Left-field SA80 rifle request

WITH 17 years of service to my name, I am writing to highlight an aspect of soldiering I have struggled with throughout my career.
I am left-handed and from day one have had to adapt to shooting my rifle using my naturally weaker right arm. As a result, on occasions I have had to “re-shoot” my Army Personal Weapon Test (APWT).

I consider myself a reasonable shot, but find that my right arm tires a lot quicker than those of my right-handed colleagues.

With only a small percentage of the Army population likely to be similarly affected I have no doubt that few reading this will sympathise, but before mocking they should try firing an SA80 A2 using their left hand and see how they fare.

I have heard that left-handed SA80 rifles do exist, so why don’t we get issued them?
The vast majority of rifles/pistols in the Army system are for right-handed shooters, with the operating handle, magazine release, and/or safety mechanisms set up for manipulation by the right hand, and fired cartridge cases ejected to the right.

Scopes and sights are also sometimes mounted in such a way that they require the shooter to place the rifle against the right shoulder. A left-handed shooter must either purchase a left-handed firearm (which are manufactured in smaller numbers and are generally more expensive and/or harder to obtain), shoot a right-handed gun left-handed or learn to shoot right-handed. – Name and address supplied.

Maj Jim Mowie, COS Equipment Directorate HQLF, responds: The question of left-handed weapons for left-handed firers is not a new one.
Trials have been conducted among a group of recruits and the results showed that there was very little difference between the ability of right- and left-handed personnel to fire the weapon successfully. Indeed the relative percentage of left-handed firers within the sample who successfully passed their APWT was greater than that for right-handed firers.
Further investigation and investment into a left-handed weapon is therefore not considered to be needed.
There are other rifles that can be converted to be fired from either shoulder but it should be noted that the accuracy of these rifles does not match that of the SA80 A2.

armed forces should not involve themselves with politics

HAVING proudly served 28 years in the Army I have always held the belief that those in the Armed Forces should not involve themselves with politics. We are servants of the crown irrespective of which political party is in power.

However, in recent months a number of generals, both serving and retired, have aired their views in the political arena. How dare they speak out against the British National Party (BNP) on behalf of all Servicemen. I have come across many Service personnel who sympathise with the BNP and many who do not.

The British Army has fought and lost lives to uphold democracy and freedom of political thought. I accept many people feel that the BNP are racist, but many feel they are not and share their concerns about mass immigration.

The generals have no right or mandate to state a blanket view – based on their own personal opinions – on behalf of the rest of the Army.

Every soldier has the right, just as the generals do, to support the political party of their choosing – even those “mainstream” parties who have proven themselves to be corrupt, dishonest and without honour.

Regardless of rank, can’t we please just keep the Army out of politics. – Sgt D Rowlands, RAF Valley.

scandal surrounding MPs' expenses

I HAVE a solution to the scandal surrounding MPs’ expenses. Politicians should be forced to use the Joint Personnel Administration system to make claims.

Combine this “user-unfriendly” service with limited availability and an incompetent clerk, and MPs would not find it quite so easy to line their pockets. If they can’t make a claim there can be no blame. – A frustrated adjutant.

Sapper SOS

GIVEN the flooding in Cumbria, is there not anything the Royal Engineers can do to assist the village of Workington? The hamlet was effectively halved when the flood water swept away or condemned the bridges spanning the River Derwent.

Our sappers are good at what they do, so surely throwing a couple of bridges across a river shouldn’t be a problem. They could then get the Royal Military Police to control the traffic on them. – Stephen Fletcher.

The news editor, drying off his waterproofs, types: You weren’t the only one to consider the sappers’ specialist skills. See Update

ranked mistake

I SPOTTED a mistake in November’s Ranked [top ten BFBS requests on operations]. At number six in the countdown you stated that 2 PWRR used the Lost Prophet’s song Last Train Home in an online film – they didn’t. The video, which was dedicated to Pte Christopher Rayment, was produced by 1 PWRR following Op Telic 4. – Pte A Lee, 1 PWRR.

The editor, vowing to never again trust the memory of a radio DJ, types: Apologies, we stand corrected. Ranked is still on Christmas leave but will return to duty next issue.

bongo, bongo, bongo

YOUR article on song requests (Ranked, November) reminded me of my time serving in Borneo in the 1960s.

In our battery bar we had a locally-supplied jukebox which had its library of songs updated on a monthly basis.

However, at our insistence, two discs remained unchanged – Bongo, Bongo, Bongo (I Don’t Want to Leave the Congo) by Louis Prima and We Gotta Get Out of This Place by The Animals. These two records were played over and over and were always accompanied by some loud vocals.

Are there any other songs peculiar to tours of Afghanistan or Iraq? – Malcolm Tanner, Reigate, Surrey.

Battle of the bands

LIKE most serving soldiers I wear my Help for Heroes wristband with pride, both when in uniform and civvies.

However, I was recently approached by a senior member of The Royal British Legion who asked me why those in uniform could not wear more than one band.

The individual pointed out that the Legion was also raising money in support of our troops in Afghanistan and wherever else they may be serving.

Can someone tell me the policy on wearing wristbands? I appreciate that there is a line as to how many is sensible, but most soldiers I know wear two – one in support of Help for Heroes and the other their own regiment. – WO2 White, 6 Rifles.

Brig Mike Griffiths, DPS(A), replies: Thank you for your question about the number of wristbands that may be worn in uniform – the answer is one.
The Army Dress Committee recently allowed wristbands to be worn provided that the band in question was in support of an officially recognised Service charity. Wristbands are not to accompany parade orders of dress and only one can be worn at a time. PS12(A) (9621 86078) maintains a list of approved items and Service charities should anyone wish to check what is and is not approved.

‘Time to stop drilling drill?’

AT the risk of being ostracised by certain elements within the military fraternity, I wish to question the relevance of the All Arms Drill Course, which I note is still going strong despite the current climate of stringent cost cutting.

As a former Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) I fully appreciate the importance of drill and understand that it is an integral part of Service life, especially during formative training, but surely the course is out of touch with today’s Army.

The company and troop level drill practised by the majority of Regular Army units is rudimentary at best and any parade requiring greater effort is managed by the RSM.

In the event that an incumbent RSM does not have sufficient experience in performing the more intricate drill movements required for a particular type of parade, surely professional support is available from one of the Guards regiments, who are without doubt the best in the business.

With this in mind, it would seem that the course is run purely as a prerequisite qualification for promotion. History has shown that the majority of those attending are unlikely to use the skills learnt.

The annual cost to administer and staff the drill wing responsible must run into hundreds of thousands of pounds. Surely this money could be spent much more wisely. – Mr M A Kerr, North Yorkshire.

Extend eligibility, please

I WAS very excited when I first read the recent Army Briefing Note relating to the eligibility of dependants of Foreign and Commonwealth soldiers to apply for settlement in the UK (on completion of five years of unbroken service).

However, I was disheartened to learn that the provision only applies to the families of those serving in the UK.

Those with partners or parents posted overseas must wait until their soldier returns to a role in the UK before submitting an application.

The ability to apply for settlement regardless of where an individual is posted would be appreciated.

This minor change to the regulations would reduce the financial burden (visa application fees) currently being shouldered by Foreign and Commonwealth troops when travelling to visit their relatives. – LCpl Mavhera, 2 LSR RLC.

Brig Mike Griffiths, DPS(A), responds: The point you have raised about dependants being able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain while outside the UK is a very good one.
I would like to assure you that the British Army is very much aware of the issue and we have asked the UK Border Agency to confirm whether or not it is possible for dependants to make applications from overseas.
Once we have an answer we will publish further details.

‘Only promote the physically fit’

WHAT is the current policy in regards to promoting personnel who are medically downgraded as a result of training injuries?

Where is the incentive for soldiers to work hard to get back to full fitness within a reasonable time if you promote them regardless? At the moment injured soldiers, and even blatantly unfit ones, are progressing their careers without having to pass basic military fitness tests.

Having previously served in a unit that did not promote unfit soldiers, the trend to do otherwise is unfair on those who complete the tests. How can physical condition be discounted in an organisation that needs to be fit to fight? – Name and address supplied.

Brig Richard Nugee, Director Manning (Army), writes: The current policy is that all soldiers who are recommended and qualified (through education, military and trade) for promotion will be taken to the promotion board. Soldiers are selected for promotion on the basis of their annual reports and their ability to be employed at the next rank.
If a downgraded soldier is selected for promotion the board will seek the advice of the occupational health department at the Army Personnel Centre to ensure that the soldier can complete the job into which he/she is to be promoted.
If the soldier is deemed unable to, and there is no other suitable post, then they will not be promoted.
This applies equally to fully fit and downgraded soldiers.

‘Cut us some slack’

I HAVE a small point to raise about hairstyles. Every two weeks my company sergeant major briefs everyone about how ultra-short our hair and sideburns need to be and many of us are so fed up of being told that we now just skin our heads.

Having needlessly short hair is frustrating and, as a result, when we go out in town we are immediately identified as soldiers.

Many nightclubs won’t allow us in, women automatically label us as “typical squaddies” and won’t engage with us, and the local police keep a very close eye on us. Why do we need to be groomed in a 1950s’ style?

After all, a hairstyle doesn’t dictate the combat effectiveness of a soldier. I know that hair over the collar is unacceptable, but a slightly longer cut than “grade two back and sides” wouldn’t look scruffy.

The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force have slightly more relaxed rules and, when it comes to sideburns, so do airborne elements of the Army.

Why can that flexibility not be extended to the rest of us?

I know there will be platoon sergeants and above reading this thinking that if a soldier wants longer hair then he should become a civilian, but what harm would it do? If longer hair makes soldiers feel better about themselves they will soldier better.

Surely an idea that would improve morale and effectiveness without cost to HQ Land Forces or the MoD is one worth considering. All we are asking for is 15mm more hair by our ears and slightly longer hair. – A frustrated soldier.

Brig Mike Griffiths, DPS(A), replies: Your CSM is absolutely right in enforcing standards of appearance and dress. What the RN and RAF do is irrelevant (though incidently the RAF standards are the same as ours).
CGS recently wrote on this subject to the Army and he was very clear about what he expected. I quote a small part of that letter: “...sideburns are not to descend below the mid-point of the ear and are to be trimmed horizontally. There seems to be some misunderstanding regarding the length of sideburns amongst members of Land Forces. Let there be none.”
So there you have it from the head of the Army. Well done to your CSM; his lead ought to be seen as an example to those in authority who are failing to enforce the correct standards.

redundancy noe entitled to any resettlement

I AM a Non Regular Permanent Staff (NRPS) soldier who has recently been given my redundancy notice following the imminent disbandment of my unit.

This did not come as a shock as I had been kept informed that redundancies would be made. However, what has taken me aback is the discovery that NRPS on redundancy are not entitled to any kind of resettlement, unlike their Regular, Full Time Reserve Service and Military Provost Guard Service counterparts. Why is this? – WO2 (RQMS) G Ward, HQ 12 Signal Group.

Brig David Wilson, Director of Education and Training Services, writes: NRPS personnel are employed under TA terms and conditions of service and consequently are not entitled to resettlement. However, you should be eligible for a redundancy payment and will be given priority when applying for another NRPS post.

Attire taunts are tiresome

ONE of the more disturbing trends regarding current operations is the constant carping about slipping standards.

Having recently read a letter from a senior officer in Talkback which criticised the appearance of soldiers in theatre, rather than commenting on the tough job they are doing and the stamina they are showing, I would like to remind all similar writers that Afghanistan is not Vietnam.

The British Army is not a conscript organisation in which lapses of standards lead to operational laziness.

We volunteer to serve Queen and country and can expect to deploy on tour after tour in Afghanistan (soon after completing tour after tour in southern Iraq, Kosovo, Bosnia and Northern Ireland).

Troops are worked to the bone in challenging environments and the one shining light for them is public support.

I hear there are plans afoot to introduce US-style PT kit to the ranks, and that this is all that troops will be allowed to wear when “off duty” in theatre.

It’s time people realised that scruffy or smart, in football shirts or body armour, long hair or short, the British Infantry is effective and does not need long-range snipes from those who live their operational lives on safe base areas, if in theatre at all! – Sgt Martin Berry.

battery located 70 miles from regiment

MY Territorial Army battery is located more than 70 miles from its regiment and, due to the distances involved, has had a separate sergeants’ mess for which all senior NCOs pay an appropriate subscription fee.

This arrangement has been in existence for more than 40 years, with mess members from the battery’s location attending occasional functions at the regimental mess.

However, we were recently told that this was no longer acceptable and that the “remote” mess members (19 in total) would have to pay for and attend functions centrally. As we are predominantly recruited locally, this decision will deny us the benefits of reaching senior NCO status (unless we travel vast distances) and mean that we will have to pay for something we will very rarely use.

Although Queen’s Regulations stipulate that all SNCOs should pay mess subscriptions, nowhere does it specify that it has to be to a regimental mess.
Despite our protestations over the past three months, we have now been ordered to pay our mess bills or take a voluntary reduction in rank – is this a veiled threat? – Name and address supplied.

Reply from AG’s chain of command: Mess bills are covered in Queen’s Regulations. Although it seems unfair to expect senior NCOs to attend a mess 70 miles away, this is a unit issue and the correspondent should approach his commanding officer.
The view from Land Forces (TA) is that the “veiled threat” of reduction in rank is an RSM “firing for effect” and he would be on very shaky ground trying to bring action for inefficiency on a complete SNCO cohort of a sub unit.

disappointing warrent

I AM writing with considerable disappointment having received my warrant from the Secretary of State for Defence. As a private soldier I had often looked at my sergeant major’s warrant with envy and admiration and pondered the thought of one day receiving my parchment complete with wax seal and signature from the man at the top. After all, to reach warrant officer is a feat achieved by only a small percentage of the Army.

So imagine the anti-climax of unrolling my scroll to discover a photocopied stamp and signature on a cheap sheet of A3 paper. I was expecting something more than a computer-generated certificate. Is this just another case of Defence cutbacks? – WO2 J Moreman, DRCS, Bicester.

fell fully enfranchised

BRAVO! I feel fully enfranchised in the military community at long last. A steam enthusiasts’ threesome on the front cover of Soldier [right, mocked up in response to the letter writer’s tongue-in-cheek criticism of the coverage of gay Service personnel]. Truly a watershed. We’ve moved on so far. – Maj Ian Ballantyne, R Signals.

the need to make finacial cutback

Rolling back the years: An Army despatch rider pictured at Goose Green on the Falkland Islands shortly after the Argentine surrender in 1982

I AM a Territorial Army soldier and like many others have been made aware of the need for the MoD to make financial cutbacks.

Civil servants regularly use couriers to collect items for delivery to other MoD sites. It’s just a thought, but why not use soldiers instead?

The Army has plenty of Land Rovers and POL [petrols, oils, lubricants] points dotted across the country, and soldiers are paid 24 hours a day. Why not use them to our advantage? Bring back the Army despatch riders. – Mr E Emery.

"heads-up on safty idea"

ALTHOUGH S Wilson, “Heads-up on safety idea” (September), believes that wearing a cycling helmet alleviates the risk of serious head injury, I have seen no compelling evidence of this in 25 years of cycling to work in London.

Helmets are designed to mitigate low speed impacts (such as falling off a bike while learning to ride) and are unlikely to be of noticeable benefit if a cyclist is hit by a car.

Evidence also indicates that riders who wear helmets are more likely to be involved in an accident than those who do not and are just as likely to a suffer a serious head injury.

The cyclist I overtook this morning with his helmet dangling from the handlebars where it could be snagged by a wing mirror was obviously aiming for the worst of both worlds. – Peter Larking, D Resettlement, London.

closure of forces post offices

I AM going to be one of those adversely affected by the decision to close Forces post offices in Nato headquarters and agree with Soldier columnist Julie McCarthy (Home Truths, July) that the impact on morale will be huge.

From the brief I was given, I get the impression that bean-counting logic has been applied to this issue – “I’ve reduced my budget and don’t care about the effect”. The overall cost to the MoD will far exceed the £1.7 million they hope to save (if we are to be properly compensated for the loss of this service).

Postage costs for Service families will dramatically increase and while a minor rise in local overseas allowance will cover the quiet summer months, what’s the betting Christmas mail will not be considered.

How will personnel be compensated for a reduced credit rating? If we’re prevented from purchasing from the usual online catalogue shops the credit agencies will not be able to accurately track our credit history and it’ll be even more of an uphill struggle to secure finance on return to the UK.

And what about the next election? Can postal votes be sent from foreign addresses and will they arrive in time?

How many of my friends and family will send greeting cards now that the cost of doing so has dramatically increased?

When Mrs Bloggs finds she has to start paying overseas rates for her son’s previously free (on ops) or standard UK rates (BFPO) post I’m sure she’ll complain to her MP.

Apparently all of the above has been considered and deemed acceptable, which is probably because those who made the decision won’t be around to deal with the political fallout. They’ll be long gone, having taken their OBEs for services to cost-cutting with them. – WO2 David Eyes, SHAPE, BFPO 26.

"credits for cars, but not a computer"

FURTHER to the response to “Credit for cars, but not a computer” (October), I too have just returned to the UK following a long period in Germany.

My credit rating has remained entirely unaffected by my absence abroad. The best advice to offer on the subject is to maintain your UK credit cards while posted overseas and use them for your online purchases.

Keep up with the payments and you will encounter no problems with your credit rating. However, the demise of BFPO in north west Europe (scheduled September 2010) may well rain on your parade vis-a-vis delivery from Amazon! – Maj Nick Morris, HQ Land Forces.

goverment's cycle to work scheme

I WAS a touch annoyed by Brig Griffiths’ (DPS(A)) reply to the letter in October’s issue asking why the MoD has not adopted the Government’s Cycle to Work scheme, through which cyclists can save up to 50 per cent of the price of a new bike. Given the Government’s drive to encourage bicycle use, I feel that the department is not supporting its employees on an issue that would save thousands of them many hundreds of pounds.

Brig Griffiths’ response was disingenuous and misleading, although I am sure that he was the victim of poor advice. He is right to state that the system works on hire purchase, but he was wrong to claim that the bike is returned to the employer at the end of the hire period. The usual method of payment is that the employee pays for the hire of the bike in 12 monthly instalments, followed by a small fee at the end of the period to purchase the bike (usually five per cent of the initial cost).

The second part of the reply stated that an employee would not be able to use the scheme in addition to claiming Home to Duty Travel (HDT). Surely this in itself is not sufficient reason to overlook the programme.

Two years ago, Brig Griffiths’ predecessor replied to my initial letter on the topic, stating that the scheme would be adopted, but that childcare vouchers would take precedence. Since then I have sought updates from his staff, but these enquiries have been ignored. The MoD should allow employees to decide whether they wish to use the scheme as an alternative to HDT. – Name and address supplied.

shortfall of recruits

HAVING completed 28 years of service, I read with concern about the very high frequency of tours and the shortfall of recruits in some of the teeth arms.

I often wonder if the answer is a short-term engagement of, say, six years with no entitlement to married quarters, boarding school allowance, pension and no automatic extension of service.

In return, those seeking a limited adventure would be rewarded with higher pay. I live in France where the Foreign Legion attracts eight times the number of applicants it needs. There are obviously adventurers out there! – David Chown, gentleman of leisure, France.

respect on their final journey

SOLDIER’S recent coverage of operations has been of considerable interest and I’ve been particularly impressed by the treatment afforded to those who have fallen.

However, receipt of October’s issue was marred by what I witnessed on BBC’s Midlands Today. A report of the funeral of a soldier showed his coffin being borne in front of a group of officers who all failed to salute the casket as it passed. In days gone by even our enemies were respected on their final journey and to fail to acknowledge our own is simply not good enough. – Wg Cdr Colin Cummings MBCS, Yelvertoft, Northants.

cycling headgear

I AM writing in response to the letter writer who encouraged the chain of command to issue cycling headgear to combat the number of Service personnel injured in bicycle accidents, “Heads-up on safety idea” (September). I believe the solution may be far simpler than that.

Last winter I had cause to regularly visit a large UK barracks where the main gate to the married quarters is on the edge of a busy road.

As a cyclist in London I well appreciate the need for lights and a high-visibility vest, so was shocked to see soldiers of all ranks leaving the barracks by bike wearing DPM and no reflective clothing, and without lights of any kind.

One would hope that safety standards could be set at a certain level and that the gate guard could remind all those exiting on two wheels of the policy. That said, one of the “offenders” I witnessed during a visit to the camp was an orderly sergeant, so perhaps I’m being over-ambitious.

It doesn’t matter if you’re going 200 miles or 200 yards, be seen! – Giles Morgan, London.

Dawson winner, in off the post

IT was excellent to see Spurs’ Michael Dawson in the magazine last month, “White hot lane” (SoldierSport).

Just prior to deploying on Op Herrick 10 earlier this year, about a dozen of us from 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers were invited by Tottenham to attend a UEFA Cup match.

The first person from the club we met was Michael, who pulled up next to us as he entered the car park and spent a great deal of time chatting, signing autographs and allowing the lads to have their photos taken with him.

All of this was much to the dismay of the security staff as he had blocked access to the car park for others, but Michael’s attitude was that he was looking after the troops and that everyone else would just have to wait.

He was really welcoming, as was everyone else from the club, and Harry Redknapp was spot on.
The non-playing staff looked after us well and the fans we spoke to were really pro-Her Majesty’s Forces.

It is great to see our sports stars and clubs supporting us. It is much appreciated. Come on you Spurs. – Maj Mick McCarthy, QM 2 RRF.

Soldier’s carrot-crunching, Norwich City-supporting sports editor, dreaming of Carrow Road and planning to whip up one of Delia’s signature dishes for dinner, types: I’m with Maj McCarthy on this one.
Far from being a Premiership prima donna, Michael jumped at the opportunity to discuss the beautiful game with SoldierSport and is a fierce fan of all those in the Armed Forces.

refused entry

WHILE at home on leave in Motherwell, Scotland, I was refused entry to the bar/pool area of my local United Services Club (an establishment reputedly for ex-Service personnel) on the grounds that I am a woman.

Apparently any male – regardless of background or history of military service – can enter and yet I, having served and continuing to serve my country all over the world, cannot.
I am absolutely disgusted and don’t understand why or how the club is allowed to get away with such a policy.

I intend to write to the local authorities regarding this matter and will fight to change this rule. – Sgt Karlin Dougal, RMP (SIB), Catterick Garrison.

Shed some light on home safety

I AM due to finish my tour in Brunei and move to the UK in the coming weeks. As part of this process I had a pre-march out of my Service Families Accommodation (SFA) and was asked to complete a number of cleaning tasks which I believe involve a high risk of falling.

With these health and safety concerns in mind, I wrote to my 2iC who in turn raised the issue with the station staff officer.

To my surprise I was told that there is no health and safety policy in regards to SFA. Is this true? Who would be responsible for any injury sustained in the event of a fall in the home? – Name and address supplied.

Maj Keith Fisher, British Forces Brunei, writes: In response to the soldier’s point about health and safety in the home, the MoD does have a policy in that it is responsible for ensuring accommodation is safe for occupancy prior to march-in.
This is carried out via a number of mandatory checks (electrics, gas, water, fixtures and fittings etc) by Defence Estates (Brunei).
When the house has been certified fit for purpose, it is handed over to the station staff officer to allocate.
Once allocated to an occupant, the “residents” become responsible for the maintenance and cleanliness of the SFA under a Licence to Occupy Service Family Accommodation certificate.
A soldier who blatantly ignores their part of the certificate and fails to maintain the property by not reporting damages promptly or not keeping the quarter hygienically clean becomes liable, as not doing so is negligent. The licence states what the occupant is liable for and what we (the MoD) are responsible for as landlords.
In this case the soldier is referring to the issue of “cleaning at height” as a health and safety issue. Although the writer’s point is valid, occupants should not get confused over health and safety in the home and health and safety at work.
For example, in the workplace light bulbs on ceilings are changed by contractors, whereas in the home they are changed by the occupant. Occupants are given the tools to carry out these tasks by the admin support unit. If an occupant does have an issue with having to clean items at height ahead of march-out, they can always hire someone to carry out the task for them as an element of disturbance allowance covers these costs.

Credit for cars, but not a computer

SINCE returning to the UK (and a BFPO address) 18 months ago following a seven-year spell in Germany, I have found that my credit rating has suffered as a result of my overseas posting.

I recently tried to buy a laptop from Comet but was refused credit by the store, a number of credit card companies and even by my bank of 20 years.

In Germany I never needed a credit card, but did buy seven brand new cars on finance. Now back in the UK I can’t even secure £500 credit to purchase a laptop and, having been refused a number of times, have apparently lowered my rating further.

Does anyone have any advice on how Service personnel can secure credit or on how to reassure lenders that those in the Army are not going to be made redundant tomorrow? – Name and address supplied.

Brig Mike Griffiths, DPS(A), writes: Work on this has been done by the MoD as part of the Service Families Task Force, which produced a fact sheet I suggest you read. It is available on the MoD Service community website and details how credit checking works and what you can do to help improve your rating.
It also explains that there are three major credit rating agencies in the UK: Call Credit, Equifax and Experian.
They hold a range of information about you, some from public sources such as the electoral roll and some from lenders such as details of your credit accounts and how you have managed payments in the past.
They all have a legal obligation to provide you with a copy of the information they hold for a fee, and all have dedicated advisers who will help you understand the information or sort out any concerns you may have about it. The fact sheet also explains how to correct any inaccurate information showing on your credit report.
Further work to scope what else could be done to improve the situation is now being carried out by BFPO, MoD and the Association of Payment Clearing Services, which represent the banks and credit card communities.

re-examine their own prejudices

I WAS surprised by the reaction to July’s cover story about homosexuality in the British Army.

Many of the letters you printed in August’s Talkback complained that there was no need to “flaunt the issue”, or to go into details of soldiers’ private lives.

However, I note that there was no such backlash to June’s edition of Soldier, which featured a woman in a wedding dress on the front cover and carried several articles about married heterosexuals.

Both editions of the magazine simply addressed relationship issues in an open, interesting and even-handed manner without going into any inappropriate detail.

Yet Tpr James Wharton’s cover picture and interview provoked outrage from a number of your readers.

I wonder whether those correspondents who claim that they have no issue with or interest in soldiers’ sexuality need to re-examine their own prejudices. – Clare Walsh, Edinburgh.

Who’s applying the brakes?

I AM led to believe that the MoD does not support the Government’s Cycle to Work scheme because there is no one to administer the programme.

If this is the case, I find it very disappointing given the wide usage of bikes across the department, whether on military bases across the globe or in central London.

Surely it would make sense to encourage soldiers to adopt a “green” approach to transport while additionally keeping our troops fit. – Name and address supplied.

Brig Mike Griffiths, DPS(A), responds: This question was asked in a previous letter that was published by Soldier last year. For sometime my staff has been working with the MoD to examine ways of making this scheme work, but as one often finds, what looks like a brilliant idea is just not that simple.
It is a common misconception that the Cycle to Work scheme permits employees to purchase cycles tax free – this is not the case.
The initiative is a tax-efficient bicycle loan arrangement which allows the employer to purchase cycles which are then hired to employees through salary sacrifice.
The employee hires the cycle and must give it back to the owner (the employer) at the end of the scheme.
There are drawbacks to this programme, chief among them being the adverse impact on Home to Duty Travel (HDT), which is currently paid tax-free by virtue of a special concession from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.
HDT could not be paid to a recipient of the Cycle to Work scheme as he or she would be receiving two tax-free benefits for the same journey.
While an individual may make some savings through the programme, these are likely to be much less than the loss arising from an inability to claim HDT.
Civilian employers, in general, may have a Cycle to Work scheme in place, but most don’t pay an equivalent of HDT for daily commuting.

claiming back 19 years of haircuts

IN LIGHT of the recent news that a prisoner, in jail for murdering his wife, has successfully forced the Government to pay for him to have his hair cut (at the rate of £7 every six weeks), could you please direct me to how I should submit my own claim for the same service. Furthermore, can you advise me of the procedure for claiming back 19 years worth of haircuts. By my estimation I am owed approximately £1,120. – SSgt Woolfitt, Training Analyst, Chicksands.

Brig Mike Griffiths, DPS(A), replies: While I do not suggest that soldiers looking for a free haircut should consider prison, I understand that prisoners, whose average earnings are £9 per week, find the cost of a haircut a considerable strain on their meagre resources. So if SSgt Woolfitt would like to refund his salary for the last 19 years less the equivalent of the prisoner’s wage (by my estimation circa £529,862*) he might have a much stronger case for a refund!

* Based on 2009 annual pay scales, staff sergeant in the higher band.

Shocked by great train robbery

I RECENTLY underwent surgery which resulted in two weeks authorised sick leave from my unit. During this period I was required to return to work for a follow-up medical appointment which meant that, as I was unable to drive, I needed rail warrants for two return journeys between Lincoln and Weymouth.

Having used the train to get to my unit prior to surgery, I knew that the cheapest direct return fare available with a Forces Railcard was £63.75.

So imagine my surprise at the total fare of £433.10 using rail warrants, which broke the journey down into four single legs. Even the staff at the ticket office remarked that the tickets represented the worst possible value.

Why have we gone away from using the cheapest route possible? Buying two standard return tickets would have saved nearly £250.

Is the increased cost due to having to use a contracted company to book the travel? If so, in this time of cutbacks, would it not be cheaper to return to the old system of paper warrants? – Sgt C Bousfield.

Christine Green, Business Manager (Rail) DSCOM, responds: Firstly, I would like to point out that it is difficult to compare fares accurately due to the time lapsed since Sgt Bousfield’s travel date.
At the time the soldier made his reservation over the phone with HRG UK Hogg Robinson, he requested two journeys, the first being a weekend date out and a midweek return.
He was offered a return journey “not via London” as this was the cheapest option at £96.60, but this was not suitable as the traveller required an “any route permitted” for his return leg.
The second journey requested was for weekday out and weekend return. Again the cheapest option was offered and this was based on two single journeys with a total fare of £221.60.
There isn’t a cheaper fare available with the train operating companies and a warrant would have resulted in the same fare. I can assure you that the team at HRG will always offer the most cost effective fare based on the traveller’s requirements and it is down to the traveller to be as specific as possible.
Had there been any question at the time of booking that the fare was incorrectly priced then the issue could have been investigated immediately.
I must also stress that the fare of £63.75 quoted by Sgt Bousfield was using a Forces Railcard for duty travel. The normal fare of £96.60 off-peak return is available through HRG and would have been offered in the first instance.

Journey home an uphill struggle

AS a Gurkha soldier in the British Army I, like many others in the Brigade of Gurkhas, am having problems when travelling overseas – including visits to Nepal – as a result of being a Nepalese passport holder.

With no visa for the UK, I am required to show my Army ID card at airports which does not seem sensible from a security perspective.

Why doesn’t the Government issue Gurkhas with a British passport or some kind of work visa for the duration of our service? This would make overseas travel easier. – Name and address supplied.

Ms L Holt, LF Sec (F&C), responds: I was surprised to read that you are experiencing difficulties when travelling overseas and have been asked to show your Army ID card at the airport.
When Gurkhas and all other non-British citizens are enlisted, their passports should be sent to the UK Border Agency to have an Exempt UK Immigration Control stamp inserted.
This is to enable them to leave and enter the UK without restriction.
Personnel are entitled to this exemption for the duration of their service and they and their units must ensure that when a passport is renewed it has an exemption stamp inserted.
There is no requirement therefore for any sort of UK visa. I cannot explain why you have been asked to show your ID card. It may be the case that some immigration officers want to see it as additional proof that you are a member of the UK Armed Forces and your entitlement to your UK exemption stamp. If, however, it is because you do not currently have a UK exemption stamp it may be their only means of checking your entitlement. If so, you need to put this right as soon as possible through your unit welfare officer.
As for visits overseas, British citizens can obviously travel freely through Europe, but anyone travelling to a country of which they are not a citizen may be required to have a visa. The Army will provide visas for official travel overseas, but visas for private visits are an individual’s responsibility.

saving our armed forces millions of pounds

I WOULD like to suggest the following as a way of saving the Armed Forces millions of pounds each year.

It has been made public that there is a severe shortage of money within Defence, hence certain recruiting bans and overtime restrictions being put in place on civilian personnel.

If this is the case then why are we paying simple things like retention and re-enlistment bounties? These payments should be stopped – I challenge anyone wishing to leave the Armed Forces to find a job that will pay them the same wage (with benefits) they are currently in receipt of.

The monies spent training Service personnel are extremely high, so why are we giving money away? Simply raise the minimum service from four to six years, then if the individual wishes to leave let them. There are plenty of people (in civvy street) who will willingly fulfil the vacant roll.

If the person who left later wishes to return to the Forces that’s fine, but they left of their own accord so why give them money when they return?

I know this would cause upset among the ranks, but it is time to be realistic. This solution would raise vital funds in support of our boys and girls on the front line. – Pte A Washbrook, MPGS, Hermitage.

Postal traumatic stress

THE MoD is, quite rightly, conducting a wide-ranging campaign to encourage Servicemen and women to register for their vote.
However, there is little point in registering if the system prevents one from exercising that right.

Soldier’s Home Truths columnist Julie McCarthy was absolutely spot on in highlighting the problem with postal voting, “Battle of Britain’s ballot box” (June).

I have been a registered postal voter since my mother, who had my proxy vote all through my Army career, died in October 2002. Since then, I have been unable to vote as the postal system is incapable of turning around my mail in time.

Now posted to Georgia, I have been serving in successive British Embassies since March 2002, where we can receive and send mail once a week.

For the 2005 general election, my ballot paper arrived the day before the election, with the next post due out the day after it. For this year’s council and European elections it was even worse – the paper arrived the day after the vote.

I’ve heard apocryphal stories that a similar situation exists with troops deployed on operations and Julie McCarthy’s article seems to lend credence to them. I wrote to my MP after the general election to highlight the problem but received no reply. I realise that this is not an MoD problem, but is there not something that could be done to persuade the electoral authorities to send out the voting papers earlier?

General elections are announced at least six weeks in advance and even post to and from Georgia should be possible within that time. – Lt Col N J Ridout, British Embassy Tbilisi, Georgia.

Capt (Retd) M O’Neill, SO2 Discharges, replies: The MoD and the Electoral Commission are aware of the problems with postal voting – difficulties which not only have an effect on the Service population.
The time scales for elections are laid down by Parliament and the Ministry of Justice has been approached many times, to no avail, about this issue. The Services’ respective Families Federations have also discussed the difficulties faced by those using the postal vote from abroad with the Under Secretary of State, who they met with several weeks ago.
Until Parliament decides to change the legislation we are constrained by the present system. And while the MoD has offered to work with the Electoral Commission in using overseas’ garrisons to develop options for electronic voting, this is highly unlikely to happen before the next general election.

how many soldiers have invalid insurance policies

HAVING recently moved back to the UK after a long spell of service in Germany, I thought it was prudent to switch my contents insurance policy to a company on home soil.

I approached my bank – Lloyds TSB – who, on learning that I live in a married quarter behind the wire in Grantham, told me that they would not insure me as I lived in barracks and then rather abruptly ended the conversation.

If this is true, I wonder how many soldiers have invalid insurance policies.

Can you shed any light on why Lloyds won’t insure military personnel in my situation? – WO2 A N Snow, Grantham.

Gareth Gridland, Lloyds TSB Home Customer Services, writes: I would like to apologise on behalf of the staff member who gave incorrect information by refusing a quotation.
I can assure Soldier that we do insure contents of military personnel staying in barracks in the UK and Northern Ireland. I have sent a communication to all of our staff, confirming the above, to avoid any confusion.

RAF REGIMENT'S expansion

Team players: Members of 2 Squadron, RAF Regiment provide force protection around Kandahar Air Base in Afghanistan
Picture: SAC Andrew Morris

I WAS delighted to read the news of the RAF Regiment’s expansion in Soldier and especially to find it in the “good” section of your new Good Drills, Bad Drills column (August 2009).

Many of us in the Royal Air Force Regiment read the magazine with interest in a bid to keep abreast of ground combat news and views, especially when equipment in common service with us all is reviewed.

I know that there will be some who believe that mention of a corps – albeit styled as a regiment – from within the RAF should not be included in your journal. However, while the “soldiers in blue” who comprise the RAF Regiment do not compare themselves with their Army brothers in arms, we do compare ourselves against your standards and those who know us will acknowledge that we make a small but significant contribution to numerous joint assets.

And for those who prefer not to accept our presence quite so warmly (I do read the Army Rumour Service website as well!), I hope they will at least recognise that if we did not stag on at places such as Basra, Kandahar, Bastion and the like, some more of your units would have to.

Keep up the good work and congratulations on the best internal magazine award. – Jerry Riley, Boarding Officer.

Fine-tuning fitness test

I AM writing in response to the letter from Sgt Collins (KRH) asking whether an alternative to the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) could be devised for soldiers who are downgraded, “Downbeat about downgrading” (July).

A team from the REME Arms School, along with medical and Army Physical Training Corps (APTC) staff at Arborfield, have devised and are trialling just such a system. It is early days in the development process but here are the basics:

Creating one test for every soldier who is P3 Limited Deployable (LD) would be difficult, so we are designing three types of assessment. The test taken will depend on whether the soldier has an upper body, lower body or back injury.
Like the PFT, each assessment has three separate events – to be completed one after the other – with age and gender factors built in.
They require the same strength, core stability and aerobic capacity to pass as the PFT, but don’t stress any injury.

The strength tests are based on body mass, so there is an incentive for the injured soldier to stay strong and to keep their weight down.

We hope to design a scoring system, a little like the old Basic Personal Fitness Assessment, that will allow medical and rehab staff to set a recovering soldier realistic goals to achieve.
This is in addition to the 100-point standard that will mark a PFT-equivalent pass.

Soldiers with complex injuries or whose downgrading is not injury-related can, with medical advice, complete the most appropriate test for them.

With consultation between the soldier, the chain of command and the medical and APTC staff, we hope that the biggest benefit will be motivational.

The Army regains a soldier who, while accepting his or her limitations, has a renewed incentive to stay deployable and the individual, by meeting a set fitness standard, can get their self-esteem back.

Running this programme should not be a problem for any unit with a unit health committee or injury working group.

Our first trials, using a mix of P3 LD and fully fit soldiers, make us very hopeful of success – the tests are definitely not an easy alternative.

More local trials are coming and, with the right staffing, we hope to get the system adopted more widely. – Lt Col Ian Winthrop, REME Arms School.

Citizen soldiers

I WAS very pleased to see that your article on conscription, “Citizen soldiers” (July), recorded the fact that National Servicemen served in Palestine. There is a misconception that conscription did not begin until the 1950s, but by that time I and many others had already completed our National Service.

I was conscripted in January 1947 and served with The Parachute Regiment in Nahariya and Haifa. By 1949 I was in Hannover and my “demob” was deferred for three months because the Berlin Airlift was in full swing and many were expecting a third world war.

National Servicemen were full-time soldiers and served in Korea, Kenya and Cyprus et al, so it was very pleasing to have Soldier acknowledge our contribution. – Tony Costello, North Ferriby, Yorkshire.

‘I won’t be driven to wed’

CAN a British soldier who is based in Germany and has a valid European Union driving licence drive a Germany-bought vehicle, with German insurance, on the German net?

If not, why not? The reason I ask is that my German girlfriend and I have recently purchased a car.

We decided not to “British Forces Germany” (BFG) the vehicle as it would have prevented my partner from driving it because she would not be entitled to the associated benefits, such as tax-free fuel.

However, I have been warned by provost staff that I am not permitted to drive the car unless it is BFG registered.

We can’t afford two vehicles and both need a car to get about. None of this would matter if my girlfriend and I were married and I feel that I am being forced into marriage just to comply with Army rules. – Name and address supplied.

Lt Col (Retd) Terry Wee, SO2 G3 Licensing (BFG), responds: Had the soldier rung the BFG vehicle licensing office’s customer service number his question would have been answered. There is no reason why he cannot drive his girlfriend’s car if:
• the vehicle is registered on the German net in his girlfriend’s name;
• he is insured to drive the car;
• he does not put BFG tax-free fuel in the vehicle;
• he ensures that he is fully conversant with German road traffic regulations.

Huge cost of car clanger

I HAVE been living in Germany for a few years now and, until recently, had managed to keep on top of arrangements with regards to the BFG car registration and renewal process.

However, I have spent much of this year away from Germany on a course in the UK and did not realise that the BFG on my car had run out.

While I fully accept that this is my own fault, I am extremely put out by the fact that I now have to recover my car by trailer back to Germany (at enormous expense) in order to abide by the legality of travel, before flying back to the UK to continue my course.

I will then have to fly back to Germany the following weekend in order to drive my car back to the UK.

Why can’t there be a facility in the UK capable of carrying out German road worthiness tests? This would help out those who unwittingly find themselves in my predicament, negate the need to de-register cars during stays in the UK and save the huge expense and aggravation of having to get back to Germany.

Living in Germany has many perks, but the rigidity of the BFG vehicle system can make the whole thing infuriating and very expensive. – Name and address supplied.

Lt Col (Retd) Terry Wee replies: The responsibility for ensuring that a vehicle is roadworthy is that of the registered keeper/owner.
Personnel who are going back to the UK for an extended period should check their vehicle registration documents before they depart to ensure that the road worthiness and registration will remain current until they return to BFG.
If it is not, then it is possible to get a road worthiness test and renewal of registration done before they depart.
For legal and cost reasons it is not possible to set up a BFG test centre in the UK to deal with the small number of cases that fall into this category.

Heads-up on safety idea

IN these days of renewed vigour in re-establishing core values – including soldiers’ state of dress and the length of their hair – I believe the issue of cycling headgear should be addressed by the chain of command.

Sadly in the past few years a number of Service personnel have lost their lives in bicycle accidents and numerous more have been injured.

The majority of riders in the Army appear to refrain from wearing a helmet when either in or out of uniform.
Not only does this present a real risk of serious head injury, but, when the rider is in military dress, it sets a poor example to younger cyclists.

One possible way to alleviate this situation would be to make the wearing of cycle helmets a standing orders requirement. I believe that the British Army should go one stage further and encourage the production of regimental helmets – surely a challenge for every regimental secretary worth their salt. – S Wilson, Germany.

‘All urgent operational equipment needs will be met’

Prime praise: Gordon Brown contacted Soldier to voice his thanks to those serving on the front lines of Helmand
Picture: Cpl Rupert Frere RLC

THESE are tough times for you, your comrades and your families. But every endeavour, everywhere you serve, is making a difference.

In Afghanistan, you are protecting the people by facing down the Taliban and the insurgency. The Helmand Task Force is working with the Afghans and our civilian experts so that the ground you have cleared is held and development can begin.

The security created by Operation Panther’s Claw should help an extra 80,000 vote in this month’s elections.

And as you continue to drive the Taliban further back, we can help Governor Mangal build up the police, basic justice, roads, power, health clinics and alternatives to poppy farming – proving there is a better alternative to the Taliban.

Recently I visited PJHQ and I am getting regular updates from the Chiefs and from commanders on the ground about the operation. I also discussed Afghanistan with President Obama and other world leaders at the recent G8 summit, making clear that the international community has to show its resolve.

And I have stressed to President Karzai the importance of getting more Afghan troops deployed into Helmand and urged the Nato Secretary General to work on burden sharing.

Your effort comes with danger and a human cost, I know. But I also know that despite recent casualties, you are making considerable progress.

All urgent operational equipment needs will be met. We now have over twice the number of troops in Afghanistan as three years ago, but spending on equipment has gone up five-fold, and rightly so.

More than 1,000 new protected vehicles have been bought, including 280 Mastiffs which offer world-leading protection against IEDs – your greatest threat in theatre – and the new Ridgbacks will go out to Afghanistan soon.

There is already almost twice as much helicopter capability as in late 2006 and more will arrive later this year as the Merlins deploy.

Thank you again for all that you do. Rest assured your bravery and sacrifices are keeping Britain safe, and that the whole country is behind you. – Gordon Brown, Prime Minister, 10 Downing Street.

proud mother

I’M the mother of Sophie King from the Dolly Rockers and always surf the net to read what is being said about the girls.

I have never been so proud as I was when I saw your feature on the band, “Army barmy barbies” (July).

Sophie’s great, great grandfather died during the Battle of the Somme and our soldiers are so dear to my heart.

The girls have the British flag displayed on all their promotions and understand that our country would be nothing without our brave and heroic soldiers. – Karen Williams.

Trouble keeping trim

HOPEFULLY Soldier may be of assistance in ascertaining the reason why my hedges have not been cut after 21 months of constant lobbying.

I have formally complained to Defence Estates via letter, email and telephone, and the Service liaison complaints manager has assured me that my hedges are the highest priority. Sadly, I am being “reassured” every two weeks.

The photograph, above, was taken towards the end of May and shows that the height of the hedge has now reached my bedroom window. – WO2 (SQMS) P Davenport, MoD Arncott, Bicester.

Nicky Sly, Defence Estates, responds: There is currently a hedge reduction program in place across England and Wales. The occupant will be included in this and should be visited by grounds maintenance shortly to reduce the height of his hedge to 1.6 metres.

'more to life than money'

I’M writing in response to the letter from a soldier bemoaning a lack of further commitment bonuses, “More to life than money” (July).

I have never received any kind of financial bonus during my 22 years of service in the British Army and I can’t believe how money-orientated the younger generation, which the Armed Forces are fighting so hard to retain, has become.

Whatever happened to pride in the job? The soldier in question seems to be in uniform for financial bonuses and nothing else. – Sgt S Day, Commcen, NCSA Sector, Brunssum.

Royle Family extras? My arse

MY colleagues and I were shocked and appalled after reading the editorial in June’s issue of Soldier.

I for one take offence at being compared to an extra in The Royle Family.

All those in the office where I work wear a clean shirt and tie, their slacks are pressed and shoes are shined. We do this not because we have to but because we want to turn up at work smartly dressed.

We could come to the office in string vests and flip-flops because, in the Civil Service, there is no dress code. Do not tar everybody with the same brush.

In your editorial you also state that Service couples have more tenacity to make relationships work than their civilian counterparts. Is it tenacity or the nannying of the military structure?

When was the last time soldiers had to worry about dental bills, doctors appointments, paying for clothes to wear to work or moving house (with respect of solicitors and estate agents)?

For every problem a serving soldier may have the military system has someone they can turn to for help and advice. Not so the civilian worker.

No wonder so many retired Servicemen and women find life difficult when they return to civvy street. I have rarely read such a one-sided, ill-conceived editorial. – George Packman, DFSS, Worthy Down.

The editor, kicking off his flip-flops and adjusting his string vest, writes: I don’t recall singling out civil servants, but stand by my assertion that, compared to many other professions, those in uniform are clear winners in the best-dressed stakes.

Second helpings, please

I’VE just completed a Telic tour and would like to head out on operations again – this time to Afghanistan at the end of this year.

However, I’ve been told that there is a new policy under review which will prevent soldiers from being deployed again so soon.

What are the details of this new policy and why is it that, even though I’m volunteering for this second tour, I might be forced to miss out? – Name and address supplied.

Maj Julia Parke-Robinson, SO2 Soldier Policy, Director Manning (A), responds: There is no new policy under review regarding tour intervals.
The individual guidelines are based upon a tour interval of 24 months between six-month tours. This marks a level of separated service which is likely to be sustainable without long-term damage to morale. It also allows for professional and personal activities, which are essential to refresh an individual before future operations. This includes leave and career courses essential for promotion.
While it is not illegal for you to deploy on operations again so soon, it would not normally be recommended from a duty of care perspective.

show support

THE MoD encouraged councils, businesses and households across the country to show their support for Britain’s Services by flying a special flag on Armed Forces Day last month.

While this action was welcome, the Government and MoD are still ignoring long-standing demands from veterans for due recognition in the form of a National Defence Medal. – Tony Morland, chairman of the National Defence Medal Society, Salisbury.

Downbeat about downgrading

Pain in the leg: A radiologist with 16 Close Support Medical Regiment, RAMC assesses a limb injury during Op Telic 1
Picture: Mike Weston

FOR a number of years I’ve been downgraded due to a serious sports injury. Unfortunately, the injury has never fully healed and I am unable to participate in activities such as running, which involves impact to the lower limbs.

Consequently I can’t carry out an Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) and prove that I have a good level of comparable fitness.

Would it be feasible for the Army Physical Training Corps (APTC) to devise a test for downgraded personnel? The standard for passing this test could be set by taking a sample of those who complete the APFT and measuring their best efforts on a rowing machine and cross trainer.

Introducing a downgraded APFT would ensure that the vast majority of personnel have to meet mandatory fitness levels, and would serve both as an incentive to regain fitness and to dissuade anybody from feigning injury.

Such a test would allow those like myself to feel slightly better about our downgraded status. – Sgt D Collins, KRH LAD.

Lt Col Ian Davidson, Land Forces Training, responds: I empathise and congratulate Sgt Collins on his desire to get fitter and acknowledge it can be a difficult process to undertake. His suggestion that the Army should devise a test for those unable to demonstrate their fitness in other areas is a worthy ambition.
We must recognise that some downgraded personnel are extremely fit but can never be upgraded because of the need to take further precautions due to medical risk factors.
Having taken advice from the medical branch and HQ APTC, the conclusion is that no two downgraded people are the same and it would be difficult to achieve comparability with a single test across the spectrum of injury/downgrading. For example, someone downgraded for asthma versus an individual with a badly-healed fracture of the leg.

More to life than money

LAST October I signed for my eight-year Commitment Bonus (CB) but I’ve realised that, on completion of this year, there is no further incentive for me to remain in the Army. Why is this?

With a potential 13-and-a-half years still to serve in the REME as a technical support specialist (class one), why should I remain in uniform if the Army’s not bothered whether I stay or go? – Name and address supplied.

Brig Mike Griffiths, DPS(A), replies: CBs are paid as stand-alone payments and are made in return for a commitment to serve for a further specified period. CBs are used by the Services as a flexible measure to assist them in meeting their manning requirements.
It is for this reason that CB payments are targeted at personnel in their first eight years of service, where the manning shortfall is greatest.
Numerous financial measures do exist beyond the eight-year point and I would refer you to Doing Alright magazine (doing-alright.army.mod.uk), which gives greater detail on the advantages of staying in uniform.
There is also the substantial draw of a non-contributory, final salary-based pension to consider.
But joining and staying in the Army has never been about financial gain.
We hope that comradeship, job satisfaction, financial security, promotion prospects and all the other reasons that made you want to join the British Army in the first instance, would continue to persuade you to stay.

Can we bank on PAX policies?

WHY is nobody in the MoD advising our troops that PAX is underwritten by America Insurance Group UK Limited, part of AIG Inc?

The UK branch of this firm is being investigated by the serious fraud office for the part it played in the collapse of its American cousin, which had to be bailed out by the US Government to the tune of more than $150 billion.

No wonder PAX is putting up its premiums! What would happen if the underwriters were declared bankrupt? Would all the tri-Service troops who have collectively invested thousands of pounds in PAX over the years suddenly become uninsured? In such an event, what would happen, god forbid, if someone were to be critically injured? No payout?

Imagine the confusion out in theatre if AIG do close their doors for business. How will individuals organise life/accident insurance from a forward operating base in Afghanistan? – A worried soldier.

Brig Mike Griffiths, DPS(A) responds: Your letter raises two key issues; the viability of AIG and the responsibility of the MoD in advising its serving personnel about personal insurance.
It would be inappropriate to comment on the commercial concerns that you have raised in your letter. However, AIG UK have issued a statement to clarify their position: “We continue to service our clients, paying claims, renewing policies and issuing new policies – and we want to assure you that recent events will have no impact on the PAX Personal Accident and Optional Life insurance that has been purchased by members of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces.
“AIG UK Limited is a UK insurance company, regulated by the FSA [Financial Services Authority] which requires it to hold sufficient funds to pay all claims made by policy holders.”
Ultimately, any decision you make regarding personal accident or life insurance is a private matter. That said, the Army recognises that it has a duty to ensure that products such as PAX are presented accurately to its soldiers.
My staff and others within MoD provide briefings to the chain of command, focussing on those about to deploy. The value of PAX is that it offers personal accident insurance in all circumstances, whether on or off operations; such cover is difficult to obtain from other insurers. Whatever you choose to do, I urge you to both ensure that you have adequate cover and to read the small print.
You may also be interested to know that the MoD already provides compensation for injury or death caused by service through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. In addition, subject to a minimum service of two years for Regulars and one day for Reserves, a lump sum will also be paid for those still serving. Neither scheme requires any personal contribution. Your personal insurance should complement rather than replace this provision.

A plum job, Soldier

I’M writing in response to last month’s prize letter about testicular cancer awareness and www.checkemlads.com

As the subject of your original story, I thought I’d update the readership on our campaign. Since Soldier’s article in 2005, the website has gone from strength-to-strength and we have been granted official charity status.

In addition to the advice and support offered by the site and its forums, we have continued to deliver briefings to military units at home and overseas, to schools and colleges and, most recently, to the police force.

Your letter serves as a timely reminder to all young men within the military community of the importance of self examination. If caught early, testicular cancer can be cured with no major side effects – and the author of last month’s letter is testimony to that.

However, a failure to recognise the signs and symptoms can prove fatal. Testicular cancer is an extremely aggressive disease and can kill in a short period of time. Two minutes checking really could save your life.

I am currently serving in Gutersloh and remain available to deliver briefings and support to units and medical centres throughout BFG, and Philly Morris, from the checkemlads team, is available to do the same in UK. If any reader is worried about any aspect of the disease, they can contact us through www.checkemlads.com

Thanks again for the article, Soldier and checkemlads may have just saved another life! And to the author of the letter, congratulations on finding a lump, getting it seen and, more importantly, bringing this issue back to the forefront of readers’ minds. – Sgt M G Riley, 1 Log Sp Regt, BFPO 17.

3 para's success

I WAS pleased to read about 3 Para’s success in the Army boxing championships in the last issue.
However, to spare our blushes when we meet past opponents in the future, I’d like to clarify a few points. The battalion have now won the title four times (in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2009). We didn’t enter in 2006 or 2008 due to operational commitments. This year 3 Para beat 13 Air Assault Support Regt RLC 7-2 in the quarter-finals, 2 Light Support Regt RLC 9-0 in the semi-finals, and 2 Lancs 5-4 in the final. – Capt Ian McLeish, 3 Para.

PAX INSURANCE

IS there any guarantee that the recent increase in insurance premiums for British Service personnel who have taken out PAX insurance is not being used to finance the bonuses of AIG executives?

If it is proved so, I think that I will “quantitatively ease” my way out of this insurance scheme! – A concerned officer.

proud of today's soldiers

MORE than 30 years ago I served with 2nd Battalion, The Light Infantry and would like to take time to say how proud I am of today’s soldiers. You are doing a great job and I know it must be difficult when some at home do not understand, or oppose, the job that you are doing on behalf of the Government.

Today’s Army is a far cry from the one I knew. We hear so very often that today’s young men and women are not a match on the generations that went before them. This is rubbish. If anything, today’s soldiers are doing far better – under greater pressure – and face daily dangers with courage and honour.
I salute every one of you. Well done lads and lasses, you are the best. – David Speight, Tingley, Wakefield.

Army's tatoo policy

I’M looking for some advice on the Army’s tattoo policy on behalf of my brother.

He’s currently trying to join the Royal Engineers, but has been told by the local Army Careers Information Office that they will not take his application any further until he has a tattoo removed from his neck.

The current guidelines state that the tattoo or branding must not be visible with a shirt collar on. We’ve checked this, and with a normal shirt and tie combination and Combat 95 shirt, the tattoo is barely visible.

Should the recruiter not have taken a photo and sought advice before making a decision themselves? – Mr C Jackson.

remove the smell of sweat

I’VE been reading with interest your Be the best... at just about everything feature (Page 21) and thought I’d write in with a tip which might prove particularly useful to your readers.

Here’s how to remove the smell of sweat from shirts:
• Dissolve six aspirins in a cup or mug of water.
• Pour enough of the mixture to soak the armpits of the shirt.
• Leave overnight.
• Wash as normal.
It really does work. – Miss Christine Rodgers CBO, CSS Branch, 38 (Irish) Brigade.

Chewing the ‘fat’ over ration packs

HAVING made use of the latest Operational Ration Packs (ORPs) during a recent Combined Cadet Force exercise, I was pleased to see that ingredients lists and allergy information is featured on individual packaging.

However, I was concerned to note that a number of individual products (among them biscuits brown, biscuits fruit, oatmeal block and the instant soups) contained hydrogenated vegetable fats.

Independent research has linked these fats to diabetes, heart disease, cancer and child obesity.

Many high profile commercial entities currently make advertising capital from the fact that their products do not contain hydrogenated vegetable fats, surely our ORPs should be able to make the same claim. – Lt A Philpott, Sussex ACF.

Lt Cdr Neil Horwood RN, Defence Food Services, writes: Hydrogenated fats are contained within a number of the products in the 24-hour ORP.
Primarily, the reason we have historically used these is to achieve the maximum shelf life possible out of the rations and also to get a desired texture in the products.
It is only recently that the well publicised issues surrounding hydrogenated fats have surfaced.
It is also worth pointing out that these fats are perfectly safe when consumed as part of a healthy diet mixed with exercise.
ORPs are carefully designed to ensure the right balance and volume of food groups, including carbohydrates and proteins, is provided and to be as appealing as possible.
The MOD, however, does take any issues which may affect the health of our Servicemen and women seriously and we are continually looking for ways to improve our range of products within the 24-hour ORP.

Guards’ ‘bum’ deal

BY courtesy of my ex-military next-door neighbour, I am a regular reader of your publication. As a taxpayer I was appalled to read in the article “Changing the Guards” (April) that the MoD seriously believes that tinkering with the buttons on uniforms can be significant in cost reduction.

What next? Toilet paper rationing? One up, one down and a polisher!

I note that “one button fits all” will reduce production costs by a third.

A third of what cost? How does it equate to the coffee and biscuits bill in the military corridors of power, I wonder.

More fundamentally, why is the MoD apparently bowing to pressure from the Treasury without a fight? The Army needs more money, not less. In support of this statement look no further than the abysmal state of far too much of the Army’s accommodation for its families. – E D Evans, Nuneaton.

The editor, slurping coffee and wiping biscuit crumbs from his keyboard, types: Ahem... may I refer you to our news article, “Buttons saved”, which appears on Page 15 of this issue.

pouch of celox

I AM writing in response to Geoff Charman’s letter in April’s Talkback, which questioned why soldiers are not provided with a pouch of Celox [a blood-clotting agent] each.

The MoD’s Medical and General Supplies Team is currently assessing a number of immediate-treatment options.
Mr Charman can be assured that the medical welfare of all Servicemen and women lies at the heart of all that the team do. – Lt Cdr Susie Thomson, DE&S.