Review of medals system after soldier's arrest

Kyt · May 3, 2009

Army set to review medals system after soldier's arrest | UK news | guardian.co.uk

The army is expected to review the system of awarding commendations for gallantry amid fears of "medal inflation" for embellished accounts of bravery from the battlefield in Afghanistan.

The investigation, the first of its kind in more than 300 years of British army history, comes after the arrest of Major Robert Armstrong, who was awarded a military cross for "consistent bravery and inspirational leadership" when a convoy of British and Afghan army vehicles was ambushed last year in Gereshk Valley, Helmand province.

Armstrong, 35, of the Royal Artillery, was detained by Royal Military Police on Friday to be interviewed under caution after claims from another officer about the "overblown" narrative in his medal citation.

Armstrong was attached with the 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment in Helmand last year. The officer's citation said: "While mentoring the Afghan national army vehicle patrol Armstrong showed consistent bravery and inspirational leadership. As a result of his calm leadership under fire, losses were prevented and the lives of those injured were saved."

The "under fire" aspect of the citation is disputed, it is understood, and other actions Armstrong attributed to himself were allegedly carried out by other officers.

Lt Col Edward Freely, the commanding officer of the Royal Irish battle group, could also be questioned, the Sunday Telegraph reported.

Freely was responsible for writing all of the citations that led to 17 awards being given to members of his battle group. The haul included three Conspicuous Gallantry Crosses, a feat unprecedented in the army. Sources told the paper that all 17 honours and awards could be reviewed if the investigation found substance to the allegations. The spotlight would also fall on other regiments, with potentially dozens of awards looked at.

The investigation was described as being "in its very early stages". An army spokesman said: "The integrity of the operational honours system is a matter of utmost importance to us. Any suggestion that it has fallen short of the very high standards that we set ourselves are taken extremely seriously and are investigated thoroughly.

"We are aware of an allegation that a citation on which a gallantry award was made on the March 2009 Operational Honours list was factually incorrect. The Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch are investigating the matter and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment further whilst this is ongoing."

A total of 177 honours covering operations in Afghanistan and Iraq were announced by the army in March.

"This will be used as a stick by those in the army who claim that the current system is unfair and open to abuse," a military source told the Sunday Telegraph. "It also raises question marks over the integrity of the armed forces, which is based on honour and trust."

The number of medals won by the Royal Irish Regiment in the last tour of duty in 2008 is in marked contrast to those awarded to the unit in 2006 in Helmand. Then the battalion, which sent 100 volunteers to serve alongside members of 16 Air Assault Brigade, won a solitary Mention in Dispatches while the brigade won more than 60 awards.
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Award of Afghan medals could be reviewed after allegations that citations were incorrect - Telegraph

Dozens of gallantry medals awarded to British troops who fought the Taliban in Helmand could be reviewed after allegations that citations were incorrect.

The disclosure follows the arrest of an Army major who won the Military Cross “for consistent bravery and inspirational leadership” after he allegedly exaggerated accounts of his bravery.

It is understood to be the first time such an investigation has been conducted by the British Army and could have far-reaching implications for the way honours and awards are “written up” by senior officers.

There has been concern about so-called “medal inflation” creeping into the Armed Forces, under which units have ended up with a larger haul of medals for actions in Helmand than they would have received under similar circumstances in previous conflicts.

Major Robert Michael Armstrong, 35, who was attached to 1st battalion The Royal Irish Regiment battle group in Helmand last year, was arrested last week by the special investigation branch of the Royal Military Police after a complaint by another officer. The Sunday Telegraph understands that the unnamed officer complained that Major Armstrong exaggerated his involvement in battles and that actions attributed to himself were actually those of fellow officers.

It is also understood that Lt Col Edward Freely, the commanding officer of the Royal Irish battle group, could also be questioned if the investigations go any further.

Lt Col Freely was responsible for writing all of the citations which led to 17 awards given to members of his battle group. The haul included three Conspicuous Gallantry Crosses, a feat unprecedented in the Army. Sources have confirmed to The Sunday Telegraph that if there is any substance to the allegations surrounding the falsifying of citations within the battle group then all 17 honours and awards could be reviewed. The spotlight would also fall on other regiments, with potentially dozens of awards looked at.

Senior military sources said the arrest of Major Armstrong, a member of the Royal Regiment of Artillery who served with the Royal Irish in Afghanistan, was not a reflection of any guilt but demonstrated that the allegations were being dealt with seriously.

Major Armstrong won his Military Cross for his actions when a convoy of British and Afghan army vehicles was ambushed last year in Gereshk Valley, Helmand province.

His citation read: “As a result of his calm leadership under fire, losses were prevented and the lives of those injured were saved.”

It is understood that the complaint by a colleague is in part about the “under fire” aspect of the citation. If there is any proof in the allegations, the officer could face a court martial and lose his career if found guilty. He could also face the indignity of having his Military Cross withdrawn.

The claim has left many in the Army stunned. Lt Col Freely is a highly regarded officer who is destined for high command. A senior military source said: “The officer who made the complaint has said that not only is the 'under fire’ aspect of the citation in question but that much of what Major Armstrong claims he was involved in actually happened to the complaining officer.

''Either way it a very messy business. This will be used as a stick by those in the Army who claim that the current system is unfair and open to abuse. It also raises question marks over the integrity of the Armed Forces which is based on honour and trust.” The number of medals won by the Royal Irish Regiment in the last tour of duty in 2008 is in marked contrast to those awarded to the unit in 2006 in Helmand.

Then the battalion, which sent 100 volunteers to serve alongside members of 16 Air Assault Brigade, won a solitary Mention in Dispatches while the Brigade itself won more than 60 awards.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: “The integrity of the operational honours system is a matter of the utmost importance to us. Any suggestions that it has fallen short of the very high standards that we have set ourselves are taken extremely seriously and are investigated thoroughly.’’
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urqh · May 3, 2009

Kyt said: ↑

Army set to review medals system after soldier's arrest | UK news | guardian.co.uk

Award of Afghan medals could be reviewed after allegations that citations were incorrect - Telegraph
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Every generation of the armed forces likes to think its generation were the best the armed forces ever had..Me included. And until Afghanistan I still stood by that thought. We all become the whenwee's we knew we would one day..

I do take my hat off to the present girls and boys who in my mind have proved themselves over and over again, and the system that even if the country complains about the playstation generation, these young folk go out and prove they can take the mantle on and take it further. I do believe unlike many no sayers, that the armed forces is safe in their hands and future generations, and think this lot are the best force we have put in the field since ww2 and maybe a match for that too...

But ane three is always a but...with the political overheads and the need to see results and rolling news...I think govt pressure for feel good stories has lead to this more so than an individual taking implied advantage.

I think personally and it is only a personal belief, that the politicians want the various missions in Iraq and Afghanistan to be seen as a success for the British way of doing things...the odd medal presentation thrown in couldn't harm the cause in their eyes...I would hope I am wrong as this takes away from the obvious professionalism and bravery of those that do deserve the highest of praise.

Just my rambling maybe.

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