British Troops Face Abuse And Discrimination For Wearing Their Uniforms In Public

Let Down By Their Countrymen: How Our Forces Often Feel Unappreciated -- The Telegraph

Members of the Armed Forces are suffering abuse and discrimination on Britain’s streets just for wearing their uniforms in public.

A survey of more than 9,100 servicemen discloses that almost one in five military personnel has been refused service in pubs, hotels and shops because they were in uniform.

Six per cent have been attacked in the street, while 21 per cent have reported strangers coming up to them and shouting abuse.

In one case, a member of the Royal Navy was told by his son’s head teacher to stop wearing his uniform on the school run because it “upset the parents”.

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My Comment: U.S. soldiers are definitely not treated by their public in such a disrespectful manner .... and I know that in Canada (where I live) .... the soldiers (with exception of the odd nut) here have never been treated like that on the street

Pay Cuts Are Eroding Morale In British Armed Forces

For two years starting next April, a pay cap will apply to all members of the Armed Forces, including front-line troops on the lowest salaries Photo: PA

Pay Cuts Eroding Morale In Armed Forces, Report Warns -- The Telegraph

Pay cuts and other reductions in allowances “risk damaging the morale and motivation” of Armed Forces personnel, an official review has found.

The Armed Forces Pay Review Body has also questioned plans to freeze pay for junior Services personnel on the front line from next year, telling ministers to show more “flexibility” on wages in future.

The challenge from the Government’s independent pay advisers has put fresh pressure on ministers over their treatment of the Armed Forces and their honouring of the Military Covenant. The independent body made the observations in its annual report for 2012-13, when military salaries over £21,000 will be frozen and a range of allowances cut.

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My Comment: Pay cuts are eroding morale .... I will put this in my "DUH!!!!" category.

Paycuts For Returning British Paratroopers From Afghanistan

British forces in Afghanistan. Reuters

Paratroopers Hit By Pay Cut On Return From Afghanistan -- The Telegraph

Thousands of paratroopers who have just returned from Afghanistan face a pay cut of as much as 10 per cent as the Ministry of Defence attempts to save more money.

Army chiefs have decided to end a supplement paid to each member of the regiment for parachuting. It is worth more than £2,000 a year.

The MoD is struggling with an estimated £1 billion shortfall in its budget for the current financial year. Cutting the so-called Para Pay bonus will save more than £4 million a year. But it will be a significant blow to up to 4,000 soldiers just back from a gruelling tour of Helmand, many of whom take home little more than £1,000 a month.

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My Comment: I guess the Brits have decided that a minimum wage military is the way to go for them.

It Appears That England Now Fires Their Active Duty Soldiers By Email

MoD Sacks Soldiers By Email -- The Telegraph

The Ministry of Defence has apologised after a reported 38 soldiers - including one serving on the Afghan front line - were sacked by email.

The men, all warrant officers, were told they were losing their jobs because "the Army has to make significant cutbacks", according to The Sun.

They have completed several decades' service and continued in the Army on a rolling contract called the Long Service List.

Due to an error they were given the news that their contracts would be terminated in 12 months by email instead of in person.

The message was reported to have said: "In my capacity as the Career Manager for the Versatile Engagement Long Career (VEng LC) and Long Service List (LSL), I write to notify you that with regret, I must issue you with 12 months' Notice of Termination.

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My Comment: I know how they feel. Years ago I was working at a company (5 years service) that I loved and I learned I was being fired by a memo put with my paycheck (and before Christmas). Pink slip, email .... it is all the same. But soldiers being treated this way .... that is not cool.

No Kissing At Midnight On New Year`s Day

Comrades in arms: Married couple Neil and Michelle Lewis, who met in the Army, will be spending New Year together at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan

No Kissing At Midnight: Armed Forces Couple Will See In The New Year On Afghanistan Front Line -- The Daily Mail

It's normal for a husband and wife to celebrate New Year together, and they might even get out somewhere new.

But Neil and Michelle Lewis will be marking the end of 2010 on the front line in Afghanistan, where both are serving with the armed forces.

And, although they will welcome 2011 with a bottle of bubbly at their base in Helmand Province, they won't be allowed to kiss on the stroke of midnight as it is banned by the Army.

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My Comment: No kissing permitted .... yeah right.

Massive Defense Cutbacks Has Demoralized And Increased Dissension Within The British Military

New Leak Exposes MoD Fury At Defence Cutbacks -- The Telegraph

Exclusive: David Cameron's defence review has demoralised the Armed Forces, strained relations with allies and ignored significant military advice, a leaked Ministry of Defence document has disclosed.

It was rushed and its handling "badly damaged the confidence and morale of our personnel," the paper says.

The document, seen by The Daily Telegraph, was prepared by a board of military officers and senior officials working for Dr Liam Fox, the Defence Secretary, for a secret Whitehall assessment of the process.

The Prime Minister will face questions about the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) from senior MPs On Thursday.

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Update: Was The MoD Leak Really The Work Of A 'Junior Official', As Liam Fox Claims? -- The Telegraph

My Comment: It is obvious that there is dissension within the rank and file of the British military. Logically, when the institution that you have given your entire professional life to is gutted and dismembered by your political leaders .... there is going to be some resentment. In Britain's case, that dissension has been through the release of leaks, and/or leaving the service when one's contract is up.

Gordon Brown Snubbed By Soldiers' 'Curtain' Protest

From Times Online:

Gordon Brown was snubbed by badly injured Afghan veterans when they closed curtains round their beds during a hospital visit and refused to speak to him.

More than half the soldiers being treated at the Selly Oak hospital ward in Birmingham either asked for the curtains to be closed or deliberately avoided the prime minister, according to several of those present.

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My Comment: This is unprecedented. I have never heard of soldiers disrespecting a UK Prime Minister in this way.