09 May 2010

The UK Armed Forces Aren't Happy

There are definite opinions about substandard kit, according to the MoD.

A major Ministry of Defence survey of nearly 10,000 servicemen and women found only a third were happy with the standard and quantity of vehicles and other major equipment they are given.

More than half said the extra money they receive to compensate for the rigours of military life was not enough, and 13% of officers said they intended to quit before the end of their current engagement.

The newly published 2009 Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey found British servicemen and women were generally happier than in previous years but they continued to be concerned about pay, kit, morale and the quality of military accommodation.

Many opposition politicians and military commentators have accused the Government of failing to provide UK troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan with enough equipment, in particular helicopters.

Commander John Muxworthy, of the UK National Defence Association, which campaigns for better support for the forces, said: "The forces are overstretched and underresourced and the effects of this chronic underfunding is increasingly being felt.

"They are going on operations more frequently, training is being cut, and rest time between operations is getting shorter and shorter, and it's going to get worse before it gets better."


It'll be interesting to see what changes after the next government is finally formed.

By: Brant

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