The head of the British Army has expressed concern about poor morale among troops.
The head of the British Army has expressed concern about poor morale among troops.
Gen Sir Richard Dannatt also raised the issue of the strain placed on resources by operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Gen Sir Richard Dannatt also raised the issue of the strain placed on resources by operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
According to an internal report obtained by the Sunday Telegraph, Sir Richard said troops felt "devalued, angry and suffering from Iraq fatigue".
According to an internal report obtained by the Sunday Telegraph, Sir Richard said troops felt "devalued, angry and suffering from Iraq fatigue".
The Ministry of Defence said he was referring to individuals, who were not necessarily widely representative.
The Ministry of Defence said he was referring to individuals, who were not necessarily widely representative.
A spokesman said: "The feedback given by lower ranks in the army helps the chief of the general staff to stay firmly in touch with life across the army and this helps to guide in him his discussions with the chain of command and in his decision making process."
A spokesman said: "The feedback given by lower ranks in the army helps the chief of the general staff to stay firmly in touch with life across the army and this helps to guide in him his discussions with the chain of command and in his decision making process."
'Care package'
'Care package'
The report catalogues disquiet on a wide range of issues facing soldiers, including poor housing when they are in the UK.
The report catalogues disquiet on a wide range of issues facing soldiers, including poor housing when they are in the UK.
Gen Dannatt also said the military covenant - the guarantee of a duty of care between the government and the armed forces - is "clearly out of kilter".
Gen Dannatt also said the military covenant - the guarantee of a duty of care between the government and the armed forces - is "clearly out of kilter".
He added: "We must strive to give individuals and units ample recuperation time between operations, but I do not underestimate how difficult this will be to achieve whilst under-manned and with less robust establishments than I would like."
He added: "We must strive to give individuals and units ample recuperation time between operations, but I do not underestimate how difficult this will be to achieve whilst under-manned and with less robust establishments than I would like."
We strive constantly to ensure that the armed forces have the best possible package of care Des Browne, Defence Secretary
We strive constantly to ensure that the armed forces have the best possible package of care Des Browne, Defence Secretary
Gen Dannatt issued a further statement on Saturday in which he said: "The military covenant is not broken, but more needs to be done.
Gen Dannatt issued a further statement on Saturday in which he said: "The military covenant is not broken, but more needs to be done.
"In response to our concerns we have had some welcome news this year on medical treatment, equipment, pay and improvements in accommodation."
"In response to our concerns we have had some welcome news this year on medical treatment, equipment, pay and improvements in accommodation."
In a separate Sunday Telegraph article, Defence Secretary Des Browne said concerns the covenant "is in any way broken are wrong".
In a separate Sunday Telegraph article, Defence Secretary Des Browne said concerns the covenant "is in any way broken are wrong".
He said the government was now "asking a lot" of the services and their families and Iraq and Afghanistan were placing "huge demands" on personnel.
He said the government was now "asking a lot" of the services and their families and Iraq and Afghanistan were placing "huge demands" on personnel.
He added: "That does not mean that we, the government, cannot do better.
He added: "That does not mean that we, the government, cannot do better.
"But the truth is that we strive constantly to ensure that the armed forces have the best possible package of care."
"But the truth is that we strive constantly to ensure that the armed forces have the best possible package of care."
In September, Gen Dannatt said he was becoming increasingly concerned about "the growing gulf between the Army and the nation".
In September, Gen Dannatt said he was becoming increasingly concerned about "the growing gulf between the Army and the nation".
He said soldiers were sometimes greeted with indifference on returning from service and contrasted the attitude in Britain with support for soldiers among people in the United States.
He said soldiers were sometimes greeted with indifference on returning from service and contrasted the attitude in Britain with support for soldiers among people in the United States.
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