(UK) Army losing battle to fill infantry ranks

[Barrett808]

Army losing battle to fill infantry ranks
IAN BRUCE, Defence Correspondent
April 04 2006

Almost three times as many soldiers have left Scotland's infantry regiments in the past year as are currently in training to replace them, The Herald has learned.

Less than a week after the formation of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, a leaked report drawn up by the Army's director of infantry shows 233 quit early or were discharged for medical or disciplinary reasons. A further 170 reached the end of their enlistments and did not sign on for another stint in the ranks.

...

"There are American officers who think the UK Army's executive board has gone collectively crazy. Our close-knit regimental system was the envy of the world. Now it's heading towards being an anonymous corps of infantry.

"Within five years, the Army will be lucky to be able to field three battalions, or, at best, four weak units, from Scotland's former tribal recruiting grounds."

(more)

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/59357-print.shtml

[saltpoint]

1. Maybe the Army needs a snazzier recruiting poster -- one that

promises 70 or 80 virgins or something like that.

Incentives matter.

___

I hope they continue to experience recruiting problems from this point forward. This is a monstrous war, ill-begotten, unplanned and miserably managed. Bush's little slice of history, and Blair lap-dogging it to the very end.

Hurray for any young woman or man who refuses to fight in it.

[saigon68]

2. stuff like this doesn't help***GRAPHIC DISTURBING PHOTO******

OF DEAD GUY

I'VE SENT THIS PHOTO TO DOZENS OF PEOPLE

[saltpoint]

3. Hi, saigon68. You're right. I don't envy the Army its task

and wish it were run by its better lights. I don't have much faith in Don Rumsfeld, do you? It's not his being a civilian commander that bugs me, it's Abu Ghraib.

That bugs me a lot.

And with this image you've posted, it's also a necessary reminder that that young man was someone's friend, someone's neighbor, someone's son or father or boyfriend or husband -- maybe many of those things -- and that he's gone now because Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Perle, Kristol, Cheney, and on and on ... lied to all of us, our allies, and ultmately to our troops.

The troops aren't good people because they serve in Iraq; they were already good people, and deserve better leadership than they got.

I appreciate your post & say thanks to you.

[saigon68]

4. It is sad as more numbers pile UP ** HORRIBLE STORY******

http://airmanjacobson.com/

While providing convoy security support on Wednesday September 28 in Safwan Iraq, Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Nicole Jacobson, 21, of Riviera Beach Florida, became the first Security Forces Airman to die in Operation Iraqi Freedom. She died as a result of her vehicle making contact with an improvised explosive device (IED). Safwan is on the border of Iraq and Kuwait.

She is also the first female Airman killed in the line of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.




Each name was called and each Airman responded with “here,” until Airman Jacobson’s name was called out.

“Airman Jacobson,” the Sergeant said.

No reply.

“Airman 1st Class Jacobson,” he said again.

No reply.

“A1C Elizabeth Jacobson,” he said finally.

No reply.

Then as bag pipes softly played “Amazing Grace” over the chapel speakers, a solitary security forces Airman slowly carried a folded flag forward and placed it in a memorial display near the inverted M-16, helmet and boots.





About me:
"I just want to say that I really never understood why Ren and Stimpy went off the air, let me just tell you that it's about time that Spike tv brought Ren and Stimpy back to life...

I love you guys and I've missed you so much. Also Spongebob squarepants and I are going to have our babies together, yes lil spongelits.I love invader zim. And I broke my second to last toe on my right foot and now it hurts but it's cool. I like boys that Drool and I love the smell of cut grass and a cool day in the meadows. I want to have two kids and i want to name them Hunter and Austin.