Current Affairs The Defence of the West

[Del-boy]

I think it’s only a matter of time before conscription of some form comes back. Young people now simply don’t want to join the military in the numbers that they used to. Why is this? I think it’s not straight forward to answer. I know the pay isn’t great when you start, but I’m sure that people who do join up, don’t join for the pay. Younger generation now simply don’t want to work shifts, nights, or physically demanding jobs. It’s all about having a social media channel of some sort.

Our military is shrinking year on year and there will surely be a tipping point whereby we simply cannot defend the nation. In particular overseas.

This ain’t just restricted to the UK. It’s the same with military’s all over the world.

 

[Rita_Poon]

I think it’s only a matter of time before conscription of some form comes back. Young people now simply don’t want to join the military in the numbers that they used to. Why is this? I think it’s not straight forward to answer. I know the pay isn’t great when you start, but I’m sure that people who do join up, don’t join for the pay. Younger generation now simply don’t want to work shifts, nights, or physically demanding jobs. It’s all about having a social media channel of some sort.

Our military is shrinking year on year and there will surely be a tipping point whereby we simply cannot defend the nation. In particular overseas.

This ain’t just restricted to the UK. It’s the same with military’s all over the world.

Have you watched the news, there's conflict in a lot of places, and it's really all rather graphic. x factor winner instead please.

[edit: and the uk doesn't have a nation overseas]

 

[Del-boy]

Have you watched the news, there's conflict in a lot of places, and it's really all rather graphic. x factor winner instead please.

[edit: and the uk doesn't have a nation overseas]

I know that. But the military has been having recruiting issues since before the Russia/Ukranian war.

I do agree with you though, seeing graphic frontline videos probably helps people make up their mind to stay well away from the military.

The illegal wars in Iraq and Afghanistan probably hasn’t done anything for recruitment as well.

Germany now thinking about bringing back conscription due to lack of interest in people signing up.

 

[Del-boy]

Have you watched the news, there's conflict in a lot of places, and it's really all rather graphic. x factor winner instead please.

[edit: and the uk doesn't have a nation overseas]

I was referring to places like the Falklands.

 

[Rita_Poon]

I know that. But the military has been having recruiting issues since before the Russia/Ukranian war.

I do agree with you though, seeing graphic frontline videos probably helps people make up their mind to stay well away from the military.

The illegal wars in Iraq and Afghanistan probably hasn’t done anything for recruitment as well.

Germany now thinking about bringing back conscription due to lack of interest in people signing up.

There's a bigger issue, how ex forces get treated once their youth is spent, those with a bit about em get some training through the forces and can go on and be fairly prosperous. There is a graphic other end of that spectrum though. The recent issue with habitation for officers and such. Unfortunately it's like a lot of services, it is undervalued, and those commit to it don't fancy the rug being pulled out from under em when the coffers are dry.
A centre of excellence needed introducing about 30 years ago to get the best minds and mathematicians into the computer sciences, because I believe the uk is seriously lacking in the cyber warfare dept (in spite of what Q has to say in the latest Bond films). The tech aspect of modern warfare has seen the former rules of engagement eroded.

 

[Rita_Poon]

I was referring to places like the Falklands.

The oil has been promised to the Americans, safest place on earth till it runs out.

 

[Del-boy]

There's a bigger issue, how ex forces get treated once their youth is spent, those with a bit about em get some training through the forces and can go on and be fairly prosperous. There is a graphic other end of that spectrum though. The recent issue with habitation for officers and such. Unfortunately it's like a lot of services, it is undervalued, and those commit to it don't fancy the rug being pulled out from under em when the coffers are dry.
A centre of excellence needed introducing about 30 years ago to get the best minds and mathematicians into the computer sciences, because I believe the uk is seriously lacking in the cyber warfare dept (in spite of what Q has to say in the latest Bond films). The tech aspect of modern warfare has seen the former rules of engagement eroded.

I agree to some extent, cyber warfare if the future and there needs to be better support for veterans and also serving families with housing.
However, what the Russia/Ukranian war has shown us is trench warfare isn’t going anywhere. And despite what Boris said, tanks are actually still needed on the battlefield.
Good quality drones and drone operators seem to be the way forward now as well.

Fully agree with you about Q though. Prefer the old one.

 

[davids]

Just been reading about the U K's decade of appeasement. Though Chamberlain comes in for some hefty criticism and even though he will have been genuine about his desire for peace, the U K started rearming in 1933 under Baldwin and carried on bulding up during Chamberlain's leadership.

Given the uncertainty of America's commitment to NATO and the increasing noise from those who oppose the West, surely the time has come to build up materiel, manpower and make the argument to persuade populations, for whom the idea that defence is worth a spit, is foreign.

Are the values that we preach (but don't always follow through on) worth defending? At what cost? Just how much are we prepared to sacrifice if anything? Who are the statesmen with the will to see through programmes which may well not be immediately popular? Do we need stronger defence against the insidious tide of fascism washing thrrough Europe and America? How could that be done?

A lot of you will know about Field Marshal Lord Roberts and his decade long traipse up and down the U K before the Great War. Although ridiculed by The Manchester Guardian for his efforts, he insisted that reserves should be built up and that the country needed to wake up to the threat from Germany. Do you think we're at that point?

I believe the clock is ticking and that the best way of avoiding a cataclysmic war is to be prepared to fight one. What think you, good people?

Regarding Chamberlain,saw a documentary that basically stated if he played for time because the Spitfire wasn't ready,no Spitfire,no UK