British Armed Forces Federation - Representing the Professionals
Independent professional staff association for HM Forces: tri-service, all ranks, regulars + reserves
Joining enquiries - call 0800 458 1956
General news
Sex discrimination soldier seeks £400,000 from MOD
BAFF's Douglas Young spoke on Radio 5 Live's Drive Time programme in advance of the screening of a report on an undercover investigation into bullying of recruits at Catterick Garrison. Condemning bullying and any overtones of racism which might feature in the programme, he also pointed out that the army's 'duty of care' included the duty to provide fighting personnel with robust and thorough training, and warned against hasty conclusions based on what might turn out to be hearsay 'evidence'.
BBC News, 18 Sep 08: Army trainers suspended from role
Ministry of Defence: MOD responds to BBC 'bullying' report
SSAFA Forces Help - Confidential Support Line
Having won the VC 'not necessarily strong tie with UK', says Home Office
Guardian, 17 Sep 08: Gurkhas need strong ties to stay in UK, court told
The mother of crippled Royal Marine Ben McBean has criticised his £161,000 compensation offer. BAFF's Executive Chairman Douglas Young discussed the situation - including pending improvements to the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme - on BFBS Radio 2's Glen Mansell Show
The Sun, 17 Sep 08: £161k is no way to help a hero
Pay our soldiers more, say voters
Frederick Forsyth indicts Brown over soldiers’ deaths
Actress Joanna Lumley will march with the Gurkhas in London to highlight their fight for rights to settle in Britain and better Army pensions
Press Association 12 Sep 08: Actress to march for Gurkhas rights
Yorkshire Post 15 Sep 08 - Martin Howe: They fought for us... now we must defend the Gurkhas
Women head for war in record numbers
Free tickets for armed forces for Rugby League's Gillette Fusion International
Soldier refused room by Surrey hotel. BAFF's Douglas Young discussed the issue with Conservative MP Patrick Mercer MP on BBC Radio Wales 'Good Morning Wales' programme
BBC News Wales 04 Sep 08 - Soldier is refused room at hotel
Cameron says troops getting raw deal: R&R dates should start when they arrive home, not when they depart duty
MOD teams up with The Sun to launch military awards
Families bereaved in Afghanistan Nimrod explosion sue MoD
One in 11 prisoners serving time in UK jails is a former member of the armed forces, a new report reveals
National Association of Probation Officers briefing note: Ex-Armed Forces Personnel and the Criminal Justice System. Recommendations include:
Consideration should be given to creating a Services Representation Body, similar in function to that which exists for the ranks in the Police.
Veterans in Prison (V.I.P) website 'founded by ex-soldiers because of the shockingly high numbers of veteran soldiers in the prison population'
Sunday Telegraph, 31 Aug 08: Thousands of war veterans locked in British prisons
MailOnline: Number of ex-servicemen in jail nearly doubles in four years
in the news.co.uk: Over 8,000 military veterans in jail, says NAPO
BBC News: Jails 'hold 8,500 ex-servicemen'
Observer editorial : We have a duty to help soldiers after conflict
(USA): Man wants to start alternative court program for war veterans
US Department of Justice statistical study - Veterans in Prison or Jail
Armed Forces facing shortfall of almost 6,000 soldiers, sailors and airmen
Iraqi workers who helped British troops 'left to death squads'
Northern Ireland Commemorative Service tickets oversubscribed
Post-traumatic stress in soldiers ‘increases risk of heart attacks’
'Army suffering from officer shortfall'
'RAF is so short of frontline airmen in the war against terror it is sending a recruiting team to Jamaica'
on this website: Army 'may recruit from Jamaica'
on this website: Commonwealth and foreign personnel
Poland to help Iraqi interpreters
on this website: Debt of honour
- Surgeon General responds to dedicated military hospital criticism
- 'Grieving families fight for legal aid to afford expert help at inquests'
- full story (13 Aug 08) at Times Online
- Times 13 August: Father told ‘You won’t need a lawyer’
- Guardian 13 August: Plans for 'secret inquests' face defeat in Lords
- PressGazette.co.uk, 15 August: Fight is on to halt government plans that would ban reporters from inquests
- Uproar at plan to hold inquests in secret
Times, 12 Aug, commentary: How ministers failed to gag coroners over Forces
Times leading article, 12 Aug: Plans by the Government to hold inquests in secret when they involve what it deems sensitive intelligence are a barrier to justice
on this website: Armed Forces-related inquests and human rights
Ministry of Justice: Draft Coroners Bill
- Service personnel to enjoy free Scottish Premier League football
New bursaries for Army recruits
- MOD News 7 Aug 08: Army offers secure future to student soldiers
- Mirror.co.uk: Army to pay you to learn
- Army jobs website: Further education bursary
- on this website: Joining HM Forces