British Military Current Events

[daftandbarmy]

General Sir Peter Wall: send employees to the military reserves to increase productivity

Companies should hire military reservists because their role in the Armed Forces will make them better and more productive workers, the head of the Army has said.

General Sir Peter Wall, the Chief of the General Staff, called on employers to help deliver a “cultural reset” that changes attitudes towards military reservists.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/10011121/General-Sir-Peter-Wall-send-employees-to-the-military-reserves-to-increase-productivity.html

 

[daftandbarmy]

British soldiers killed in First World War finally buried with full military honours

They gave their lives fighting for their country and had remained buried in an anonymous French field for almost a century.

But four British soldiers killed in action during the First World War were finally buried with full military honours today during an emotional service in northern France attended by their families.

Lieutenant John Pritchard, 31, and 28 year-old Private Christopher Elphick were re-interred along with two unidentified comrades from the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) after being killed during the Battle of Arras.

It is the first time that any fallen solider who served during the war in the regiment, the oldest regiment in the British Army, have been identified.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/britain-at-war/10013226/British-soldiers-killed-in-First-World-War-finally-buried-with-full-military-honours.html

 

[daftandbarmy]

Former TA soldier in terror cell that planned Wootton Bassett attack

A British terror cell which planned to attack the military-linked town of Royal Wootton Bassett included a former Territorial Army soldier, a court heard.

Jahangir Alom spent a year with the TA in London in 2006 and would have learnt basic firearms skills before he was discharged on medical grounds.

Five years later, Alom, who is also a former police PCSO, was part of a British terror group that planned to attack the UK or fight British soldiers overseas.

His co-accused, Richard Dart, is a white British convert who was the subject of a documentary filmed by his half brother about his transformation from a midde class boy from Weymouth in to an Islamic extremist.

The pair, along with Imran Mahmood, have admitted engaging in the preparation of terrorist acts and are being sentenced at the Old Bailey.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/10015371/Former-TA-soldier-in-terror-cell-that-planned-Wootton-Bassett-attack.html

 

[Canadian.Trucker]

At one stage Dart, 30, a former BBC security guard from Ealing, and Mahmood discussed attacking mourners at Wootton Bassett, the town where soldiers killed overseas are honoured by residents in a parade.

Mahmood, 22, from Northolt, west London, and Alom, 26, of Abbey Road, Stratford who had had up to a year’s terror training in Pakistan, claimed it was fine to blow up civilians because “they're all combatants”.

This is just despicable.  Regardless of where anyone stands on the governments decisions of where they send soldiers, attacking mourning civillians during a parade to honour those killed overseas is lower than low.  There's a special spot reserved in hell for these types of people.

 

[daftandbarmy]

This is just despicable.  Regardless of where anyone stands on the governments decisions of where they send soldiers, attacking mourning civillians during a parade to honour those killed overseas is lower than low.  There's a special spot reserved in hell for these types of people.

.... where they will no doubt be co-located with the Parachute Regiment, which has gone there to regroup following the final drop  ;D

 

[daftandbarmy]

'Much feared'? Hardly, especially compared to some of the other joyful activities  :


Britain’s Royal Marine recruits show they have what it takes to become part of the elite fighting forces in gruelling Mud Run 

Notorious run is part of gruelling 32-week Royal Marine training course that 'turns civilians into commandos'
It's held 'when necessary' in the foul-smelling mud of the Exe estuary near their Lympstone training base in Devon

Run designed to improve recruits' stamina, strength, and team-spirit - and to weed out those who aren't up to it


The Royal Marines' much-feared Mud Run is the toughest part of the 32-week training course said to turn 'civilians into commandos', and looking at these astonishing photographs, you can see why even the strongest recruits dread it.


Exhausted, demoralised, and covered in foul-smelling sludge from head to toe, these Royal Marine recruits hope one day to wear the coveted Green Beret marking them out as the elite of Britain's fighting forces.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2318777/Royal-Marines-gruelling-Mud-Run-Exe-Estuary-near-Lympstone-training-base-turns-civilians-commandos.html#ixzz2SEqJyaOi

 

[daftandbarmy]

Sgt Danny Nightingale recommended for medical discharge

Sergeant Danny Nightingale, the SAS sniper jailed for possessing a war trophy, has been recommended for medical discharge from the army, only a day after being told he faces a retrial over the charges.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/10034029/Sgt-Danny-Nightingale-recommended-for-medical-discharge.html

 

[daftandbarmy]

Parents of dead American soldier 'overwhelmed' by Prince Harry tribute

An American soldier killed in Afghanistan will be “smiling down right now” after his grave was picked at random to be honoured by Prince Harry, his father said yesterday.

Michael L Stansbery said it was “just overwhelming” that his son’s grave was chosen out of 400,000 at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia for the royal visit on Friday.

The Prince placed a wreath beside the headstone of US Army Specialist Michael L Stansbery Jr and saluted it as he stood to attention in his No. 1 dress uniform.

His father told The Telegraph that the family had been given no advance warning of what was going to happen, and only found out when their pastor, who had seen the ceremony on the TV news, phoned to tell them.

The Prince, 28, had made a personal request to lay a wreath in Section 60 of the cemetery, where servicemen who have died since 2001 are buried

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/10050871/Parents-of-dead-American-soldier-overwhelmed-by-Prince-Harry-tribute.html

 

[daftandbarmy]

Extra cash for businesses taking on part-time soldiers

Small businesses could be given hundreds of pounds when employees in the Territorial Army are sent on operations as part of plans to boost the country’s reserve defence force.

Under the Coalition’s defence review, the TA is expected to increase from 19,000 fully trained members to 30,000 by 2018.

The proposals represent the most radical shake up of the Territorial Army in its 100-year history.

However, the boost to the reserves comes as the regular Army is being cut from approximately 100,000 soldiers to 82,000 by the end of the decade.

Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday Politics programme Mr Hammond said that the reserves “have been allowed to atrophy over the last couple of decades”.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/10052188/Extra-cash-for-businesses-taking-on-part-time-soldiers.html

 

[daftandbarmy]

Soldiers pay the price

Asking members of the Armed Forces to serve longer tours sets a worrying precedent

Yesterday’s announcement by Philip Hammond, the Defence Secretary, that tours of duty for service personnel in Afghanistan are to be extended to nine months is an unwelcome reminder of the increasing demands being made on our Armed Forces as the Government’s ill-considered defence cuts start to bite. Reducing the number of combat brigades scheduled to serve in Afghanistan from three to two means that those deployed from the end of this year will be asked to serve up to another three months in addition to the normal six-month tour. By way of compensation, they will be paid an extra £50 a day.

The Ministry of Defence argues that having units serve for longer periods brings more continuity at a crucial period in the handover process, as Afghan soldiers increasingly take the lead role in combat operations before British forces withdraw from the front lines by the end of next year. After so much expenditure of blood and treasure over the past decade – the number of British combat fatalities currently stands at 444 – it is important that we get this phase of the withdrawal right. But asking members of the Armed Forces to serve longer tours will not only take its toll on their families and friends, but sets a worrying precedent regarding the demands that are likely to be made on them in future.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/telegraph-view/10056544/Soldiers-pay-the-price.html

 

[daftandbarmy]

This should be interesting... 3,500 soaking wet PC plods from 'dahn tan' London squelching around the Fermanagh cuds, covered in cow pats and mozzie bites. The locals will enjoy watching the fun  :nod:


Thousands of British police sent to Northern Ireland amid fear of terror attack at G8 summit

More than 3,500 UK police officers are being deployed to Northern Ireland for next month’s G8 conference amid fears that dissident Republicans are plotting a terrorist outrage.

World leaders including Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin will jet into the luxury Loch Erne Golf Resort in County Fermanagh for the two day conference which has in the past attracted wide scale demonstrations and public disorder.

But with the event taking place in Northern Ireland, rather than focusing on protests, the security operation is being tailored towards preventing terrorist attacks by groups such as the New IRA and ONH (Oglaigh na hEireann).

Assistant Chief Constable Alistair Finlay who is the PSNI Gold Command for the summit said the G8 conference provided a “great opportunity” for terrorist groups to get noticed on the world stage.

He said: “I've got no reason to say that dissidents won't do something during that period of time. This is the normal backdrop. This has been the backdrop, the sad reality of Northern Ireland over quite a period of time.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/g8/10069410/Thousands-of-British-police-sent-to-Northern-Ireland-amid-fear-of-terror-attack-at-G8-summit.html

 

[daftandbarmy]

Notice the Officers in mess kit at ring side. It's a good thing the jacket is red:


3 PARA have retained the Army Major units Boxing title, but it could not have been closer as their arch rivals 2 PARA took them all the way to the final bout in front of a capacity crowd in Colchester.

After 8 bouts, this pulsating encounter stood at four all, 2 PARA had raced into a 3-1 lead at the break only to be pegged back by first when Liam Giles floored his opponent Jamie Found at Light Middleweight, then Jay Williams beat Ronnie Harris .

The next two bouts were shared, before Heavyweights Joe Allen and James English were sent in to settle things. Allen looked to have the better of 3 PARA who are unbeaten in ten years of Army competition, but he was knocked to the canvas with seconds remaining. Most thought it was enough to win it for the upstarts - the judges disagreed. 3 PARA remain Army Boxing Champions

It was a fantastic night of Army Sport and a triumph for the Parachute Regiment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmm9BwoToXY

 

[daftandbarmy]

Woolwich attack: Cheers for our heroes... we will not be moved

For Britain’s soldiers, there was never any question of hiding. Nor was there any possibility of the public holding back in their show of solidarity.

Proudly marching through the streets of York with cheers ringing in their ears, the men and women of 2nd Signal Regiment — recently returned from Afghanistan — were greeted by thousands of people lining the streets to welcome them home.

In the hours after the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby by alleged Islamist terrorists in Woolwich, south-east London, on Wednesday, the Ministry of Defence had advised servicemen and women not to go out in uniform — an order that was promptly ignored by soldiers who refused to be cowed and almost immediately rescinded.

300 members of the Armed Forces were cheered by well-wishers who waved Union flags and wore Help for Heroes (H4H) T-shirts in an uplifting show of defiance.

The regiment’s commanding officer described the response as a “testament to the character of the British people”.

And the public have shown their defiance in other ways. It emerged last night that £600,000 has been donated to the H4H military charity since the death of Drummer Rigby, who was wearing one of its T-shirts when he was killed.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/10080001/Woolwich-attack-Cheers-for-our-heroes...-we-will-not-be-moved.html

 

[daftandbarmy]

Chris Durban: I sank a German U-boat in 1943, I was just 20-years-old and terrified

As we prepare to celebrate the 70th anniversary of The Battle of the Atlantic tomorrow, Nicholas Milton speaks to a 90-year-old naval veteran about the psychological impact of fighting the Axis' stealthiest weapons

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/history/chris-durban-i-sank-a-german-uboat-in-1943-i-was-just-20yearsold-and-terrified-8629839.html

 

[daftandbarmy]

Army Captain punched policewoman in face after she caught him urinating in an alley

An Army physiotherapist punched a policewoman in the face after he was caught relieving himself in an alleyway.

Captain Dale Walker told the unnamed officer to 'shut up' when she caught him urinating near Charing Cross station in central London.

He then thumped the policewoman in the face and ran away but he was later arrested.
The officer suffered severe bruising and swelling to her cheek after the attack in the early hours of February 27, 2011.

Captain Walker was later given a conditional caution by the Metropolitan Police, ordered to pay £1,000 compensation and write a letter of apology to the policewoman.
But he is now facing the Health and Care Professions Council over the incident.
He admits the assault but denies his fitness to practice has been impaired.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2333474/Army-Captain-punched-policewoman-face-caught-urinating-alley.html#ixzz2UubRULfG

 

[daftandbarmy]

Plans for more army reservists could lead to more PTSD

Government proposals to increase the number of reservists in the Army could lead to more soldiers suffering post-traumatic stress disorder and marital breakdown.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/hay-festival/10086192/Plans-for-more-army-reservists-could-lead-to-more-PTSD.html

 

[Canadian.Trucker]

Plans for more army reservists could lead to more PTSD

Government proposals to increase the number of reservists in the Army could lead to more soldiers suffering post-traumatic stress disorder and marital breakdown.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/hay-festival/10086192/Plans-for-more-army-reservists-could-lead-to-more-PTSD.html

At first when looking at your post my feathers were getting a little ruffled thinking that this was a "less professional" argument such as what some of the comments on the site were in regards to the article.

However, I would agree that for a reservist to finish their tour of duty and then return to work in an environment that really does not understand or fully support what they may have just been through is an issue for a soldier to re-adjust to.  At least in the Reg F you return to being in a place with your peers and superiors that just experienced the same things you did and you have a better immediate support network.  This ofcourse is not just a British problem, but is something we need to look at here in Canada as well.

 

[daftandbarmy]

At first when looking at your post my feathers were getting a little ruffled thinking that this was a "less professional" argument such as what some of the comments on the site were in regards to the article.

However, I would agree that for a reservist to finish their tour of duty and then return to work in an environment that really does not understand or fully support what they may have just been through is an issue for a soldier to re-adjust to.  At least in the Reg F you return to being in a place with your peers and superiors that just experienced the same things you did and you have a better immediate support network.  This ofcourse is not just a British problem, but is something we need to look at here in Canada as well.

Quite right.

I think we're seeing some of this happen now, where a Class A soldier goes NES then is forgotten about in the usual turmoil of unit life in the militia. I know there are some hard working (mainly SNCOs) folks who are trying to keep track of people, but it's more than a full time job, especially when you don't see them every day, and you have your own life to live.

 

[Canadian.Trucker]

Couldn't agree more.  Don't want to derail your thread as I know it has been discussed in other topics.

I have done my best since returning from overseas to stay in contact with the guys I had in platoon, but it is difficult when we were spread out from all different units throughout Ontario.  I've managed to keep in regular contact with about 10 or so, and those that I am not in immediate contact with I follow up on where they are and how they're doing through word of mouth from the others.  I guess I'm one of those people that feel my job didn't end once the tour was complete, because I know some of my pers came back with issues and I don't want them to be forgotten about.  Sometimes just knowing someone is there to listen and help in any way possible provides a little bit of security (even if I'm not a SNCO  )

 

[daftandbarmy]

Couldn't agree more.  Don't want to derail your thread as I know it has been discussed in other topics.

I have done my best since returning from overseas to stay in contact with the guys I had in platoon, but it is difficult when we were spread out from all different units throughout Ontario.  I've managed to keep in regular contact with about 10 or so, and those that I am not in immediate contact with I follow up on where they are and how they're doing through word of mouth from the others.  I guess I'm one of those people that feel my job didn't end once the tour was complete, because I know some of my pers came back with issues and I don't want them to be forgotten about.  Sometimes just knowing someone is there to listen and help in any way possible provides a little bit of security (even if I'm not a SNCO  )

Good for you CT. Wouldn't it be interesting and more effective if we could drive a support system based on people like you - who are good at keeping in touch with others like that - versus having to go through the formal chain of command?