ianstone
09-15-2010, 10:08 PM
http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01125/JOHNSON-BEHARRY280_1125045a.jpg Hero ... Victoria Cross winner Johnson Beharry
If jobs go, let's do it decently
By Gen Sir Richard Dannatt
Former head of British Army
THE Heroes' Concert at Twickenham on Sunday was fantastic. I saw 60,000 celebrating what the Armed Forces have done for the nation, and raising money for those wounded fighting for all of us.
And that's what it's all about. The Royal Navy, the Army and the RAF will always do what the elected Government of the day asks - we call it The Military Covenant.
We all know the money has run out and big cuts are on their way, but let's do it decently.
If the numbers in uniform have to come down, let's ensure it's done with dignity and understanding - no P45s delivered on the front line, but a sensible plan recognising past service and preparing those to be released for a new career in Civvy Street.
Many funding problems in defence were inherited from the last government. They set out a good defence policy but didn't put up enough money.
This new government has got a chance to set out a new policy and make sure that this one, though more modest, is fully funded.
<LI class=red-chevron-list sizcache="7" sizset="27">5,000 of Our Boys face ‘cull’ (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/campaigns/our_boys/3126062/Five-thousand-of-Our-Boys-face-cull-suggests-leaked-Ministry-of-Defence-proposals.html) <LI class=red-chevron-list sizcache="7" sizset="28">'Gurkha's face axe in cuts' (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3118996/Gurkhas-face-axe-in-cuts.html)
Cuts mean Who Dares Binn
Wild man Liam’s help for hero (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/3139975/Liams-help-for-hero.html)
GALLAGHER’S dipping into his pocket to help an ex-soldier rebuild his life after Afghan war (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/3139975/Liams-help-for-hero.html)
War wounded face the axe from Army
HUNDREDS of injured soldiers could be booted out of the Army in shameful plans to save cash.
The axe could fall on ANY soldier who has returned to duties after battling back from injury - even those who have lost arms and legs.
Heroes including VC winner Johnson Beharry and triple-amputee Tom Neathway will be vulnerable under the sneak plans.
http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01125/LBdr-Ben-Parkinson_1125049a.jpg Fears ... Para Ben Parkinson
It follows The Sun's exclusive yesterday about Our Boys being betrayed by secret plans to slash numbers and squeeze redundancy and pension cash.
Wounded troops would be vulnerable under barmy rules known as Manning Control Points, or MCPs, which were shelved in 2002 but have been secretly reintroduced.
Soldiers who are so badly hurt they still need constant medical care will NOT be subject to being axed under MCPs.
But others, including amputees, who have bravely fought back to rejoin their units through treatment and rehab WILL - because they are deemed the same as able-bodied comrades.
Last night the stepdad of Para Ben Parkinson, 26 - dubbed the most seriously injured soldier to survive the battlefield - expressed his fears over the move.
Andy Dernie said: "I'm concerned about this - and more worried about those lads that don't have Ben's high profile. They might be let go without anyone realising or making a fuss."
Shadow Veterans Minister Kevan Jones branded the shameful policy of booting out wounded on the cheap "a moral betrayal".
And popular ex-Army boss General Sir Richard Dannatt, who voices his views on this page, also joined in the condemnation.
http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01125/Cpl-Tom-Neathway38_1125047a.jpg Brave ... Lance Corporal Tom Neathway
There had been angry exchanges between MPs in the Commons yesterday over The Sun's revelations.
Bungling Veterans Minister Andrew Robathan tried to deny our expose, saying MPs should not believe everything they read.
But he was left red-faced and under attack when it emerged he was UNAWARE of the Army's own policy.
In documents leaked to us detailing how the MCP plan should be enforced, the Army Personnel Centre in Glasgow said in June: "Soldiers may be considered for discharge using MCPs regardless of their current medical grading."
Defence Secretary Liam Fox yesterday summoned top officials to a meeting.
Sources said he had "deep concerns" at the idea of secretly sacking troops while they are still serving out in Afghanistan.
An MoD spokesman said a small number of soldiers may have to leave "to ensure the right balance" for current operations.
Simple cost cutting, passing the Bill for rehab to another Department
If jobs go, let's do it decently
By Gen Sir Richard Dannatt
Former head of British Army
THE Heroes' Concert at Twickenham on Sunday was fantastic. I saw 60,000 celebrating what the Armed Forces have done for the nation, and raising money for those wounded fighting for all of us.
And that's what it's all about. The Royal Navy, the Army and the RAF will always do what the elected Government of the day asks - we call it The Military Covenant.
We all know the money has run out and big cuts are on their way, but let's do it decently.
If the numbers in uniform have to come down, let's ensure it's done with dignity and understanding - no P45s delivered on the front line, but a sensible plan recognising past service and preparing those to be released for a new career in Civvy Street.
Many funding problems in defence were inherited from the last government. They set out a good defence policy but didn't put up enough money.
This new government has got a chance to set out a new policy and make sure that this one, though more modest, is fully funded.
<LI class=red-chevron-list sizcache="7" sizset="27">5,000 of Our Boys face ‘cull’ (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/campaigns/our_boys/3126062/Five-thousand-of-Our-Boys-face-cull-suggests-leaked-Ministry-of-Defence-proposals.html) <LI class=red-chevron-list sizcache="7" sizset="28">'Gurkha's face axe in cuts' (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3118996/Gurkhas-face-axe-in-cuts.html)
Cuts mean Who Dares Binn
Wild man Liam’s help for hero (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/3139975/Liams-help-for-hero.html)
GALLAGHER’S dipping into his pocket to help an ex-soldier rebuild his life after Afghan war (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/3139975/Liams-help-for-hero.html)
War wounded face the axe from Army
HUNDREDS of injured soldiers could be booted out of the Army in shameful plans to save cash.
The axe could fall on ANY soldier who has returned to duties after battling back from injury - even those who have lost arms and legs.
Heroes including VC winner Johnson Beharry and triple-amputee Tom Neathway will be vulnerable under the sneak plans.
http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01125/LBdr-Ben-Parkinson_1125049a.jpg Fears ... Para Ben Parkinson
It follows The Sun's exclusive yesterday about Our Boys being betrayed by secret plans to slash numbers and squeeze redundancy and pension cash.
Wounded troops would be vulnerable under barmy rules known as Manning Control Points, or MCPs, which were shelved in 2002 but have been secretly reintroduced.
Soldiers who are so badly hurt they still need constant medical care will NOT be subject to being axed under MCPs.
But others, including amputees, who have bravely fought back to rejoin their units through treatment and rehab WILL - because they are deemed the same as able-bodied comrades.
Last night the stepdad of Para Ben Parkinson, 26 - dubbed the most seriously injured soldier to survive the battlefield - expressed his fears over the move.
Andy Dernie said: "I'm concerned about this - and more worried about those lads that don't have Ben's high profile. They might be let go without anyone realising or making a fuss."
Shadow Veterans Minister Kevan Jones branded the shameful policy of booting out wounded on the cheap "a moral betrayal".
And popular ex-Army boss General Sir Richard Dannatt, who voices his views on this page, also joined in the condemnation.
http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01125/Cpl-Tom-Neathway38_1125047a.jpg Brave ... Lance Corporal Tom Neathway
There had been angry exchanges between MPs in the Commons yesterday over The Sun's revelations.
Bungling Veterans Minister Andrew Robathan tried to deny our expose, saying MPs should not believe everything they read.
But he was left red-faced and under attack when it emerged he was UNAWARE of the Army's own policy.
In documents leaked to us detailing how the MCP plan should be enforced, the Army Personnel Centre in Glasgow said in June: "Soldiers may be considered for discharge using MCPs regardless of their current medical grading."
Defence Secretary Liam Fox yesterday summoned top officials to a meeting.
Sources said he had "deep concerns" at the idea of secretly sacking troops while they are still serving out in Afghanistan.
An MoD spokesman said a small number of soldiers may have to leave "to ensure the right balance" for current operations.
Simple cost cutting, passing the Bill for rehab to another Department