I am concerned about reports that our troops in Afghanistan are not receiving support in the field. If this is true than superior officers heads should roll. On the radio today had a soldier telling us that many soldiers are buying their own flack jackets as ours are not up to standard. He also stated that they are buying other basic items such as boots. Surely this must be wrong. (I hope) John Qld eep:
This is worrying, however it has been reported also that there are more serious problems, inasmuch as our troops have been made responsible for twice the area with our current force. Geoff
Hi All, This has been an ongoing problem since well before the 1st Gulf War. The weapons we were using were falling apart as well as our boots. General issue boots were coming apart at the seams as were other pieces of equipment. The vehicles we drove were not armoured enough especially in the floor area where the main point of impact of landmines would hit. And with further defence cuts planned its not going to get any better. Most squaddies buy their own kit anyway, its down to personnel preference and what you feel comfortable using but how many squaddies can afford to buy the fundimental items which will help them stay alive? Its also been reported over here that the reserves that are being sent over there are having to pay for the training themselves. Its time the goverment either puts up and pays for the decent gear that the lads and lasses need in order to do the job safely or its time to pull them out. Sniper
seems the commons defence committee and the defence secretary over here are starting to stand up and fight the Lib Dems in our Coalition government over MOD cuts, telling them straight it cannot be done and still have the service they demand. and like sniper says, all the men and women of the forces tend to buy heir own kit these days anyway as its better quality and won't fall apart.
