Leadership: <b>November 26, 2002</b>

November 26, 2002

There are growing complaints from the Royal Marines about new government policies that adversely effect morale and readiness. The current New Labor government is determined to insure that multiculturalism becomes firmly entrenched in the British military. This has meant efforts to determine if members of minorities are well represented in the ranks. The troops fear that this will mean a quota system for promotions, and the government has taken no steps to convince the troops otherwise. The government has also taken a keen interest in "Health and Safety." But this has resulted in such absurdities as adding steps and handrails to muddy slopes on obstacle courses to reduce accidental injuries to troops running the course. One Royal Marine Commando observed that the government should model these new safety features on the steps and guardrails he and his fellows encountered in the hills of Afghanistan. The troops are also vexed by a recent, much publicized, pay raise for the troops. What the government didn't mention in their press releases was that increases in charges for food and accommodations, which resulted in a pay cut. The troops did notice that. And potential recruits have noticed as well, and are staying away in droves. The government response is to lower the recruiting standards, often to the point where men and women woefully unsuitable for military service are being accepted. This often takes the form of passing recruits who have, in the presence of training NCOs, repeatedly failed required tests. As a result, an increasing number of veteran troops are getting out. More of these soldiers, sailors and marines are going public about the situation, and the British media, ever eager for another government scandal, are picking up on it. No response from the government yet.