Guest 687- Registered: 2 Jun 2009
- Posts: 513
As someone who had a thirty year association with the Army ( reported for duty for the 1st time 50 years ago yesterday) I think it terribly sad that we continue to reduce the Army even further. Not because of the normal reasons given but because it reduces the opportunity for youngsters to get a trade, participate in sport and broaden their life experiences and be paid a living wage whilst doing so.Those of you that have personal experience of the forces I am sure will empathise with me and hopefully agree.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
I fully agree Ken.
This is the one and only part of public expenditure that should not be cut, indeed in this dangerous world it should be increased.
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
Yea, let's take the argy-bargy out of Deficit reduction and call the unemployed 'Reservists'.
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
Totally agree with you Ken. First class training, discipline & great defence capabilities sells it to me. I do agree that Armed forces should be prepared for the today's combat and not fighting yesterdays campaigns. They should also be properly equipped.
Watty
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
My son is in HM forces so I sympathise.
We waste £millions on pointless wars overseas, it seems also there is a massive problem with procurement, wasting money that could be better spent.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
to many,to soon.
Guest 716- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 4,010
With the UK supporting France in Mali and the severe cuts to our armed forces being proposed leaving us `weaker`
is it time to consider a European Armed Forces.?
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
absolutely not each seperate nation state would want to take their orders from one of their own.
Guest 716- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 4,010
United Nations ?
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
No not the UN or The EU, Howard is spot on, only the UK can look after UK interests and must have the defence capacity to do so. It can be afforded if we make sure defence has the priority it needs.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
united nations says it all for me - just a toothless talking shop that do a lot of hand wringng when wars break out, would be the same with a pan european army.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
howard,it depends on the rights and wrongs of it.the un forces have done some stirling work over the years,kosavo springs to mind insantly.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
Considering that Britain's armed Forces have been committed to so many war-campaigns by T. Blair, getting mixed up in other people's mess, the best thing Gov. could do was to cut down drastically on military personnel.
Hopefully this will prevent our Forces being flung into another mess somewhere in some country completely unrelated to us.
Full support to Gov. on this
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
alex,what about all those unemployed experianced service personnel etc,and those who want to make something of themselfs.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
All this should be left for the time when we have our Island Army, Brian.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
alex,its not big enough.and besides.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
brian
i have nothing but praise for the u.n. peacekeeping forces, but if the u.n. did their job they would not be needed.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
Brian, we don't need to send our soldiers into other people's mess: GET OVER IT!
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
alex,if its in our intrest then yes,unless we get missled of corse.
howard,i can see where your coming from,but if there hands are tied by red tape etc what else can do but abide by the un mandate.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
Brian, the Government has very good reasons to cut down drastically on military personnel.
It's better not to ask questions and not to get involved in it.