Armed Forces Day
Posted 27th June 2009 at 05:17 PM by Yorkist
All over the country today there have been parades, concerts and other tributes to our armed forces, in recognition of all that they do for us and the sacrifices they continue to make for this country. As the daughter of soldier, brought up mainly on military installations all over the world, I am glad that the country has the opportunity to show its appreciation for the military. This is public recognition that is well overdue, in my opinion.
And yet ... this was another one of those jolly wheezes of the government. You know, the same government that keeps sending our serviceman to fight unwinnable wars in far off corners of the world, supposedly in defence of this country, but actually in defence of ... what? To add insult to injury, they are not sent in sufficient numbers to do the job properly, they are sent with inadequate or missing equipment, their families are left to wait and worry for them in sub-standard accommodation.
No doubt the government will take the credit for the outstanding success of the first Armed Forces Day. Credit that is actually due to the ordinary men and women of this country, both those who serve, and those who support those who serve. I wonder what the public's reaction would be if it were widely known that the starting salary for a new soldier is £13,377.16? I would quote the hourly rate, but of course there isn't one: soldiers are expected to work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, if the job demands it.
Of course, service pay has always been low. People don't join up to get rich. Over recent years, however, the government has reduced the level of pensions and set up systems to claw back some of that pay, with schemes like 'Pay as You Dine' and accommodation charges. Quite a contrast to MPs' pay and expenses, eh?
There are rumours that Headley Court (which seems to be largely supported by funding from 'Help for Heroes' anyway) is to close. The government is having a 're-think' about medical care for those injured in the service of their country. No doubt this rethink (which is to take a year) will involve quangos and special committees, with all their associated per diems and expenses (or jobs for the boys, to cut across the bullshit). Do you think it will result in better medical care for serving and veteran servicemen? Colour me cynical, but I doubt it.
So anyway, lads and lasses, our brave and true, the ones who stand on the fence to keep us safe, I salute you. Happy Armed Forces Day. We really do appreciate you, despite all that our elected representatives are failing to do for you.
And yet ... this was another one of those jolly wheezes of the government. You know, the same government that keeps sending our serviceman to fight unwinnable wars in far off corners of the world, supposedly in defence of this country, but actually in defence of ... what? To add insult to injury, they are not sent in sufficient numbers to do the job properly, they are sent with inadequate or missing equipment, their families are left to wait and worry for them in sub-standard accommodation.
No doubt the government will take the credit for the outstanding success of the first Armed Forces Day. Credit that is actually due to the ordinary men and women of this country, both those who serve, and those who support those who serve. I wonder what the public's reaction would be if it were widely known that the starting salary for a new soldier is £13,377.16? I would quote the hourly rate, but of course there isn't one: soldiers are expected to work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, if the job demands it.
Of course, service pay has always been low. People don't join up to get rich. Over recent years, however, the government has reduced the level of pensions and set up systems to claw back some of that pay, with schemes like 'Pay as You Dine' and accommodation charges. Quite a contrast to MPs' pay and expenses, eh?
There are rumours that Headley Court (which seems to be largely supported by funding from 'Help for Heroes' anyway) is to close. The government is having a 're-think' about medical care for those injured in the service of their country. No doubt this rethink (which is to take a year) will involve quangos and special committees, with all their associated per diems and expenses (or jobs for the boys, to cut across the bullshit). Do you think it will result in better medical care for serving and veteran servicemen? Colour me cynical, but I doubt it.
So anyway, lads and lasses, our brave and true, the ones who stand on the fence to keep us safe, I salute you. Happy Armed Forces Day. We really do appreciate you, despite all that our elected representatives are failing to do for you.
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