Let's not forget the armed forces budget was relentlessly cut during the first 7 years of the recent tory rule and has only just exceeded 2010 spending in real terms. But sure let's blame Labour who've been in power for 5 months for the state of it...
**British Armed Forces Discussion Thread**
- Thread starter bakes0310
- Start date
Caporegime
Labour are in power now, not the Tories, it’s their job to improve the situation, not neglect it
Keeping some 50 year old kit isn't going to improve anything.. honestly you placing the blame for the state of our forces onto Labour is laughable.
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I was about to write the same, thinking it's SC......but realized it's GD. I'm sure he been banned from SC by now.
Caporegime
I’m sure you’re completely wrong
The usual outlets have done a great job convincing people labour are to blame for everything..
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Soldato
Labour might not be the sole cause for a lot of our current issues but they sure are not helping the situation just seem to have poured petrol over the dumpster fire that is the UK at the moment. Same ****, different smell...
Soldato
Albion and Bulwark have been laid up for ages and with no crew anyway
MRSS is supposed to replace them but it has been a bit quiet on that for a while
hopefully the SDR will allow them to get moving on that order
watchkeeper has long been a nothing burger
Northumberland sounds like it was done anyway
not sure on the tankers, seems like we don't have many to go around at the moment
apparently again not crewed / used in ages anyway
hmmm on the helicopters, again if they are old / done then better to go but med heli contract not moving yet (only one bidder but not awarded yet?)
MRSS is supposed to replace them but it has been a bit quiet on that for a while
hopefully the SDR will allow them to get moving on that order
watchkeeper has long been a nothing burger
Northumberland sounds like it was done anyway
not sure on the tankers, seems like we don't have many to go around at the moment
apparently again not crewed / used in ages anyway
hmmm on the helicopters, again if they are old / done then better to go but med heli contract not moving yet (only one bidder but not awarded yet?)
They need to save money somewhere, they are about to spend £150,000,000 on a Financial Retention Incentive for Aircraft Technicians across the 3 services 
The 'Old chinooks' are being replaced by the SF 'Extended Range' version which is currently being procured. The Puma is also getting a replacement in the form of the H145 for it's SAR and Support roles in Cyprus and Belize.
If the ships haven't been to sea or manned in years, makes sense to just get rid.
The 'Old chinooks' are being replaced by the SF 'Extended Range' version which is currently being procured. The Puma is also getting a replacement in the form of the H145 for it's SAR and Support roles in Cyprus and Belize.
If the ships haven't been to sea or manned in years, makes sense to just get rid.
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Soldato
This as well! Absolutely things need to be done to increase retention especially niche pinpoint trades where forces pay structure cant compete with civilian equivalent pay.They need to save money somewhere, they are about to spend £150,000,000 on a Financial Retention Incentive for Aircraft Technicians across the 3 services
However, I'd say its equally as important to incentivise retention for the average squaddy. Do the even offer retention bonus anymore to 4/6/8 year points?
That's going to boost morale in the RAF
No that went a while ago. The bonus and the morale.
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The commitment bonus went with NEM 2015 pay model to new joiners, everyone who was still entitled to it prior to joining then could take it.
I'm honestly surprised they are commiting to the FRI, when the trade advisors visited us at the start of the year they fully expected everyone to take the FRI and be 'reinvigirated' to a full 30 year career.
"Nah I'll take my 30k and still leave after the 3 years" was the reply from 99% of the room.
Its very much a sticking plaster for my trade, it will be massive promotion boards for the next few years to fill the gaps and the people leaving after the 3 years. That comes with its own issues, people getting promoted with an average SJAR and being able to just about breathe will be signing off aircraft.
I'm honestly surprised they are commiting to the FRI, when the trade advisors visited us at the start of the year they fully expected everyone to take the FRI and be 'reinvigirated' to a full 30 year career.
"Nah I'll take my 30k and still leave after the 3 years" was the reply from 99% of the room.
Its very much a sticking plaster for my trade, it will be massive promotion boards for the next few years to fill the gaps and the people leaving after the 3 years. That comes with its own issues, people getting promoted with an average SJAR and being able to just about breathe will be signing off aircraft.
Associate
- Joined
- 19 May 2010
- Posts
- 1,384
After watching the Teams site meltdown in real time this morning when the details of the FRI were leaked, it’s pretty much exactly what was predicted. If someone is staying in for 3 years anyway it’s free money, but it won’t make anyone sign on extra for more than a year at most.
Not me anyway - I’m out next year after 25 years.
RAF chief shot down for using Gen Z slang as if it's selling trainers
An RAF video on Instagram to promote Cosford airshow in Shropshire describes it as 'very mindful, very considerate, very demure' - a reference to a post.
Comments are gold:
I beg to differ......................
Soldato
Seems a bit blown out of proportion no? I assumed this was a tongue-in-cheek video that was supposed to be a bit cringy, and oh boy it is that! but yeah I just assumed it was a bit of "fun".
Associate
- Joined
- 19 May 2010
- Posts
- 1,384
Yeah it’s awful. If you want to advertise the airshow, show some planes. Full reheat, Typhoon through the Mach loop, cockpit from the Dead Sparrows etc.
PLANES mothe*****r - show me some planes!
As an elder, it is totally cringe and an embarrassment to an ever decaying Air Force. Lowering standards, now this, are we are attracting the 'right' kind of people? In my experience no, the output from Halton, Cosford etc is severely lacking and we are plugging gaps with sub-standard, just to make up warm bodies on seats.
However, maybe this is the way it is now and i just need to move with the times.
These are some of the reasons I ended up leaving, that and the more obvious reasons.
The current lot aren't the problem, the surrounding 'support' staff are the issue. Young men and women can be easily motivated and trained but the current agenda is to cuddle them into some new breed of airmen (sorry air people).
Associate
Plummeting morale, low pay, unjust wars. No wonder young people resist joining up.
Plummeting morale, low pay, unjust wars. No wonder young people resist joining up | British army | The Guardian
Calls for a ‘citizen army’ to be trained in case of war wrongly focus on accusing generation Z of being unpatriotic and unmotivated
amp.theguardian.com
As a long-serving member of the UK Armed Forces I read this article from Jan 24 with keen interest. In my time we have definitely seen recruitment improve during times of conflict and then plummet when we are not involved in kinetic Op’s. Is the issue really that nowadays young people would rather be an influencer than ‘just a number’?