Our forces can't carry on like this, says General Sir Richard Dannatt

[ap1]

This has been lifted from the ARRSE site, it deserves full dissemination.

The Telegraph on 17/11/07

By Sean Rayment, Defence Correspondent

Last Updated: 9:29pm GMT 17/11/2007

The head of the Army has warned that years of Government under-funding and overstretch have left troops feeling "devalued, angry and suffering from Iraq fatigue", The Sunday Telegraph can reveal.

General Sir Richard Dannatt, the Chief of the General Staff, reveals in a top-level report that the present level of operations is "unsustainable", the Army is "under-manned" and increasing numbers of troops are "disillusioned" with service life.

Gen Dannatt states that the "military covenant is clearly out of kilter", and the chain of command needs to improve standards of pay, accommodation and medical care.

"We must strive to give individuals and units ample recuperation time between operations, but I do not underestimate how difficult this will be to achieve whilst under-manned and with less robust establishments than I would like."

The report, a copy of which has been seen by this newspaper, reveals for the first time the general's concerns on virtually every aspect of the Army, from levels of pay to the quality of food in canteens.

Gen Dannatt came to public prominence last year when, within weeks of taking over as head of the Army, he said the Iraq war was causing security problems in Britain.

In the new report, he says that operations on the two fronts of Iraq and Afghanistan are putting soldiers and their families under "great pressure", and that the long-term impact of operations is "damaging" and is "mortgaging the goodwill of our people".

In terms of "overstretch", the report says, "the tank of goodwill now runs on vapour; many experienced staff are talking of leaving".

Last week, Lt Col Stuart Tootal, 42, who commanded the Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan, resigned from the Army over the "shoddy" treatment of injured troops. In a letter to defence chiefs, he was reported to have criticised levels of pay, a lack of training equipment and the appalling housing - all issues raised in Gen Dannatt's report.

The report lays bare how a lack of funding, resources and manpower are forcing defence chiefs into making decisions once considered unthinkable.

One such move includes sending "medically downgraded" or injured troops and soldiers as young as 17 to guard the Falkland Islands to release fit troops for operations - a move Gen Dannatt says he wholly supports.

The report adds:

• Delays to military inquests are a disgrace

• Military housing estates are unsafe and being overrun by immigrant families

• Poor food quality is creating a "pot-noodle and sandwich" culture among junior soldiers

• Work-life balance is an increasing concern

• Soldiers are "going sick" to get out of the Army

• Leave is often cancelled or constrained because of operational overstretch

• Harmony guidelines - the time between operational tours - are becoming meaningless

• The Army is no longer fun

• Fitness in the Army is tailing off and more soldiers are medically downgraded

The report's findings follow months of interviews with thousands of soldiers and their families from 47 units.

Entitled Chief of the General Staff's Briefing Team Report (2007), the findings are described by Gen Dannatt as a "comprehensive, vivid and accurate" picture of Army life.

He writes that "improvements need to be made in accommodation, pay and medical services" and that the "chain of command must still improve things" if more soldiers are to be recruited.

The general accepts the view that delays in holding military inquests are a "disgrace" and writes: "I share the frustration and know that many families feel let down by the process. The delays are unacceptable and I will continue to press for improvements."

Military housing is an area singled out for criticism. "Estates are becoming less safe and more run down. Some are degenerating - in Germany it is reported that many of the neighbouring areas are occupied by immigrant families with hordes of children.

This is of particular concern for wives when their husband is deployed [on operations]." In Britain, some service families' accommodation areas have "ex-married quarters owned by housing associations, and disruptive civilian families have moved in, causing concerns over vandalism and theft".

The report strongly criticises the "Pay As You Dine" policy of making soldiers pay for what they eat, which many in the Army call a "disaster".

It says: "There are real concerns about the new eating habits of some soldiers due to Pay As You Dine. A "pot noodle and sandwich" culture is being created and soldiers are cooking rations over gas burners in their rooms. There are apocryphal stories of soldiers flaking during PT sessions from a lack of nutrients".

The report adds: "Pay As You Dine was sold as a strap line of new restaurants, better choice and good quality. The reality is very different - for most, the only investment has been a till."

There is a growing problem of troops "going sick" to get out of the Army.

There is a lack of "training areas, range availability, shortages of ammunition, spares and manpower - which is limiting the amount of meaningful training that can be undertaken. There are insufficient serviceable aircraft for parachute training. Apache flying hours are limited by lack of serviceable aircraft".

Patrick Mercer, a Tory MP and former infantry commander, said: "These problem areas existed 10 years ago. Now we have a crisis and it is a disgrace that senior officers and ministers have allowed this to happen. I am staggered that the head of the Army thinks it acceptable to send kids and those medically unfit for war to guard the Falklands."

[Guvs]

It's about time someone high up has come out and said what we all knew has been happening from the start of "options for change" in the early 90s, lets hope they do something about it now if it's not to late that is.

[Lofty-25]

Well that is the second Gen (Gen Sir Micheal Jackson and Gen Sir Richard Dannatt) to come out and speak about the shoddy treatment of our troops this year, will this now work to improve things for our boys, i doubt it very much, the governments bean counters are only interested in saving money, even at the expence of our troops on the front line, as already stated, if nothing is done soon to improve food, housing and especially the equipment our boys are using, then time will come where things will be broken beyond repair. Surely if your 2 top Generals come out and attack the way that the forces are being neglected, then surely the government must address the issue - mus'nt they ? ? ? ? ?

[Barry69]

It really does look as the army is being taken for second best, in there treatment the housing issue, and especially the food Pay as You Dine must be a concern, what a dull option, have you ever know a single soldier to still have cash in the last week of the month? He will starve or return home to be fed?

What happened to good Admin?

This is not something that has happened over night ether in the days of Ireland the tour turn around was shortened which also took in th Falklands and Bosnia, So the government has had ample time to put this right!

Its all about a duty of care, and em I guess they don't!

[Fortyfive]

And we thought we had a bad time with the kit we were given in the 70's to go on tour of Northern Ireland. I remember going to Andover market go buy a good wet proof jacket for a tour in the 70's

[Gwyn Nicholas]

Well that is the second Gen (Gen Sir Micheal Jackson and Gen Sir Richard Dannatt) to come out and speak about the shoddy treatment of our troops this year, will this now work to improve things for our boys, i doubt it very much, the governments bean counters are only interested in saving money, even at the expence of our troops on the front line, as already stated, if nothing is done soon to improve food, housing and especially the equipment our boys are using, then time will come where things will be broken beyond repair. Surely if your 2 top Generals come out and attack the way that the forces are being neglected, then surely the government must address the issue - mus'nt they ? ? ? ? ?

Yes another GENERAL/KNIGHT has come out but quite frankly (call me a cynic if you will) but this man is a puppet for the MOD saying things that every one of us already knows, thus hoping to imply that something is going to be done in the near future. I have a great deal more respect for Lt Col Tootal who is making his stand and protest now long before the Honours and fat pension are lumped on him. Most of us (older-ish) will remember the shortages of equipment from the 80/90's even after the promise of a smaller but better equipped Service, and nothing has improved. In fact things seem much worse from what I read and hear. I have said before and still believe, if professional volunteer soldiers cannot be found to maintain our services, the only option will be National Service. I know that many will say "it will never happen" but think about it, if you cant get enough men and women recruited where do you get your forces? How much more of this 3rd class citizenship can/ will they take? I'm sure a "think tank" somewhere has worked out how many Billions of pounds can be saved by paying a conscript (basic wage) rather than a professional soldier. Makes my blood boil!!!

[josk77]

well its about time too. The only problem is really is the POLITICIANS. Insteadof looking after the troops they look after their own careers too much"too scared to rock the boat" and the goverments wallet. Hope the statement Al provided hits home and make these in goverment that without the contrabution of troops for the past decades,they would not be where thay are now.

Josk

[sixties]

Why dont the generals refuse to send the military out to these war zones ?
I Posted a question on the forum called DISGUST on the 16-11-2007 at 20.54,
why is it no longer there i posted it on the Q.reply, does that make a difference.
Can someone tell me why the RAF & NAVY Do not voice there opinions ?

[ap1]

I Posted a question on the forum called DISGUST on the 16-11-2007 at 20.54,
why is it no longer there

You would need to start a new thread. Unless your replying to an existing message, in which case you could use "Quick Reply"

[Smokeyjoe]

It has taken a long time for the General to come up with his comments, as for the "Pay as you dine policy" what a load of B*******, a soldier needs good grub to keep him going not snacks that he buys himself.
The people in command have an option if they totaly agree that things are going wrong, and that is to resign, at least they can afford to on the type of pension they will recieve, possibly that is why they have not so far.
Joe.