Army brass to be slashed.

[Von Smallhausen]

It has been announced that the numbers in senior British Army officers are to be cut. According to the BBC article, we have 200 generals and brigadiers. What surprised me is that the US Army has around 300 generals and brigadiers for an army five times the size.

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30962007

I'd be interested to hear the views of our army members past and present on their views.

 

[StriderX]

Probably all the skippers that no longer had a boat after the navy was slashed ~40 years ago.

 

[Schlong&Stable]

Probably all the skippers that no longer had a boat after the navy was slashed ~40 years ago.

The army dont tend to captain ships.

 

[do_ron_ron]

There was an article in the Telegraph around the time of the original cuts that said that the UK had more generals, admirals etc than equivalent forces in Europe and many more than in the US. Apparently the UK has always been top heavy. I doubt whether there will be any real cull.

 

[fadetoblack]

About time to be honest they are top heavy

 

[doofer]

I wonder how all those Ruperts will bear it?

 

[Kronos]

I wonder how all those Ruperts will bear it?

Very well, I would imagine they will still have their generous pensions, still be able to call themselves by their rank, then there are the clubs and reunions.

When I was in the Marines two officers stand out, one who came through the ranks and was an absolute gem of a man and the other was my officer when I joined a detachment on board a frigate and this guy came via university and officer training and was an absolute prat. with him it was all about the rank whereas the other guy it was about the men.

 

[ivrytwr3]

The US Army has about 300 brigadiers and generals - only 100 more than the UK for an army five times the size.

All services have looked after their top brass, but are very quick to trim the people beneath them - it is about time they took some of their pain and to be honest as the services are shrinking then so should the lead.

 

[ivrytwr3]

I wonder how all those Ruperts will bear it?

See for yourself:

http://www.mod-pc.co.uk/

Also don't forget any Redundancy payments due. I saw a Lt Col leave with £150k payout and over £35k yearly pension during the last round.

 

[Destination]

The army dont tend to captain ships.

Might be where we've been going wrong?
1 general per war?
2 so one can say I told you so?

 

[Von Smallhausen]

I wonder how all those Ruperts will bear it?

 

[doofer]

Very well, I would imagine......

See for yourself.....

 

[ivrytwr3]

it wasn't a wasted pun - we have called army officers ruperts for many years - i was merely answering the question whilst enjoying the mirth.

 

[Muffin`]

Isn't it something to do with specializing in different types of warfare? By retaining the knowledge at the top, new troops can be brought in and trained up should the need arise to fight in Snow or Jungle for example.

 

[scorza]

I wonder how all those Ruperts will bear it?

They'll become chefs, actors or singers I expect.

 

[Efour]

Open Red trouser shops

 

[ElliorR]

I bet they don't get the basic government redundancy package.

 

[ivrytwr3]

I bet they don't get the basic government redundancy package.

The last 2 rounds of redundancies were 2 - 3 x annual salary. It has been recommended that should redundancies happen this time then it could be basic ie 1 week per year worked.

 

[gettothechopper]

Its the best way to get the budgets / man power numbers down further without loosing capabilities. Apparently its a bit top heavy after the cutbacks anyhow

 

[MrMoonX]

Good, keep slashing the pointless military, let's start with trident