Sunday, 6 September 2009

It's No Different for Our Soldiers Today


Our soldiers are suffering, many because of physical injuries but thousands with mental injuries. We have politicians who are happy to send our soldiers to a war which has no plan or slightest chance of success and we're happy to wipe our hands of them when the poor souls are discharged, because they can no longer be cannon fodder.

We don't shoot soldiers like Harry Farr anymore. We just ignore them and let them exist in their own living hell. Shame on our governments for not trying to help those who offer their lives to protect us. Without the professionalism and expertise of our military this country would not exist as we know it.


8 comments:

Key bored warrior. said...

Shocking, brutal, and true.

All politicians before they are allowed to committ forces to conflict should have to endure a day with the SAS as victims in The Killing house where they are attacked with stun grenades, CS gas and blank firing weapons. They should be shown video of casualities being treated in field hospitals such as Bastion and if possible visit one. They should be made to go to homes to meet veterans and made to stand on the tarmac when the bodies arrive home at BN. They should be allowed to have a free vote and we must never ever leave that decision to one person, who can condemn 10s of thousands to death on a "thats it then, " like Butcher Blair.

There are times when we have to react with speed and the use of force is inevitable, but not to satisfy the ego of an arrogant grinning jug eared runt.

subrosa said...

Oh how I wish that was possible Kbw, but I doubt if 99% of politicians would pass the basic fitness test.

I'm becoming more and more angry each day when I read how they're surviving out there just to keep politicians in Westminster happy.

Vronsky said...

A piece in Private Eye talks of the unpopularity among soldiers stationed in Afgahnistan of visits by MPs.

The latest trip by a cross-party group of MPs turned out to be the least popular of the lot, however. All was fine until the group assembled for the trip home, with seats booked on board one of the RAF's few available transport planes.

It was then tempers frayed. Much "vociferous complaining and bitching" ensued, according to one outraged officer, when the group was told that there would be a delay because the RAF was removing seats from "their" aircraft in order to accommodate wounded servicemen for treatment in the UK.

subrosa said...

Morning Vronsky. Since 2001 these photocall visits have been detested as they take soldiers from their regular routine and upset the whole planning and leaves groups short of manpower/transport.

There ought to be one or two a year and that's that.

It's not only the politician it's their henchmen, reporters etc who all have to be transported from A to B and fed etc. The planning of these visits takes weeks because security has to be extended to these posers and of course, it's taken from the soldiers at the front line.

Oh, sorry that's a ramble, but this is one area which so annoys me.

Fitaloon said...

There was a good program on BBC2 last night entitled Walking Wounded that looked at ex-servicemen dealing with civvie life. Eye opening to see just how badly they are treated (if at all)

subrosa said...

I missed that FL and will try to see it on iPlayer. Thanks.

Key bored warrior. said...

Fitaloon. There was something about that programme that did not quite add up. I am still trying to work out exactly what.

When you take young men and now women into the forces at the age when they are most susceptible, and you then train them to a high level of fitness and also programme them to take orders and to kill, you then owe it to them and to society to see that you de-programme them and support them on demob, that has never been done.

Most people are mentaly strong enough to cope with being a civvy again. And can ;eave the mob life behind. But a small number are not and consequntly fall through the nets. But then many people are like that without going near the forces, so maybe they should be screened out to begin with.

I noticed the Para last night said that he had been in trouble with the police before he went in. When I signed up any police record barred you from entry.

Many of my comrades saw horrendous action and still manage to lead a relatively normal life, without cracking up. Being happy and content in your private life can mean so much, especially if you are lucky to have a good partner.

subrosa said...

That's a difficult one KBW because nobody really knows how they will cope will certain situations. All the training in the world can't fully prepare someone for the real thing.

Years ago the debriefings were more or less non-existent and courses which were intended to prepare someone for civvie street were the butt of jokes.

I doubt if things have improved much although some regiments seem to have a good 'after care' system these days.

It's true what you say though, a stable private life is vital. Unfortunately many partners who have never experienced even living in quarters, can have difficulty appreciating how long it can take for their loved one to settle into a civilian life. That's when the problems arise.

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