Soldier F

[Vlad]

Nor I in truth but I'm not hopeful.

It seems that the Reserves (TA) and the Gurkhas are filling the gaps I am not sure of the figures but a lot of personnel on the Falklands are Reserve personnel. A new Gurkha artillery regiment was formed back in March , which will serve in an ISTAR ( intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) role  and according to sources already earmarked for the Ukraine. On another note, the British Army met 63% of its recruiting goal,  ( April) how many actually graduate I don't know. It seem that the military net is a bit shy about stating those figures.

[klondike]

It seems that Putin's invasion of Ukraine is rewriting all the rules of war. WW1 it was machine guns effective artillery and tanks. WW2 it was air power supporting the ground and naval forces. Now it seems to be drone technology making tanks and armoured vehicles yesterday's weapons plus those, cruise and ballistic missiles along with glide bombs inflicting terror on Ukrainian civilians and it seems recently the Russian economy with the destruction of their oil refineries and other oil related infrastructure.

[Vlad]

It seems that Putin's invasion of Ukraine is rewriting all the rules of war. WW1 it was machine guns effective artillery and tanks. WW2 it was air power supporting the ground and naval forces. Now it seems to be drone technology making tanks and armoured vehicles yesterday's weapons plus those, cruise and ballistic missiles along with glide bombs inflicting terror on Ukrainian civilians and it seems recently the Russian economy with the destruction of their oil refineries and other oil related infrastructure.

Got it in one K, it's now a logistic war, doesn't matter how many trucks, tanks, artillery or men you have if you don't have the fuel to get them to the battlefield. Drones and missiles are good at destroying the enemy's infrastructures but you also need boots on the ground to occupy the land which you are 'liberating' which leads us back to trucks, tanks and artillery. It could be an interesting winter for both sides I suspect.

[klondike]

There's quite a few there that won't get to see the first snow....

[JBR]

We always noted an increase in recruitment and retention despite Capita when there was a punch up somewhere in the world that HM forces were involved in...The Falklands was a great recruiter despite its short duration, Kosovo and the Balkans not so much, no bugger could understand what it was all about. Any of the sandpit punchups were  good despite the lack of kit. NI was monotonous, boring, no aim, no end.  You collect a lot of T-shirts 😀
But now? I am not sure of the quality or motivation of recruits these days. Times change.

I tend to agree.  Just one more outcome of the general changes in this country ever since Maggie was stabbed in the back.
We are on a downward slope generally now.  I shudder to think what the country will be like by 2029.  Reform are going to have an uphill struggle if they form the next government.  Hopefully, with most of the people behind them...

[GrannyMac]

So much truth in all of this. I fear for younger generations, the burden of work is being taken up by fewer and fewer.   I saw the increase of 'rights' without responsibilities during my time working for local authorities.  

A few years ago i'd have been hoping that my grandchildren would leave the UK, but now I would wonder, to go where? 

[JBR]

So much truth in all of this. I fear for younger generations, the burden of work is being taken up by fewer and fewer.  I saw the increase of 'rights' without responsibilities during my time working for local authorities. 

A few years ago i'd have been hoping that my grandchildren would leave the UK, but now I would wonder, to go where?

Australia, New Zealand, Canada, possibly the US (if they have money).  Then, I saw South Africa a few weeks ago, and I was pleasantly surprised how civilised it is, so possibly other such similar places.
Certainly, the UK is sinking steadily.  It will be very interesting to see whether Reform can begin to restore at least some of what we once had.

[klondike]

It won't be easy. The Civil Service and House of Lords won't be cooperating and we don't know what laws and debts are going to be there if and when. If a week is a long time in politics then close to four years is an eternity.

[JBR]

It won't be easy. The Civil Service and House of Lords won't be cooperating and we don't know what laws and debts are going to be there if and when. If a week is a long time in politics then close to four years is an eternity.

You are absolutely right.  Should the country sink beneath acceptable levels of civilisation, it is likely that only the rich and well off could afford to emigrate to a civilised country.  After all, do they also want mass immigration?  Having some money behind you will make you all the more welcome.

I do find it really sad that this country seems to be heading towards the third-world.  We have had a happy and reasonably well-off life throughout our lives.  The so-called 'two main parties' have successfully ended that, possibly for ever.  Of course, what happens now is in the hands of the voters!

[Alex]

Australia, New Zealand, Canada, possibly the US (if they have money). Then, I saw South Africa a few weeks ago, and I was pleasantly surprised how civilised it is, so possibly other such similar places.
Certainly, the UK is sinking steadily.  It will be very interesting to see whether Reform can begin to restore at least some of what we once had.

I thought South Africa had the highest murder rate in the world  ?  White farmers seem high up on the list of victims.

[JBR]

I thought South Africa had the highest murder rate in the world  ?  White farmers seem high up on the list of victims.

Not where we were.  Cape Town was very civilised, and the other places we ventured to were all out in the countryside.  I should avoid Durban and Johannesburg, though.