Lt Gen Parker on RotR

[Cpt_Darling]

I don't know if anyone else was at Altcar last weekend to hear his take on the review, and the disbandment of the signal Regts.

Snippets from what I can remember:

The disbandment was not due to RotR but the "financial squeeze".

Those that were disbanded were "not equipped for, or relevant to todays operations"

That the TA needed "major restructuring"

That the TA in the long run will become "proportionally larger" compared to the Regular Army.

Now whether that last one means the regs will become smaller who knows

Just thought I would offer some of his words up to arrse.

 

[WhiteHorse]

Small comfort to those fine Regiments that will be discarded.

 

[MrTracey]

The TA probably does need major restructuring if it is to withstand the various and uncoordinated initiatives emanating from RF HQ.

Firm Base? (interlocking loops? - naive), reorganisation of the Div and Regional Bdes (why? - so that they can say they did something...and for no other reason - IT AIN'T BROKE!!), absence of leadership on TA matters generally, priority of CE for the TA (do me a favour - Oh, and do it yourself!), training in the COE (utter co88lers and won't last ten minutes after the TA realise it's repetitive. boring and anti retention), practically ignored the TAPO crisis, and lots of talk and then little action.

They (RF) may believe they are in the thick of it but I can't think of one single initiative from Regional Forces that has made a scrap of difference to the average life of a TA volunteer in recent years - other than to make it more difficult.

If RF stuck to the KISS principle and delivered a few ideas credibly rather than a lot of hot air and posturing, we'd all be better off.

Pa!

 

[Vyking]

Lets remember the restructuring isn't over yet. 60 sigs and 36 sigs are still under scrutany from what I've heard.

As for the TAPO crisis, i personally hope there arn't too many candidates to compete against for the same (ever shrinking) number of roles in my regt.

 

[Wingletang]

The TAPOs in the R Signals should think about changing corps now. There won't be any vacancies in the future. Thanks General.

 

[western]

A couple of recent Press articles

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Leeds-unit-to-be-axed.5228338.jp

Leeds unit to be axed in Territorial Army shake-up

02 May 2009
By Mark Hookham

A UNIT of more than 70 part-time soldiers in Leeds is to be axed in a shake-up of the Territorial Army.

The Army has confirmed that 34 Sig Regt (V) 49 Sig Sqn, based in Carlton Barracks in Leeds, will be disbanded as part of a drive to make the TA better prepared for war.

Ministers at the Ministry of Defence took the decision after deciding that the
ADVERTISEMENTcommunications equipment the unit operates is no longer needed.

http://www.birminghampost.net/comme...diers-facing-uncertain-future-65233-23540913/

Territorial Army cuts leave volunteer soldiers facing uncertain future
May 5 2009 by Paul Dale, Birmingham Post
The latest government review of UK defence spending is likely to be regarded as little short of a kick in the teeth for the thousands of brave men and women who volunteer to join the Territorial Army each year, and in doing so put their lives on the line for Queen and country in many of the world’s trouble spots.

If plans announced by Defence Minister Bob Ainsworth are approved, some 2,000 posts will be lost from UK signals units with many of the jobs at risk being based in the Midlands.

The soldiers are no longer required because the technology they use has become obsolete. One option is for personnel to be absorbed into infantry units, but nothing has been decided yet.

 

[Dry_Clean_Only]

Lets remember the restructuring isn't over yet. 60 sigs and 36 sigs are still under scrutany from what I've heard.

Umm who are 60 Sigs? You mean 60 Sig Sqn? Or is there another ghost regiment lurking?

 

[Dry_Clean_Only]

Quoting from the first article

A British Army spokesman added: "These personnel will be offered posts in other TA units and it's up to them to decide whether they accept them or not."

Ha! Yeah like that's really simple, nothing like a change in capbadge, trade and career prospects. For new recruits maybe, for a YoS or Class 1 Rad Op, it's not exactly tempting.

And from the other article

One option is for personnel to be absorbed into infantry units, but nothing has been decided yet.

More certainty, more decision making, more options to be tossed to the four corners of the country and the message not passed down...