The Royal Regiment of Scotland (RRS) was always going to be a hard sell, especially for those who value the geographical ties and traditions attaching to the six historic Scottish regiments that were to be subsumed into it. The plan was sold on the basis that it would be a win-win situation. The amalgamation would help provide Britain with a modern, flexible fighting force, fit to meet the challenges of the 21st century while simultaneously providing more stability and continuity for soldiers' families. The old policy of "arms plotting", which involved entire battalions upping sticks (and families) and moving to a new location every few years was to be abandoned in favour of permanent bases where soldiers and their dependants could put down roots. The new arrangement would provide "family stability", according to the RRS's official policy document. There was even a suggestion that the restructuring could result in Scottish soldiers spending more time in Scotland.
It now appears that the "family-friendly" aspect of the policy has been substantially oversold. Already a number of bases have been identified as being unsuitable for permanent postings, because of the likely adverse effect on morale. These include Omagh in Northern Ireland and Dekhelia in Cyprus. Battalions will continue to rotate through these locations, in addition to six-month deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Furthermore, soldiers attempting to move up the promotional ladder will continue to be the subject of what are known as "trickle-postings", moving regularly to gain different types of experience.
Now it has emerged that only two of the Scots battalions will be based in Scotland. The Highlanders will be consigned to Fallingbostel in northern Germany and the Argylls are destined for Canterbury. The Black Watch could end up at Fort George near Inverness, but is initially being deployed to Northern Ireland for two years. These arrangements are far from ideal, especially for a soldier with a family. "Fallie" is an unpopular posting for "pads" – married personnel – partly because wives who do not speak German have difficulty accessing employment. In Kent, property prices make it unlikely that a private soldier could afford to buy even the most basic family accommodation.
The danger is that the restructuring could become a lose-lose situation with regular upheavals continuing to be a feature of the lives of many soldiers with the inevitable knock-on effect on recruitment and retention, which are already serious concerns. There has been a series of scandals concerning misguided Ministry of Defence spending on procurement. Modest expenditure on modern barracks and training facilities in Scotland would be a solid investment.

Mr vandyke, you should.

There comes a time when you realise you're banging your head against a brick wall, p1ssing against the wind - or whatever. Whining about something which you won't change is frankly a waste of everyone's time. They are not going to change the AP by 'protesting' or 'gathering the clans', 'thrashing the haggis', hopping around in skirts or however else you dodgy colonials vent your spleen.

Actually you could; but before you do that send back all the other adopted colonials who now keep 'the Scottish' battalions' name alive (as if they giving a flying thingy about your quaint history and traditions) - and see how many you're left with.

See you in Fally!

20% of the British army are Scots.

If you weren't such a d*ckhead with your racist overtones, a few more of the 'Jocks' may accept what it is that you are trying to say, but in your effort to sound funny, you sort of lose the meaning of your arguement.

This is / was called banter. 'Racism' between the constituent parts of Great Britain was completely unheard of until the precious advocates of the politically correct decided to extend their meaningless middle class values further afield. I am saddened that such PC cr*p has extended this far, but I have also seen far worse examples of 'racist overtones' elsewhere on these boards. Perhaps you had better continue your witch hunt elsewhere.

And if there are any Scottish posters here who genuinely feel racially abused - then I abjectly apologise.

I am in no way an adovocate of Political Correctness. I was merely looking for a way in which to politely call you a c*nt.

And you can stick your apology up your arrse, you bell end.

I am in no way an adovocate of Political Correctness. I was merely looking for a way in which to politely call you a c*nt.

And you can stick your apology up your arrse, you bell end.

Scotland has always had a very high percentage whithin the british army. Our loyalty has never been doubted but we get nothing in return.