Our 'Modern' Army

A couple of friends emailed me this morning asking my opinion of the Telegraph's article 'Army launches recruitment drive for 10,000 new young soldiers ahead of redundancies'. (I don't subscribe to the Telegraph but was able to access it on my iPad, so if you have a tablet you can read it by downloading the Telegraph app).

One of my friends was outraged at what he considered was an insult to those soldiers who would soon be leaving the Army; some involuntarily.

Next month there will be another round of 5,000 redundancies and starting today the MoD will appeal, in a television campaign, for fresh applicants, aimed at the 16 - 24 age group.

Maybe this is why the MoD is starting a recruitment drive.

Critics argue that the Army is losing valuable expertise as it sheds trained soldiers in favour of young recruits, many of whom will be starting on just over £14,000 a year.  I concur, because much of the skill training within HM Forces is expensive but, on the positive side, many skilled soldiers who have been made redundant will be employable in civilian life, even in the current employment market. Sadly, also there will be a good percentage who will be suffering war-weariness and all the health problems associated with numerous deployments in recent years.

The MoD defended its position by stating that around 11,000 leave the Army naturally every year so it has to constantly recruit.

Ministers are trying to reduce the size of the Army from 102,000 to 82,000 as part of deep cuts to the defence budget.  It was initially proposed that numbers would be bolstered by more reservists from the Territorial Army, but it seems that employers aren't at all happy at the prospect of losing an employee for months rather than weeks.  Also, as in any organisation, it's so much cheaper to have youngsters rather than older, more qualified and experienced personnel. Thankfully there are those who recognise their plight and make strenuous efforts to help.

The future of our Army is now becoming evident. A basically trained young force with depleted senior ranks. In a few year's time our Army will be but a shell of what it has been in my lifetime.

What does concern me is that army recruiting has now been outsourced to the private company Capita yet there is no indication that the MoD has made its recruitment department redundant as yet.

Who would have thought that the recruitment of our military was profit-making?

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A Shame Which Must Be Set Right

Sergeant Matthew Telford, 37, of the Grenadier Guards, died in Afghanistan as a result of an attack from what was described as a rogue attack from an Afghan policeman who opened fire on the compound in which they sought respite.  Four other British soldiers were killed in the attack and all were acknowledged as being 'brave and courageous' by our then Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Sgt Telford was promoted to that rank in June 2009 but in November last year he was killed.

His wife will only receive a Corporal's pension because Sgt Telford had held the rank of Sgt for less than a year.  He was killed on active service whilst wearing a Sgt's stripes and operating as one.

This 'flaw' in the military pension system strikes a nerve with me.  I know of someone - a ranking officer - who was promoted and was operating in Ireland during the troubles as a Major, having been promoted 10 months before.  The man had served in the army for over 30 years with a distinguished service.  Sgt Telford's record was similar.

When my friend was back in the UK for a long awaited week's leave, he had a heart attack; in fact he had two in one day and was fortunately enough to be admitted quickly to the local hospital.  They saved his life but not his job.  He didn't mind, or his family, because they were happy to have him alive.  Sadly, less then 2 weeks later he succumbed to a third attack. His widow was given her share of a Captain's pension because her husband hadn't been a Major for over 12 months. In 1981 the difference in the pension was over £2,000 a year.  Her husband had been working as an 'acting Major' for many months prior to his official promotion.  Being an 'acting' rank counts for nothing in pension speak.

What I can't discover was if Sgt Telford was in an 'acting capacity' prior to his promotion but, I do know that in conflict situations that doesn't occur for long.  The military want their chain of command to be strong and those in 'acting' promotions may not hold the same authority as the accredited rank.

I'm unsure if Sgt Telford's promotion was announced in the press but I do know my friend's was in the early 80s.  It looked impressive at the time seeing his promotion in print after the months he'd spent as 'acting Major'.  This is another way our politicians - who are responsible for MoD websites - to opt out of taking responsibility for all they offer new recruits on their website.

Why should Sgt Telford's widow be left with a reduction in her due pension when none of the other services would tolerate that for one minute?  Can you imagine the police, fire service or ambulance service allowing this insult?  Of course not.  But our military do not believe in unions and I very much respect that.  Believe me, I've been weary over the years in my attempts to bring the inconsistencies which exist for our armed forces and other public services.

If you feel they deserve better, in the honour of Sgt Telford, I would ask you to sign this petition.

If you're in doubt, please think about these highly paid public servants who are provided with golden handshakes and pensions which are equivalent to what many earn in a lifetime.

I doubt if Mrs Telford is concerned about the money she will received for the rest of her life, she would much rather have her well-loved husband back.  It's up to people who are unemotionally involved to help right this wrong.

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Job Opportunity

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Love

Please don't immediately think this is only a post about an Army officer's wedding because, when you read on, you'll find it's much more than that.

Mike and Kady Parke were married in England a week past Saturday, 1 October.  It was a grand affair with a church wedding witnessed by 240 guests.

Let me tell you a little of the story.  Mike Parke is 36 years old and joined the Army from school.  He was soon recognised as being officer material and quick-marched to Sandhurst where he completed his officers training.  He's what is known in military circles as a 'ranking officer' and those people are highly regarded by all personnel as they are few and far between.  Mike then joined the Royal Signals, worked his way up the ladder and is now a Major.  The signals are seconded to every  area of military deployment.

This summer Kady, a senior cardiac nurse, and himself were finalising their plans for a small, quiet wedding on a Greek island next year, when their lives took a completely different direction.  For a couple of months previously Mike had been complaining of headaches, which he eventually realised were nothing to do with his alcohol intake, so he consulted his GP.  I'll leave him to tell you the story.  It's an exceptional diary so do read the links in succession.

So often these days we hear marriage doesn't matter but this story shows the commitment of marriage is still strong.  Hopefully it also gives a small insight into military life and how our armed forces pull together, regardless of rank. Some question why anyone would join today's military - I've wondered that myself - but trust, loyalty, respect and friendship are the values which hold our military together.  We hear of some service personnel having difficulties adjusting to civilian life once they leave the services.  Could it be that they see little evidence of these values in today's society?

Channel 5 News broadcast the following item on Friday.

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