General Dannatt on the state of the army

[KGB_resident]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6953532.stm

British troops are "stretched" but they are winning the tactical battle in Afghanistan, the head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, has said

Sir Richard has used a word 'tactical'. But would his statement be true without this word?

While troops were "certainly stretched" and soldiers were not getting as long in barracks as he would like, morale was good, he said.

"We can be busy, we can be stretched, we can run hot - provided we are looking after individuals.

"Critically, our soldiers feel valued and supported and thanked for what they are doing."

 

[Mr_Jones]

Doubt it. The word looks carefully chosen to me.

 

[freeway]

Is Dannett talking about the BRITISH FORCES?? Has he actually talked to the Troops on the ground man to man ,and not to hand picked brown-noses?. Direct this guy to Arrse and get him to read the TRUTH about how the real squaddie having to go through it day in day out.

Get him to talk to the Wives..not the officers wives..the Squaddies wives, who hav'nt see the husbands for God knows when.

Mind you, when his career's over, he should get a "good number" provided he does'nt make waves

 

[ExRAMC_STAB]

Freeway - I don't know his username but I have heard that CGS is a member.

 

[elovabloke]

He has just been on BBC1 asking why the Post Office are charging so much for parcels sent to operational areas. He has suggested that they do it for free. As the big boss he should demand it and if they are not willing the Government should pick up the tab. I wonder why he didn’t bring that into the equation.

Freeway - I don't know his username but I have heard that CGS is a member.

I'm sure like the rest of us he his big enough and ugly enough to take it , whatever is said about him. Within the realms of decancy that is.

 

[stroker]

How hot is it Mon to Fri in a Whitehall grace and favour pad when you've been home to your wife and your country retreat for the weekend(probably)?

 

[Arai]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6953532.stm

"Critically, our soldiers feel valued and supported and thanked for what they are doing."

What? - I was so optimistic about General Dannet. Statements like this make it look as if he is ready to do a Jackson and toe the MOD line.

 

[Rackcatchplunger]

When I first read it on the BBC Website, my first thoughts were "what planet is he on?" Can't be the same as us!

 

[Oh_Bollox]

Sir Richard has used a word 'tactical'. But would his statement be true without this word?

He didn't say that bit. Battles are tactical. Wars are strategic/operational. 'Tactical battle' is a bit of tautology anyway.

You seem to think the British Army is in the same position the Soviets were. We're not in the same position, we're not using the same strategy or tactics, and even if it all goes wrong and we do lose Afghanistan it won't just have been a simple replay of the Soviet invasion.

 

[KGB_resident]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6953532.stm

"Critically, our soldiers feel valued and supported and thanked for what they are doing."

What? - I was so optimistic about General Dannet. Statements like this make it look as if he is ready to do a Jackson and toe the MOD line.

I guess sir Richard meant

Critically important that our soldiers should feel valued and supported and thanked for what they are doing.

 

[KGB_resident]

Sir Richard has used a word 'tactical'. But would his statement be true without this word?

He didn't say that bit. Battles are tactical. Wars are strategic/operational. 'Tactical battle' is a bit of tautology anyway.

You seem to think the British Army is in the same position the Soviets were. We're not in the same position, we're not using the same strategy or tactics, and even if it all goes wrong and we do lose Afghanistan it won't just have been a simple replay of the Soviet invasion.

Generally you are right. Stategy and tactics are different. Moreover, USA has own strategy and tactics in Afghanistan that differ from British ones.

Strategic goal

Soviet Union: to create pro-Soviet satellite regime and using it extend Soviet expansion over the region maybe even to Iran, Pakistan and the Gulf countries.

USA: to create pro-American satellite regime and using it extend American expansion over the region maybe even to Central Asian countries, former parts of the Soviet union.

The UK: hasn't strategic goal.

Strategy

Soviet union: military pressure of opposition to the puppet government, economical aid, ideological expansion, propaganda, creation of puppet army.

USA: military pressure of opposition to the puppet government, economical aid, ideological expansion, propaganda, imitation of attempts to create national army.

The UK: to obey orders from Washington.

Tactics

Soviet Union: wide spectrum of measures including bombings, killings, bribing of tribal leaders, using of special Soviet regiments formed from Soviet Uzbeks and Tajiks (to win 'hearts and minds), education of 'future' Afghan elite in the Soviet union and so on and so forth.

USA: bombings, killings, bribing of tribal leaders, using of British and other allied forces to make dirty job. Attempts to win 'hearts and minds'.

The UK: to obey orders from Washington.

 

[sc_obvious]

Tactically we may well be winning but that does'nt really matter if those gains are not being exploited by DfID etc. Again it just seems like too much being asked for with too little to do it.

 

[The_IRON]

Freeway - I don't know his username but I have heard that CGS is a member.

Dont tell me he's The Lord flash or M_D_N

 

[node]

How hot is it Mon to Fri in a Whitehall grace and favour pad when you've been home to your wife and your country retreat for the weekend(probably)?

What planet is he on, or is he paying lip service to whom? The Taliban and their supporters are in charge they have the numbers, there are 150million people in Pakistan and a lot support the tribes from where the Taliban come from, they have funds from drugs and lots of ammo, ammo costs more than weapons just ask the M.O.D. they keep our troops short of ammo. even supply them with substandard .50 cal ammo remember? it was cheaper than the U.S. made .50 cal. ask the Paras. they had lots of jams when under fire AK. ammo is cheaper than Brit ammo. The R.P.Gs. they use and the rockets are much cheaper than that supplied to Brits. and in more available quantities . People knock the Soviet weapons but they are reliable, cheaper,produced for large armies. so have to work for conscripted troops, Not very nice for the troops fighting against Taliban even with air cover. The Soviets found out that Afgan is not easy pickings. I only hope that P.B.I. get out safely. People can discuss the pro and cons of this for ever or until it is resolved.

 

[FrankCastle]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6953532.stm

"Critically, our soldiers feel valued and supported and thanked for what they are doing."

What? - I was so optimistic about General Dannet. Statements like this make it look as if he is ready to do a Jackson and toe the MOD line.

Seconded. Disappointing.

 

[hellfyyr]

He has just been on BBC1 asking why the Post Office are charging so much for parcels sent to operational areas. He has suggested that they do it for free. As the big boss he should demand it and if they are not willing the Government should pick up the tab. I wonder why he didn’t bring that into the equation.

The post office only charge for the movement of parcels to Mill Hill in London. This is like asking British Telecom to give us free phone calls...

Why should the Poist Office do this for free? They are a commercial organisation. As stated the government should sort out contracts for this and pay the costs involved (within a set ofrules).

The fact that CGS asked the Post Office is either naive or a canny political move. The sad thing is either way it could have been dealt with properly without going through the back-door.

 

[ViroBono]

"Critically, our soldiers feel valued and supported and thanked for what they are doing."

It seems that Revd Dannatt is abiding by the new DIN, and making sure that everything he says reflects well upon the MOD.

I don't think this is the first instance of him toeing the MOD's line; I think his inaction over accommodation for relatives at Headley Court was another example. He apparently asked SSAFA (for whom his wife works) to set something up, and he apparently supported 36GL. His duty, however, to the troops was to do his damnedest to ensure that fundamental requirements like this are provided by, or at least fully funded, by MOD. And yet we heard not a word from a man we are told is not afraid to speak out when it matters.

 

[hellfyyr]

"Critically, our soldiers feel valued and supported and thanked for what they are doing."

It seems that Revd Dannatt is abiding by the new DIN, and making sure that everything he says reflects well upon the MOD.

I don't think this is the first instance of him toeing the MOD's line; I think his inaction over accommodation for relatives at Headley Court was another example. He apparently asked SSAFA (for whom his wife works) to set something up, and he apparently supported 36GL. His duty, however, to the troops was to do his damnedest to ensure that fundamental requirements like this are provided by, or at least fully funded, by MOD. And yet we heard not a word from a man we are told is not afraid to speak out when it matters.

He has been in trouble for speaking out once - His courage has clearly disappeared since then...

If he visited Iraq and thought that all was well words fail me.

 

[Dunservin]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6953532.stm

"Critically, our soldiers feel valued and supported and thanked for what they are doing."

What? - I was so optimistic about General Dannet. Statements like this make it look as if he is ready to do a Jackson and toe the MOD line.

Seconded. Disappointing.

I think General Dannatt was referring to the public who, in the main, have proved extremely supportive about issues like kit, medical care and aftercare, 36GL, Gurkha Pun, service accommodation, etc., despite what they might think about our involvement in the sandpits. When they are not thinking about priorities closer to home, the GBP is grateful for the Armed Forces and it is important to keep them onside. I believe the good General is being cannier than you think. After all, there is more than one way to skin a cat.

 

[PE4rocks]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6953532.stm

"Critically, our soldiers feel valued and supported and thanked for what they are doing."

What? - I was so optimistic about General Dannet. Statements like this make it look as if he is ready to do a Jackson and toe the MOD line.

Seconded. Disappointing.

I think General Dannatt was referring to the public who, in the main, have proved extremely supportive about issues like kit, medical care and aftercare, 36GL, Gurkha Pun, service accommodation, etc., despite what they might think about our involvement in the sandpits. When they are not thinking about priorities closer to home, the GBP is grateful for the Armed Forces and it is important to keep them onside. I believe the good General is being cannier than you think. After all, there is more than one way to skin a cat.

This is exactly the problem, there is so much double speak, couching in terms and political correctness that who the fcuk can tell what is being said, hinted at, or whatever.

IMHO the more senior the appointment the bigger the balls should be, unforunately the outward appearance is to the contrary, even more so once one goes beyond the military CoC.

When push comes to shove, the blokes on the ground need to feel that they are part of a team, top to bottom.
Do I feel that this is the perception of the troops. No, I most certainly do not.

Yours, disillusioned etc...