British Armed Forces Federation - Representing the Professionals
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All ranks in Armed Forces blow whistle on web over poor conditions and pay
'We need a union not to strike but to stand up for us'
from The Times July 10, 2008. By Chris Smyth:
Top brass and junior ranks are united in believing that poor conditions, repeated tours of duty and low pay are scant compensation for the servicemen and women who risk their lives for their country.
Last month Brigadier Ed Butler, a former SAS commander, left the Army amid reports of frustration with equipment shortages and budget cuts. He praised his soldiers' “ability to continually deliver operational success, within the well-known constraints and restraints”. Last year Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart Tootal, commanding officer of 3 Para, resigned after reportedly complaining of shoddy treatment of injured troops and appalling housing conditions.
Websites such as Army Rumour Service have become important means of articulating their discontent anonymously.
“If a police officer is asked to go on-call for three months in a hostile environment, thousands of miles away from home, where lots of people are mortaring him/her and shooting at him/her day and night for weeks on end ... how much do you think he/she will get in overtime payments and other benefits?” asks one poster.
“We need a union not to strike but to stand up for us. I really do wonder how many civis are aware of how much a serving member of the armed forces doesn't get paid?” asks one soldier.
Accommodation, some of which is notoriously poor, is another source of complaint. “Given up complaining, moss growing on walls. bathroom floor that moves with water underneath it.”
The tone is one of mystified anger, summed up by the comment “how the hell the Army get such a bad deal in comparison is totally beyond me!”.
fromTimes Online: All ranks in Armed Forces blow whistle on web over poor conditions and pay
Also in The Times, Thu 10 July
Army, Navy and RAF say their lives are at risk from poor equipment
More info
The story is based on the MOD's first tri-Service Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS). The survey took place during the period Jul to Oct 2007.
MOD: First Tri-Service attitude survey published. Includes link to survey.
BBC News: Half of UK forces 'ready to quit'
Sky News: Half Of Troops Consider Quitting: Nearly half of UK troops regularly consider quitting for good, with many saying they do not feel valued in their jobs, it has emerged.
The Independent: The Big Question: Why is morale in the British military so low, and is the mood justified?
BAFF's Adrian Weale discussed the issue on BBC Radio Wales (10 July).
The British Armed Forces Federation (BAFF) is not a trade union, but an independent professional staff association for HM Forces. Membership is open to all ranks, serving and retired, of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, British Army, and Royal Air Force, including the reserves.