ARmy Rumour SErvice

Originally Posted by MrTracey

Or, of course, we could all just read the FR20 executive order.

Like it - another paper recycling initiative.

Originally Posted by MrTracey

the NEM

How quaintly Marxist.

Originally Posted by MrTracey

Or, of course, we could all just read the FR20 executive order, await the imminent full A2020 announcement, and then integrate. Once the NEM is in place and the TA (Army Reserve) is under new TACOS with an overarching element of compulsion to attend, we will be part time regulars and everyone will be happy.....

If only it were that easy ..... I reckon they might manage the name change without dramas but the rest ? Well, taking it in turn:

The FR ExO is great at buzzword heavy big hand small map vision and all that, but it does gloss over the details just a teensy little bit. And the details are what matter.

The A2020 announcement will either slip or come out so incoherent that we'll be seeing amendments every six months from now until 2020. Reorganising the Army isn't a trivial task, after all. I feel the pace is just a touch sporty to succeed. And until the Regular element is properly nailed down the TA can't be.

New TACOS ? The Queens speech was curiously quiet about establishing a whole new category of employee in law so it won't be soon. My predictions: an initial draft will come out, written by Regular staff officers, and be comprehensively laughed at by lawyers and employers alike. Another draft will follow in a year or so, this time with the involvement of people who actually understand employment law and civilian firms. Then another period for committees, consultations etc ... then an election. Post election Parliament will concentrate on whatever the lot that get in promised so so I reckon 2016 or later for Parliamentary action. If at all, given that the economy is hardly conducive to spending the money necessary and if we're not on Ops the urgency will evaporate.

Part-time regulars ? The Regs will be desperately casting around for something to do to fill their days once Ops are finished, Germany is closed and most soldiers live in a super garrison for the whole of their career. They'll be precious little left to use the TA for. Well, unless something big kicks off but if you claim you can predict what that will be that you're an idiot or a liar.

Originally Posted by One_of_the_strange

They'll be precious little left to use the TA for. Well, unless something big kicks off but if you claim you can predict what that will be that you're an idiot or a liar.

Assad's doing his best, the Foreign Office are yelling at Somalia and I am sure resource scarcity will make the early 21st century a rather frought one.

Your point is a fair one and well taken though.

Originally Posted by One_of_the_strange

Well, unless something big kicks off but if you claim you can predict what that will be that you're an idiot or a liar.

I wouldn't dream to be able to predict what it will be (Boumers observations aside), but a cursory glance at the last few decades (let alone centuries) would suggest that something big will kick off.

edited to add: and the history of our illustrious Corps is enough precedent in its own right to suggest that it'll be at a point when we are least prepared to deal with it - SDSR anyone?

Originally Posted by One_of_the_strange

If only it were that easy ..... I reckon they might manage the name change without dramas but the rest ? Well, taking it in turn:

The FR ExO is great at buzzword heavy big hand small map vision and all that, but it does gloss over the details just a teensy little bit. And the details are what matter.

The A2020 announcement will either slip or come out so incoherent that we'll be seeing amendments every six months from now until 2020. Reorganising the Army isn't a trivial task, after all. I feel the pace is just a touch sporty to succeed. And until the Regular element is properly nailed down the TA can't be.

New TACOS ? The Queens speech was curiously quiet about establishing a whole new category of employee in law so it won't be soon. My predictions: an initial draft will come out, written by Regular staff officers, and be comprehensively laughed at by lawyers and employers alike. Another draft will follow in a year or so, this time with the involvement of people who actually understand employment law and civilian firms. Then another period for committees, consultations etc ... then an election. Post election Parliament will concentrate on whatever the lot that get in promised so so I reckon 2016 or later for Parliamentary action. If at all, given that the economy is hardly conducive to spending the money necessary and if we're not on Ops the urgency will evaporate.

Part-time regulars ? The Regs will be desperately casting around for something to do to fill their days once Ops are finished, Germany is closed and most soldiers live in a super garrison for the whole of their career. They'll be precious little left to use the TA for. Well, unless something big kicks off but if you claim you can predict what that will be that you're an idiot or a liar.

Yes the compelling to attend and changes to employment law... Interestingly I had the dubious honour of listening to the CGS briefing team spout forth recently and during the quaint discussion about the name change of the TA/Reserve/ONE Army/Wild Geese/Part Time Army etc. the one that most definitely WON'T happen is Part Time Army, mainly because part-time now implies things like holiday pay, pro-rata pension, access to all of the same benefits as full time staff etc. the one guaranteed outcome will be if we are to stay the cheap option we will have to remain casual labour with no extra benefits so I cannot see any changes to reinforce our rights with employers given we won't get even basic employment rights from our "part time" employer...

Despite all of the ARAB/STAB wittering I keep seeing on various discussions on this forum I would like to put forward some common bonds to you...

The regs have some extremely good soldiers, they also have a reasonable number of sick lame lazy and complete throbbers.
The TA see above

Both will be shafted by senior officers of either persuasion if means another pip/crown/MBE/OBE/semi-retirement on the board of BAE

I for one look forward to the brave new world, I hope against all the odds that it is a better TA/Army I will be part of but I will not be holding my breath.

Certa Fucking Cito my arse.

Originally Posted by theblindking

I wouldn't dream to be able to predict what it will be (Boumers observations aside), but a cursory glance at the last few decades (let alone centuries) would suggest that something big will kick off.

edited to add: and the history of our illustrious Corps is enough precedent in its own right to suggest that it'll be at a point when we are least prepared to deal with it - SDSR anyone?

You forgot the bit about it happening just too late for anyone who remembered how we did it properly last time to still be in uniform. And how then fail to ask them for help, preferring instead to make it up as we go along. Then we copy what the US are doing as at least they seem to have a plan. Finally we start writing stuff down and it only takes us the best part of a decade. And as we concentrate on it to the exclusion of all else we become a one trick pony.

Cynical, me ?

Personally I'm hoping for tanks and lots of them. I like tanks.

Hmm. I thought the appendix to the FR20 Exec order was quite clear...Moi?

The issue for me is the 'integration' bit - we'll look back on it in 15 years time and say 'wasn't it obvious that it wouldn't work'?

Different people doing different things for different reasons.

Originally Posted by dergeneral

Spoken like a man with at least a tiny clue about how things work....

Well said Sir.

I am not sure who is being the more sarcastic out of the two of you.