No respect for military lives.

[Workingman]

I found the article, Kate, and its headlines and first paragraphs are a shocking misrepresentation of the truth. The impression given is that young recruits with only Phase One training will be the first in to face jihadists/terrorists. It did not go so far as to say that they would only have plastic BB guns, but it might as well have.

What the MOD did say is that from September those who have completed Phase One will be included in the Army's "Trained Strength" and that if they ever got deployed they would be subject to suitable supervisory ratios and duty of care.

I take that to read that they would be the very last in and then long after fully trained regulars had done the job. Their role would be more one of reassurance in a similar way more police appear on the streets after a murder. The main difference between them and the ordinary copper will be that they will have guns, and guns they have already been trained to use.

[Suff]

Soldiers who have completed phase1 training are always introduced into seasoned regular units as a top up to the strength. They are always under experienced ranks from LCpl to Sergeant.

Whilst they may be deployed, they will only be deployed as a small part of a whole unit's strength. If they are frontline troops they will go with the others in the unit. However they will never be alone and never left to make decisions for themselves.

This is how the Army works. For a newspaper to make some accusations about sending in entire inexperienced platoons is totally wrong. The Army has never worked like that and never will because it is a professional force which is one of the most effective in the world. Even in WW2 they pulled the Sergeants out of France before Dunkirk and back into training roles to get the troops trained and fit for battle.

I have my issues with the Army and how they work but this kind of slur is just not right and should not be allowed. Of course the Army won't put it down and the Soldiers themselves know it's total BS. All it does is worry the families.

[Kate1933]

I found the article, Kate, and its headlines and first paragraphs are a shocking misrepresentation of the truth. The impression given is that young recruits with only Phase One training will be the first in to face jihadists/terrorists. It did not go so far as to say that they would only have plastic BB guns, but it might as well have.

What the MOD did say is that from September those who have completed Phase One will be included in the Army's "Trained Strength" and that if they ever got deployed they would be subject to suitable supervisory ratios and duty of care.

I take that to read that they would be the very last in and then long after fully trained regulars had done the job. Their role would be more one of reassurance in a similar way more police appear on the streets after a murder. The main difference between them and the ordinary copper will be that they will have guns, and guns they have already been trained to use.

Frightening Frank, it is only a matter of time before there is an all out war..What with Putin raising his hackles, IS, and the man jack who is intent on committing murder generally mentally disturbed we have a great deal to worry about, and thanks for the info in The Wail, misleading and dishonest reporting should not be allowed.