Mackenzie Morgan – Aerospace Consultants

Help For Heros

You may not know, I spent many years serving in the Royal Air Force, both as an airman and finishing my career as an Engineering Officer. I have been out of uniform for 11 years now, though for a number of years, I was supporting the military from the other side of the fence.  For the last 10 years of my service I was actively involved in appointments directly supporting operations, split between the former Yugoslavia and the enforcement of the no-fly zones over Iraq amongst other smaller humanitarian operations.

I have more than a passing interest in the position of our military, many former colleagues are still serving in a number of diverse locations; one thing they all have in-common is that they will rotate through Afghanistan. I am frequently concerned that the Government and the population have become disconnected from the role of and obligations to our Armed Forces. We continually appear to be trying to do things on the “cheap”, our Government’s support to our military does not match their rhetoric with respect to our position (real or perceived) in the world’s pecking order.

I listened with great interest last week as Prince William opened a new gym and swimming pool at Headly Court, the MOD’s rehabilitation centre, I was struck with two conflicting thoughts; a sense that at last the troops coming home, in ever increasing numbers and with ever greater injuries, were going to get the facilities they needed, the other thought was that we have paid for this twice! I have supported Help for Hero’s, in fact it the chosen charity of the youth rugby team I coach, and I do not grudge the support, my concern is that if charities such as this continue to support our returning troops, the government are being let off providing what should be a state provision.

I agree with the Prince’s comments, the support generated, by the general public with respect to this cause, does show the British public in a very good light, what he perhaps omitted to say was that it portrayed the government in a poor light, in that they were not supplying the necessary support services. I believe that we should have strong military, but the military and foreign policy stance should be properly funded. If it cannot / won’t be funded properly, we should withdraw from  our role as a leading power on the international stage. The government, whatever party or combination of parties should not be allowed to continue striding the world stage without due consideration of the sacrifices that are being accepted those delivering that foreign policy.

I will continue to support Help for Hero’s and encourage our boys to, but I want the Government to stick to their side of the military covenant.

Your comments and feedback will be most appreciated.