Forces survey: your views

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/talking_point/7500063.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Almost half of UK military personnel are ready to leave the forces over issues such as frequency of tours, level of pay and quality of equipment, a survey suggests.

Here BBC News website readers who have served in the forces or have family in the military share their views on the subject.

PAUL, SCOTLAND, FORMER SOLDIER

It comes as no surprise to me that so many want to leave I left the infantry in 2003 after 24 years and after serving in the Falklands, Bosnia, Sierra Leone and Iraq.

Soldiers serving in the army today face far more frequent tours than troops did in the past. There are many people out there doing back-to-back tours in the tough environments of Iraq and Afghanistan.

I don't think many people in the UK realise how difficult these environments are. There are so many good soldiers who will be lost to the army because they will drop out after two or three tours. There is simply only so much troops can take in these countries.

I ran into a young squaddie recently who showed me the impact of such wars - his chest was riddled with gunshots wounds from an ambush. How long will he stay in the army?

So it comes as no surprise to me that so many want to leave and have some time with their families.

Substantial number of those leaving will also try to get work with private security firms in Iraq, Afghanistan and across Africa.

Who can blame them - they get better pay, good leave rotations and, in most cases, have good equipment.

SUZANNE, CAMBRIDGE, ARMY WIFE

My husband and me both take enormous pride in the job that soldiers do My husband is just about to embark on his third deployment in three years.

It is just so stressful. When they aren't over seas they are away training for deployment to keep their skills up to the high standard needed.

Housing is also inadequate. We currently occupy a very small three-bedroom house with two teenagers and a baby.

The baby is in our room to allow the teenagers to have their own space.

Our home life is very stressful. Yet my husband and me both take enormous pride in the job that soldiers do.

TOM, WINCHESTER, FORMER OFFICER

The real issue is the nature of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan I left the army last June. Before then I served as an officer in Iraq and I have to say it is obvious why so many want to leave and morale is low.

I don't really think it is a question of money, equipment or accommodation.

The real issue is the nature of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Armies are good at completing simple objectives. But in both those countries we are fighting complex operations against guerrilla forces with no obvious end in sight in.

In Afghanistan, for example, some cities have been captured and re-captured several times. So this is bound to impact on morale.

The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan do not have popular support. And, in my opinion, the war on terror has made the UK a more dangerous place. Again this is bound to hit morale.

Soldiers aren't stupid. They join up to go on operations, get their fill and leave.

GARY COX, SURREY, PARENT OF SOLDIERS

The main problem is not so much the regular tours, but the gaps in-between. Both of my boys - aged 19 and 22 - are in the army and have served in Iraq, Afghanistan and more recently Kosovo.

The main problem is not so much the regular tours, but the gaps in-between.

They are going from one extreme to another all the time. From the intensity of warfare, to sitting around and doing nothing.

For example, my eldest son has just come back from Kosovo and faces a five month wait before going out to Afghanistan.

When they try to get on courses they are told that they are required by their unit because they are in a quick response unit.

PAUL M, BEDFORDSHIRE, FORMER SOLDIER

I think that every serviceman complains about his lot, it's almost traditional. As a former Royal Marine of 25 years service I was also at times 'dissatisfied' with my 'lot'.

I think this is inevitable when it is such a tough job.

However, it did not stop me serving - and proudly enjoying my time with the Royal Marines - for the long time that I did.

I think that every serviceman complains about his lot, it's almost traditional.

I do sympathise with the number of tours soldiers have to do today.

But let's get this report into context if you asked every civilian how they felt about their jobs you would probably get similar or worse results.