- I’m Bloody disgusted -
This is part of my ‘Petition’, [“Britain failing its armed forces”] I’m preparing at the moment with the intentions of sending it to the chief buffoon in his lair up in Westminster, I have no doubt that it wont do any good but at least I’m trying to make my thoughts and feelings felt.
Is Britain failing its armed forces?
Britain has failed to live up to its duty of care to its servicemen and women, the Royal British Legion has claimed [and I do]. But what kind of deal exists between the UK and its armed forces? When soldiers risk their lives "for Queen and country" what can they expect in return? - [Very little].
Over generations, an unspoken pact emerged between society and the military. - [True].
If you are prepared to make terrible sacrifices, we told our soldiers, then you and your families will be looked after and treated fairly. - [Not true].
The concept may have existed for a long time (some say its origins can be traced back to the time of Henry VIII), but a written "military covenant" has only existed since 2000, and then only for the army. - [Really, well its a piss poor covenant].
Its core principles are taken to apply across all three services.
In Army Doctrine Publication, Volume 5, the covenant warns soldiers they may be called upon to make "the ultimate sacrifice" and "forgo some of the rights enjoyed by those outside the Armed Forces." - [What rights are these].
But in return, it says: "British soldiers must always be able to expect fair treatment, to be valued and respected as individuals, and that they (and their families) will be sustained and rewarded by commensurate terms and conditions of service."
[Yeah, Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, 23, was injured by a land-mine in September. He is reportedly one of the most seriously injured soldiers to survive].
Payment for injuries: Loss of legs - £115,000, Brain injury - £34,500, Fractures to arm - £2,650, Remaining 34 injuries - no payment
He lost both his legs as well as suffering a brain injury, fractures to his skull, cheekbone, nose, jaw, pelvis and vertebrae, as well as serious damage to his spleen and chest.
The paratrooper, who will need special medical care for the rest of his life, was awarded £152,150. A derisory amount, bloody disgusting].
Six years later the military covenant is under strain. [Now there’s a surprise!!!].
The Royal British Legion, which represents the interests of Britain's serving and former military personnel, has warned that government is in danger of not honouring its part of the bargain. [When has it ever?].
On the eve of the party conference season, and with a general election possibly looming, the Legion is urging the public to lobby for improvements in compensation, physical and mental healthcare and support for bereaved families. [They will promise all and then do nothing].
The military, and particularly the army, is facing extreme pressures. [When haven’t they]
Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have, of course, resulted in death and injury. But they have also put a sometimes harsh spotlight on how the government supports service personnel and their families.
Bereaved families waiting years for inquests; soldiers returning from tough tours of duty to shabby accommodation; soldiers suffering post-traumatic stress disorder and feeling let down by the system: a steady flow of such stories in recent years have caused senior military commanders to wonder if the covenant is in danger of being abused.
When local residents living near a military rehabilitation centre in Surrey objected to a nearby property being converted to accommodate family members visiting injured relations, some wondered if society as a whole was in danger of turning its back on the military. [Disgusting, NIMBY - they should be ashamed of themselves].
The Legion is demanding improvements in three key areas: physical and mental healthcare, support for bereaved families and compensation for those who are injured.
This last issue was highlighted by the case of Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson whose award of £150,000 for severe multiple injuries was criticised by his family and campaigners.
The Legion says there are still "fundamental problems" with a new armed forces compensation scheme introduced in 2005.
It says awards are not generous enough and it condemns the fact that in cases of multiple injury lump sum payments can only be made for three of them. [Why only three?]
Following the publicity surrounding Lance Bombardier Parkinson's compensation award, the MoD launched a review of similar cases.
Armed forces minister Bob Ainsworth says "significant progress" is being made in many of the areas highlighted by the Royal British Legion, but he admits that "fulfilling our part of the deal is not always easy and takes both time and money". [Significant progress is being made - Yeah, what? - "fulfilling our part of the deal is not always easy and takes both time and money". - That statement just about sums up what the buffoons think of our Armed Force’s - Take as much time settling the claim, perhaps it might go away. Amount of compensation, the least amount possible and then let them fight for more - Right!]
Words and report by Paul Adams BBC defence correspondent - Italics are mine.
Note: One more post to come: 'Army chief warns of social 'gulf''.
Over generations, an unspoken pact emerged between society and the military. - [True].
If you are prepared to make terrible sacrifices, we told our soldiers, then you and your families will be looked after and treated fairly. - [Not true].
The concept may have existed for a long time (some say its origins can be traced back to the time of Henry VIII), but a written "military covenant" has only existed since 2000, and then only for the army. - [Really, well its a piss poor covenant].
Its core principles are taken to apply across all three services.
In Army Doctrine Publication, Volume 5, the covenant warns soldiers they may be called upon to make "the ultimate sacrifice" and "forgo some of the rights enjoyed by those outside the Armed Forces." - [What rights are these].
But in return, it says: "British soldiers must always be able to expect fair treatment, to be valued and respected as individuals, and that they (and their families) will be sustained and rewarded by commensurate terms and conditions of service."
[Yeah, Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, 23, was injured by a land-mine in September. He is reportedly one of the most seriously injured soldiers to survive].
Payment for injuries: Loss of legs - £115,000, Brain injury - £34,500, Fractures to arm - £2,650, Remaining 34 injuries - no payment
He lost both his legs as well as suffering a brain injury, fractures to his skull, cheekbone, nose, jaw, pelvis and vertebrae, as well as serious damage to his spleen and chest.
The paratrooper, who will need special medical care for the rest of his life, was awarded £152,150. A derisory amount, bloody disgusting].
Six years later the military covenant is under strain. [Now there’s a surprise!!!].
The Royal British Legion, which represents the interests of Britain's serving and former military personnel, has warned that government is in danger of not honouring its part of the bargain. [When has it ever?].
On the eve of the party conference season, and with a general election possibly looming, the Legion is urging the public to lobby for improvements in compensation, physical and mental healthcare and support for bereaved families. [They will promise all and then do nothing].
The military, and particularly the army, is facing extreme pressures. [When haven’t they]
Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have, of course, resulted in death and injury. But they have also put a sometimes harsh spotlight on how the government supports service personnel and their families.
Bereaved families waiting years for inquests; soldiers returning from tough tours of duty to shabby accommodation; soldiers suffering post-traumatic stress disorder and feeling let down by the system: a steady flow of such stories in recent years have caused senior military commanders to wonder if the covenant is in danger of being abused.
When local residents living near a military rehabilitation centre in Surrey objected to a nearby property being converted to accommodate family members visiting injured relations, some wondered if society as a whole was in danger of turning its back on the military. [Disgusting, NIMBY - they should be ashamed of themselves].
The Legion is demanding improvements in three key areas: physical and mental healthcare, support for bereaved families and compensation for those who are injured.
This last issue was highlighted by the case of Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson whose award of £150,000 for severe multiple injuries was criticised by his family and campaigners.
The Legion says there are still "fundamental problems" with a new armed forces compensation scheme introduced in 2005.
It says awards are not generous enough and it condemns the fact that in cases of multiple injury lump sum payments can only be made for three of them. [Why only three?]
Following the publicity surrounding Lance Bombardier Parkinson's compensation award, the MoD launched a review of similar cases.
Armed forces minister Bob Ainsworth says "significant progress" is being made in many of the areas highlighted by the Royal British Legion, but he admits that "fulfilling our part of the deal is not always easy and takes both time and money". [Significant progress is being made - Yeah, what? - "fulfilling our part of the deal is not always easy and takes both time and money". - That statement just about sums up what the buffoons think of our Armed Force’s - Take as much time settling the claim, perhaps it might go away. Amount of compensation, the least amount possible and then let them fight for more - Right!]
Words and report by Paul Adams BBC defence correspondent - Italics are mine.
Note: One more post to come: 'Army chief warns of social 'gulf''.
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2 comments:
It is despicable the way the U.S. has been treating their military, and now to read reports of the same thing happening in Great Britain. Well, let's just say that I need to take a chill-pill because I get too worked up.
You've taken a step to get things changed just by caring enough to post this article here. When are others going to care enough to do something about the atrocious way our servicemen and women are being mis-treated?
Hi Geeky Tai-Tai.
Thank you kindly for your comment.
A reply to your comment, coming soon as a post on my page 2.
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