Last year we celebrated the centenary of the formation of the Territorial Army in 1908. Within six years the First World War had broken out and the TA went on to provide nearly half the combat units, winning an astonishing 71 VCs.
In the last six years, the reserve forces have contributed some 20,000 personnel to operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Balkans, three quarters of them from the Territorial Army; 16 Territorials and one Auxiliary Airman have died. Today some six hundred volunteer reservists are serving alongside their regular comrades in Afghanistan.
Volunteer units live by the professionalism, enthusiasm and commitment of their members and I am proud to have people currently serving in the TA and Royal Naval Reserve in my Parliamentary team, as well as many ex-regulars and reservists.
I was shocked at the recent debacle of the planned overnight suspension of TA training to balance the MoD’s books. Fortunately, it was narrowly averted, but I understand the lasting uncertainty which the measure has caused, among people already making considerable sacrifices in their civilian careers as well as family life. For that reason, structural changes may be needed to ensure that essential TA training is not used as a balancing item, each time MoD’s accountants are in trouble. As part of the Strategic Defence Review we will hold if we win the next election, we will look at how we can give appropriate recognition and prestige to senior volunteer reservists, who share the same pressures in their civilian lives.
Over the past few years, Liam Fox and I have sought to reassure the armed forces of a better deal under a Conservative government. I now want to ensure that volunteer forces will never be an afterthought; instead they will be at the heart of our thinking.
Pingback by David Cameron and the Reserve Armed Forces « Tory Rascal on November 26, 2009 at 10:45 am
[...] interesting item appears on the Blue Blog about the Conservatives’ plans for the volunteer reserve forces, of which I am a member. David Cameron is right to praise the reserve forces; having served as a [...]
Comment by Kevin Lohse on November 26, 2009 at 11:31 am
” As part of the Strategic Defence Review we will hold if we win the next election, we will look at how we can give appropriate recognition and prestige to senior volunteer reservists, ”
Isn’t this statement pre-judging the findings of the Defence Review?
Comment by Amarantha on November 26, 2009 at 5:42 pm
How can taking into account the contribution of Reservists be pre-judgement of the findings of any Defence Review?
Reservists provided invaluable back-up for our Conscripts and Regulars throughout World War Two and they are pulling their weight … making the same sacrifices along with our Regulars in Afghanistan now.
Any review must include recognition of the vital role the TA plays. Otherwise it would not be a comprehensive review.
Comment by Nigel Adams on November 26, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Fine, But we are being told we were in such financial straits already that it really makes very little difference. There is no money for training anyway. In fact it looks increasingly unlikely that we will be able to qualify for efficiency in this financial year and next year looks like more of the same. In the grand scheme of things we are very very cheap, but now even our basic levels of competence are being undermined by constant cuts. This government has hacked away at the TA over the last twen years. When I joined in 1984 there were about 50,000 TA soldiers (excluding other reservists. Now there are barely 20,000 TA soldiers and only 33,000 reservists in total. Disgusting and shameful treatment of a group of people who have contributed hugely to the defenbce of the realm. Maybe I need to enter politics to put it right. Call me if you need a hand, I would be delighted.
Comment by Brennan Dwyer on November 27, 2009 at 10:12 am
The key is that the TA/Reserves will not be considered as an afterthought. With reservists in the Parliamentary team a genuine reflection of the issues surrounding Reserve Forces can be had. This could include studying the structure of the TA/RNR/RMR/RAFR and comparing our organisation to other reserve forces around the world.
Reserve forces are a very cost efficient way or putting troops on the ground but these troops must be allowed to train to the standards required before they go. The proposed SDR will strive to achieve this.
Comment by Katie on November 27, 2009 at 10:57 am
The action the govenment has taken with the TA has already had a detrimental effect on the moral of the TA. I have been in the TA a long time and i have served in a number of conflicts and i can’t see the point anymore!
Comment by Bob Ramsdale on November 27, 2009 at 11:09 am
The recent moratorium in TA training proposed by the Government was absurd. The total saving possible for their proposal was about the cost of running a couple of the RAF’s new fighters (of which I understand nearly 150 are to be mothballed as having no current use) for one year. It seems a rather odd way to run the armed forces; spending hundreds of millions on aircraft that cannot be used in the wars we are actually fighting and cutting the training and morale of the people are likely to be out there at the sharp edge. I believe that the many in the top echelons are locked into a cold war mindset preparing for a conventional invasion of Europe. Many of the fundamental decisions about budgets or kit seem to be driven by this and the need for each of the arms to have equal budgets irrespective of the on-the-ground requirements. I hope that the defence review will start with a clean sheet when looking at what we need to keep the UK safe and to implement political decisions across the globe. There is a balance to be struck and the output of the review may mean that our politicians have make (for them) some unpleasant decisions about the primary armed forced role and who gets the money. By implication it would seem to me that the TA would be expanded as a money saving exercise – not cut!Rule cubil
Comment by Johnny van der Merwe on November 27, 2009 at 11:21 am
Field Marshall Bramall said 20 years ago that at 3% of the Defence Budget the military had an “absolute bargain” in the TA. Nothing has changed, other than they are now being allowed to fulfil their potential on operations alongside their regular counterparts. It is disgraceful that cuts in training should be proposed and at the very time that the reserve forces are contributing so efficiently and willingly to operations in Afghanistan.
Comment by nip boy on November 27, 2009 at 11:31 am
Nice comment. this would explain our local MP turning up for the first time in nearly 10years. he is the one who got a second Morgage home further away from Parliament then his constituent in Croydon
Comment by Ross J Warren on November 27, 2009 at 12:01 pm
The TA has always been an initiation I have admired.
It was a great sadness to me personally that my asthma made joining up impossible. Although to be utterly fair they bent over backwards to encourage me, but simply put I would have been more of a hindrance then a help, and we finally concluded that I could not run far enough, and that being stressed made it far worse. With modern treatments I imagine many Asthmatics do indeed serve, at least I do hope so. I imagine that some people with disabilities could and should be able to work in the administration side of the TA, I have no idea if this is the case, so if anyone reading knows what the current position is would they care to comment?
Comment by Mick on November 27, 2009 at 12:02 pm
I’ve been a member of the TA since 1981 and I’ve seen plenty of changes. When i joined, it was how many beers you could sink on a Tuesday night. Now it is a far more professional organisation.
My skills depth may not be as good as many regular soldiers but when I ran ranges for them in Afghanistan I was shocked at their skill levels as well.
Successive governments have not put money into the armed forces, full stop. The so called ‘peace dividend’ did not arrive and we have more troops committed to ongoing tours, in comparison to the size of regular and TA forces than almost any other time in our past.
My old unit has now been disbanded and my current unit has a moratorium on training. My old unit lost its TA Centre, the only one in the town where an Armed Forces minister is the MP! If I was to mobilise again, it’s only because of my own personal training and dedication that I will perform as well if not better than my last tour.
We do not have the vehicles, the signals equipment or the heavy weapons to go straight from mobilisation to theatre. We, along with the regulars need to be able to conduct training for operations throughout the year with the right equipment. If we do not, there will be further casualties.
Whether the impending Govt will actually take heed of this blog and the problems of the armed forces, I doubt. However, one can but try.
If only we spent as much of our GDP on defence as America rather than watch it be poured down the drain in social security payouts and the NHS.
Comment by Bruce Wyllie on November 27, 2009 at 12:07 pm
I am encouraged by DC’s appreciation of the value of Reseve Forces whichever branch they come from and that cutting them evey time the MOD fail to balance the books needs to stop and prevented from re-occuring. Apart from the long term National benefit of having trained Reservists available for deploynent in emergenies, I understand that currently 80% of doctors and nurses currently deployed in Afganistan are Reservists and there are many other “skills” gaps being filled by Reservists whether it is a traditional “trade” skill or one specfic to the Army such as Special Forces or Intelligence.
Comment by jim boyd on November 27, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Our reserve and volunteer forces play a critical role in the combat effectiveness of the British armed forces. This ranges from specialist and necessary roles, whether medical or logistics to front line combat troops. They are also an extremely cost effecitve resource. The Conservative commitment to ensuring that our TA is given the training it needs to fullfill its tasking is important and clearly welcome. David Cameron also sends a welcome sign of support to the many professional and hard working men and women who serve in our reserve and volunteer forces who are often not given the recognition they deserve.
Comment by Hugh de Jorgen on November 27, 2009 at 2:51 pm
The TA, RNR, RMR and RAuxAF bring huge skills that not only are useful in battle, but also in managing and delivering a functioning civil society post-conflict. Their civilian roles and skills make that complex transition so much easier, and these skills will often not be found in full-time career soldiers, sailors and airmen.
For this reason and many more we need to invest in the reserve forces, not kill them by a death of a thousand cuts.
Comment by Mark Grey on November 27, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Britain could not fulfil its current defence commitmens without the TA. As Bruce has pointed out the majority of vital medical personel are reservists and front line regiments could not deploy overseas without their numbers being brought to full strength by trained TA and reservists.
The operational benefits of having a well recruited and trained TA should be enough of an arguement for any sensible government to fund the TA properly. But the benefits of a strong TA go far beyond operations. Regular forces are recruited from society and TA soldiers have civilian jobs as mechanics, lawyers or IT technicians. They bridge the gap between civilian and military professional. A strong TA is a force for good in communities, providing social cohesion, improving fitness and training. Without a strong TA professional forces would not be able to fulfil their commitments today and would find recruitment for the future very difficult.
I would never have joined the regular army had I not been recruited into the TA at university.
Comment by Senior Volunteer Reservist on November 27, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Interesting. Something needs to be done soon as the Army is currently hell bent on effectively destroying the TA. The focus on Operations, whilst understandable, is likely to undermine (and ultimately destroy) the very ethos and fabirc of the ‘volunteer’ force. Every organisation must value it’s members – by doing so it reaffirms the covenant that each has made to the other. The experience of being part of an organisation such as the TA must be varied and appeal to a broad range of people, otherwise it becomes insular, stale and ultimately mired in it’s own indecision. The focus on the OCP, the limited money, and the increasing ‘Regular’ command involvement in the TA has diluted the ethos and enjoyment. A singular focus on IRs for deployment, as there now exists, has turned those mobilising into part time Regulars, not full time TA. This is not semantics – it is a critical difference of approach that has already left the TA devoid of junior Officers, Units with few experienced people, and no fun. Adventurous Training, Social events, weekends that allowed Units to bond and develop long term ties have been replaced by endless military skills training and Herrick brain washing. In essence, if you are not wanting to go on Ops, you are not wanted. The enabling component, the critical mass, the ‘heart and ethos’ of the ‘volunteer – come rain or shine – is being erased, if not erased already. Mr Cameron needs to get his skates on before the various ‘projects’ currently underway – Graduated Commitment Model, Reviews of the Training regime, and the centralising of the estate, etc. destroy what’s left. If the Army wants a part time regular force, then let’s accept it and deliver it. If you want people that are ‘twice a citiizen’, that are cost effective and yet able to match the regular standards when required, then stop this madness now. The Regular Army simply doesn’t understand the TA – give the TA Back to the TA to manage it, and let the Regulars get on with their bit. SDR may be too late.
Comment by Glenn on November 27, 2009 at 5:16 pm
There can be no better investment from the defence budget than in willing volunteer soldiers, properly equipped and well led. These people demonstrate the finest qualities that any nation can want from it’s citizens, before even starting on the pragmatic matter of delivering combat effectiveness on operations. Any government would recognise this, that is, any government except labour. There is still a slim hope for mainstream politics via the tories – this is one issue that may still get my vote.
Comment by Simon Keell on November 27, 2009 at 8:25 pm
There is no better way to demoralise people than to make them see they are not valued, and only this week another TA soldier dies on operations. This current government shows no little contempt for the armed forces while being cavalier with their lives, through a lack of funding and resources, whilst over extending their operational commitments. This penny pinching over the backdrop of MPs’ expenses and the MOD’s prolificacy over defence procurement makes a mockery of servicemen and women’s commitment both regular and TA.
Comment by Eskimo on November 27, 2009 at 11:03 pm
The TA without doubt represents great value for money to the Nation.
In it’s upcoming SDR, the essentially bankrupt MoD will need to find a way of meeting it’s four most significant tasks: Afghan COIN, preventative tasks, deterrence coalitions and Homeland Security.
Give the latter discreet task to the TA along with a large dose of autonomy and a little bit of money!
Comment by Andy on November 28, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Eskimo’s value for money point is spot on.. Considering the TA are now regularly operational, I wonder if any of the millions of civil servants have actually assessed how much the alternatives (to a highly capable and well trained stand-by force) would cost us?? Millions could be saved elsewhere, perhaps by creating a reserve civil service thereby replacing thousands of highly paid officials with part timers – with no loss of performance I would speculate.
Comment by Dinger No 2 on November 30, 2009 at 10:18 am
Forget the politics the TA is an essential part of the “National Reserve”. Although the MoD and Military hierachy would disband a TA Battalion to preserve a regular platoon they would be lost without it, as has been clearly demonstrated in in Bosnia, Iraq and Afganistan. It is the true citizens army and should be expanded not reduced. For those Civil servants in the treasury it is also, man for man, significantly cheaper than the regulars. The cost of having a Military School of Music is probably similar to the cost of the TA!!
Comment by Katie on December 1, 2009 at 1:13 pm
I think Andy has a fine idea about setting up a reserve civil service to ave money. Maybe they too can go on operations and risk their lives with no training like the TA!
Comment by Nick Burrows (Stabilisation Advisor, Helmand) on December 25, 2009 at 6:22 am
While it is true that the government has found some money for TA training, it is equally true that some parts of the TA are still left with no funding and its members are expected to train on no pay. While the Officers Training Corps do not have an operational role, they are the primary source of young men and women for the future officer’s of the Regular Army. Many of these young people will be serving in Afghanistan in less than two years time. They have made their commitment but the goverment and the Armed Forces have let them down by not keeping theirs. The signal being sent out to the future leaders of the Forces is that at best they are at the bottom of the pile and at worst they are worth nothing. We cannot afford to send out that signal to the next generation.
Christmas Day, Helmand, Afghanistan
Comment by james johnson on December 27, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Why must the “senior volunteer reservists” recieve special rcognition?
I fully support the armed forces in every aspect but i think that medals and awards should only be given for exceptional valour and service to the queen and country.
That way they would be worth alot more to the soldiers that did recieve them.
The recognition of soldiers, seamen and airmen should not be given due to how many medals they wear but rather because they are wearing the uniforms of the armed forces in the first place. Its about time national pride was reinstalled in the classrooms rather than in the papers.
Comment by Witney accountants on January 4, 2010 at 4:54 pm
I totally agree – well done David
Comment by Steve on April 16, 2010 at 10:03 am
I joined the TA 3 years ago when I was 28. I work full time for the NHS and train for the TA whenever im not doing that. I’m due to go to Afghanistan on operation towards the end of this year (My first).
I understand the dangers and exactly what i’m putting myself through. I love my country and can see no greater honour in doing what i’m doing. On top of that the TA has been absolutely invaluable to me and my life. Confidence, Achievement, Fitness, comradeship and on top of all that knowing that what you are doing you are doing for your country and the safety of everyone there.
Over the past year I have seen numbers drop incredibly sharply. My TA unit is the biggest in Birmingham and we manage a handfull of trained soldiers every week now, as opposed to the 150-200 trained soldiers that are on our books.
The TA is good for this country and everyone in it, it shouldn’t be abused or forgotten about. Otherwise people like me will start saying, “Why am I doing this?”
- Steve
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