Territorial Army told to stop training for six months to save money - Times Online That's right, 6 months with no training at all. What on earth is the government thinking? Despite what the ignorant and ill informed may think the TA isn't a 'national guard' (no offense to any NG'ers but it simply isn't), nor is it the 'Dad's Army' it once was. With approximately 70% of trained TA soldiers having deployed in the last few years and more going in the near future it is a far cry from the cold war 'force of last resort.' TA soldiers serve as individual replacements within regular units bringing them up to fighting strength where they would otherwise wind up short handed. They also serve as formed units doing essential tasks such as providing many of the staff in the military hospital, base protection and surveillance tasks. It is no exaggeration to say that without the TA the regular army can't do it's job. So how will this affect us? Well, they say it won't however since troops can't train until next year they won't be able to qualify for bounties (the tax free bonus at the end of the financial year, in lieu of pension and numerous other benefits regulars get but we don't), skill-fade will leave troops unable to fulfil their roles effeciently when they do return and on a very simple level if drill halls aren't open how are folks going to be able to volunteer to go on tour? This could go one of two ways, either there will be a review and the government will have to put money into the TA to make up for the damage or you can kiss bye bye to the TA itself.
The sad reality is that the Goverment is only ever associated with the Government, and other branches are of no concern to them.
Labour has damaged us and the repair to our country will be a very long road. Just a side note from a good mate of mind... "Thank you Gordon Brown for stealing 40% of my pension hope you....." Well you get the picture. Back to the subject at hand, will the people of this country speak out? I will, another letter in the post for my MP. That is to say, is they do not go on strike this week.
I'll be writing to my MP too though I have a feeling he'll be up in arms already. I'm always willing to look for the up side in anything but honestly, there is nothing good that can come out of this!
