David Dimbleby Lecture.

[Martyn Leader]

I watched with interest since retiring senior officers will always speak out when they have left office; it was quite predictable that he would have something unpalatable for the government to hear. He has been criticised by some serving soldiers for not doing so whilst in office, but Paul Hinge is right, what is he going to do if he is not listened to, resign? Some commentators have cited his loyalty for this (turn to the right and get on with it even if you don't agree with the diction) and we can all relate to that! However, loyalty goes down as well as up and no matter how hard he was fighting for us from the inside, it sometimes needs a public statement to let us know that. The new CGS Gen Sir Richard Dannatt has done just that, though much of what he said was taken out of context. Interesting now though that US and UK are developing revised withdrawal strategies.

Numbers of Majors leaving the Army at the moment are 20% up on recent years - I think that says it all.

[taffylooneytoon]

well said Sir, happy xmass and new year Val.

[UKSniper]

I saw the interview on the Sunday morning and I still stand by my first comment.

"If you spend too long with politicians you'll become one".

[Paul Hinge]

Martin you have hit the nail on the head with this. I for one feel that a professional armed forces should be just that..professional where a healthy environment is created when people can speak up on what concerns the well being of the forces as a whole without outdated sanctions being levied at them. I don't mean any Tom Dick or Harri speaking to those who need to know but peole with abit of gravitas i.e. Corporals with service CSM's and Senior Officers all of whom have an input in ensuring we have a vibrant Armed Forces whose members feel they are of worth. It has been mentioned by another commentator that Private Security Firms pay 3 times what a Senoir Rank is picking up in a combat zone. Further to that ask the question why so many Major's are leaving the forces when they could have what should be a wonderful career before them. All ranks are suffering disillusionment with lack of structure, constantly being called on to be in a combat zone, very little or no time to relax and recharge the batteries.
Basic Management Skills that seem to bypassed the Armed Forces and are not in the volcabulary of those making the decisions on levels of commitment that our Armed Forces can realistically undertake!

Hingey

[UKSniper]

This is a qoute from the MOD Oracle website

"Leadership, sorely lacking in recent years, is vital. Most senior officers, intimidated by draconian ministerial instructions, maintain a Trappist silence until they wail unconvincingly from the safety of retirement. The recent outbreak of honesty from a new generation of serving generals has been applauded by almost everyone save the government."

Obviously there are a few others that agree with us Alpoole.

The rest of the write up can be seen at (its worth a read)

http://www.modoracle.com/?page=http:...C025EAE1CA7D91