measures and later claims that this problem was unforeseen is either a fibber or incompetent. Or both.

Sports minister Hugh Robertson criticises Olympics budget 'gloom' | Sport | The Guardian

Well, Mr Vaz does know a lot about passports, illegal immigrants and lots of other stuff.....

(See Wikipedia for a "brief" resume of his "all legal and above board" exploits).

Exactly - Vaz has a record to be truly proud of.

Every time I hear Vaz speak I want to vomit. I'm sure he used to speak quite differently too when he first appeared on our TV screens.

S-D