DF Commission Report

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/defence-vs-public-expenditure-row-flares-up-over-where-savings-made-on-pay-should-go-42255510.html

As far as I can see, they did not.

In fact, the idea of AGS opining on national security matters in a public forum, is bonkers.

A very serious business! Almost bloody hopeless! Somebody needs to think outside the box here to find a solution. Maybe consider raising a regiment overseas, as other countries have done, EG. France, Spain, Britain Germany, the Vatican...

Sob 😭

1f2fe2a4-2bb8-4303-9750-c6cb4cfdf3db.pdf (www.gov.ie)

High Level action plan update.

Took me 10 years in my present job to reach that level.

There is however a large cohort of exers and others who will dismiss any progress being made.

Better accom? "We shared a 10 foot by 20 foot cabin , all 40 of us and we were happy- modern generation is too soft!"

Better wages? "If the govermen didnt make things so expensive, they woulnt need better pay! I scraped by on 20 pounds a week once I paid my Ma rent and cleared my mess tab."

New Equipment? "Who they gonna get to drive/fly/sail them. We should keep the antiques we have in use and pay the lads properly first (see above). The 1950s era Armoured vehicle/ship/aircraft I used in the 1980s is miles better than anything modern"

Gender/Diversity/Bullying? "Woke nonsense! We had NCOs that used to beat us to death daily, then rape our corpse, and it made us the men we are!"

And don't get me started on the Opposition in Government, who want everyone to start on 50k a year, but at the same time oppose any increase in defence spending.

Thing is, that update was due in January. The creep has already begun.

The Army Orbat has remained unchanged since its foundation a century ago, still infantry focused, with Combat Support and Combat service support in diminishing levels of priority. Names may have changed here and there but we are still designed around fighting WW2.

My point is, it is obvious (I thought) that it must change.

We are so far behind though, is there the appetite for the transformation that is necessary?

DPER.

It has resisted any and all attempts to fix issues with DF pay and allowances, as well as increasing the defence budget, at every opportunity. Even the ARW allowance, which other courts outside the state have ordered must be backdated, has yet to be paid.

Fair point.

At least so far the Government pushed through the first of the big budget increases and procurement on some of the significant capital items.

I guess we will see whether or not MM has the mettle to keep the pressure on Paschal and his mandarins to address the remuneration issues and hoover up the many small issues that need tackling.

RTÉ saying there is a tidal wave of awful allegations in the report.

bullying and toxic culture

assaults - physical, sexual, verbal

rape

katy Hannon on morning Ireland now tearing into the PDF

There is nothing like a strongly worded letter from county councillors to get things moving

Bleedin gombeen men. Haven't a clue.

Unlike the completely non-strategic approach to Defence for the last 70 years, they'll have to approach it from the standpoint of, 'what do we require of a national defence structure and how soon do we want to get there?'

The Commission report gives a good overall ballpark in terms of the command and control, joint force structure, service equivalency and for the Army specifically, being able to field the equivalent of a small mechanized division with all its operational and support units, with increased firepower and up-armoured IFVs, along with improved capacity in the intelligence and cyber defence commands, under the Army umbrella.

Whatever way the implementation group bring all these elements to the table, one thing is for sure, they've got a mother****er of a job on their hands.