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Fifth of infantry 'unfit for war' Fifth of infantry 'unfit for war'
(40 minutes later)
Almost 5,000 soldiers and officers - or 20% of army infantry personnel - are unfit for frontline combat duties, Ministry of Defence figures show.Almost 5,000 soldiers and officers - or 20% of army infantry personnel - are unfit for frontline combat duties, Ministry of Defence figures show.
Some are not fully deployable because of physical or mental injury or illness, or lack of fitness, others because of non-medical reasons.Some are not fully deployable because of physical or mental injury or illness, or lack of fitness, others because of non-medical reasons.
The data from a Parliamentary written answer showed 19 battalions had fewer than 500 fully deployable soldiers.The data from a Parliamentary written answer showed 19 battalions had fewer than 500 fully deployable soldiers.
The MoD said most classed as medically non-deployable could still contribute.The MoD said most classed as medically non-deployable could still contribute.
A small number include the under-18s and pregnant female soldiers, or those unable to deploy on compassionate grounds.A small number include the under-18s and pregnant female soldiers, or those unable to deploy on compassionate grounds.
'Difficult decisions''Difficult decisions'
Conservative MP Bernard Jenkin, who obtained the information, told the BBC: "To have 20% of the infantry unfit for the duties they are primarily employed and trained for is quite a staggering figure.Conservative MP Bernard Jenkin, who obtained the information, told the BBC: "To have 20% of the infantry unfit for the duties they are primarily employed and trained for is quite a staggering figure.
"This reflects the long-term effect of sustained operations, and it's worth remembering the government may pay for extra ammunition and other costs of operations, but they don't fund the recruitment and training of personnel to replace those who are left unfit for combat.""This reflects the long-term effect of sustained operations, and it's worth remembering the government may pay for extra ammunition and other costs of operations, but they don't fund the recruitment and training of personnel to replace those who are left unfit for combat."
More than 1,000 servicemen and women have suffered combat injuries in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001.More than 1,000 servicemen and women have suffered combat injuries in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001.
Maj Gen Patrick Cordingley: "The figures are alarming"
Maj Gen Patrick Cordingley, who commanded the Desert Rats in the first Gulf War, says he is deeply concerned by the figures and warns that difficult decisions lie ahead.Maj Gen Patrick Cordingley, who commanded the Desert Rats in the first Gulf War, says he is deeply concerned by the figures and warns that difficult decisions lie ahead.
There isn't the money to go around Maj Gen Patrick Cordingley
"I think if this goes on much longer in Afghanistan, and the sad figure of soldiers who are wounded in such a way that they can't go back to frontline rises, it will undoubtedly become a problem unless you're allowed to recruit a lot more people, and take the strength of the Army above what it is now," he said."I think if this goes on much longer in Afghanistan, and the sad figure of soldiers who are wounded in such a way that they can't go back to frontline rises, it will undoubtedly become a problem unless you're allowed to recruit a lot more people, and take the strength of the Army above what it is now," he said.
The issue of how to deal with seriously injured personnel is a deeply sensitive one.The issue of how to deal with seriously injured personnel is a deeply sensitive one.
The Ministry of Defence has been studying whether some may have to be discharged on medical grounds, to ensure that the Army's fighting strength is kept up.The Ministry of Defence has been studying whether some may have to be discharged on medical grounds, to ensure that the Army's fighting strength is kept up.
But it is well aware that the issue has to be handled with care, with many of the injured keen to remain within the armed forces, if necessary in non-combat roles.But it is well aware that the issue has to be handled with care, with many of the injured keen to remain within the armed forces, if necessary in non-combat roles.
"Sooner or later, we have to decide what to do, and we have got to either ask those people to leave and recruit more, or make the Army bigger and recruit more," said Maj Gen Cordingley."Sooner or later, we have to decide what to do, and we have got to either ask those people to leave and recruit more, or make the Army bigger and recruit more," said Maj Gen Cordingley.
"Both are very expensive options, and there isn't the money to go around.""Both are very expensive options, and there isn't the money to go around."
The MoD insists it is committed to providing the best care for injured personnel.The MoD insists it is committed to providing the best care for injured personnel.
An Army spokesperson said: "The majority of those classed as medically non-deployable are fit enough to work in some capacity and therefore continue to make a contribution to the effectiveness of the Armed Forces."An Army spokesperson said: "The majority of those classed as medically non-deployable are fit enough to work in some capacity and therefore continue to make a contribution to the effectiveness of the Armed Forces."
Yet with the defence budget already under severe strain, some tough decisions may have to be made to ensure the British army has enough soldiers fit to fight on the frontlines.Yet with the defence budget already under severe strain, some tough decisions may have to be made to ensure the British army has enough soldiers fit to fight on the frontlines.