Tag Archives: defence

The staff course essay question

Posted on 25/07/2010 by

I’m on the Advanced Command and Staff Course (Reserves) at the moment.  A course at the Defence Academy for senior officers in the three military reserves; Territorial Army, Royal Navy Reserve, Royal Marines Reserve and the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.  … Continue reading →

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The looming deployment

Posted on 21/07/2010 by

I received an advance copy of my mobilisation order last week, and I’ve been thinking it over for a few days.  A bit of reflection on what needs done, and some reflection on the impact of the deployment.   Inevitably … Continue reading →

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How to build… and the Royal Navy

Posted on 29/06/2010 by

I watched ”How to Build a Nuclear Submarine” on Sunday evening, part of a series of documentaries about significant engineering projects.  This episode was about the construction of the Astute boats.  I had a bit of a vested interest as … Continue reading →

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Service in the reserve forces

Posted on 01/06/2010 by

In the UK we have two types of military reserve, the regular reserve  and the volunteer reserve.  The regular reserve is made up of retired officers and other ranks, doesn’t involve a training commitment but the individual can be mobilised … Continue reading →

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Liam Fox lives up to expectations

Posted on 22/05/2010 by

It’s reported in the Telegraph that Liam Fox has made his first faux pas as Secretary of State for Defence, stating that the UK is not engaged in Afghanistan for the ”education policy” but to assure UK security. There are … Continue reading →

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Electoral decisions – Who do I vote for?

Posted on 06/05/2010 by

Everyone else is coming up with their ”endorsements”, so a few thoughts on what’s guided my voting decision. First, we vote for an individual, not a party and more specifically not a party leader.  I’m not sure what kind of … Continue reading →

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Reflections on homosexuality in the Armed Forces

Posted on 31/03/2010 by

I read this article in the Independent yesterday, discussing the approach to homosexuality in the Foreign Office leading to the removal of the bar on employment in the 90s, and now to the civil partnership ceremony for a Foreign Office … Continue reading →

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Tories and procurement transparency

Posted on 16/02/2010 by

Tories are proposing that all public sector contracts with a value of over £25k should be published. That’s ostensibly to improve transparency, encourage competition and improve access to the public sector Market for Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SME). Lots … Continue reading →

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A sudden enlightenment?

Posted on 07/02/2010 by

Liam Fox is reported in this weeks Telegraph, discussing the forthcoming Strategic Defence Review.  There’s one on the way regardless of which bunch get in at the next election, and in my opinion it’s well overdue.  HM forces are maintaining … Continue reading →

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The guillotine and defence procurement cost inflation?

Posted on 04/02/2010 by

The Chilcot inquiry has now heard about the massive cut to defence funding shortly after operations in Iraq started.  At the same time there is a lot of criticism of MoD for the cost escalation of various programmes, in particular … Continue reading →

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