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| Many soldiers 'think of quitting' | Many soldiers 'think of quitting' |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| One out of every five soldiers wants to quit the Army "at the earliest opportunity", with many blaming overstretch, an MoD survey suggests. | One out of every five soldiers wants to quit the Army "at the earliest opportunity", with many blaming overstretch, an MoD survey suggests. |
| More than half "often think about quitting", and 38% blamed "operational commitment and overstretch". | More than half "often think about quitting", and 38% blamed "operational commitment and overstretch". |
| Responses came from 2,306 soldiers, 42% officers, between March and July 2006. Most were based in the UK, but 102 were in Iraq and three in Afghanistan. | Responses came from 2,306 soldiers, 42% officers, between March and July 2006. Most were based in the UK, but 102 were in Iraq and three in Afghanistan. |
| The MoD said job satisfaction among soldiers had never been higher. | |
| A rising number of soldiers are no longer given the full recommended rest periods between operations. | A rising number of soldiers are no longer given the full recommended rest periods between operations. |
| And only 30% of the ordinary soldiers who responded to the survey were satisfied with the notice given for extra duties. | And only 30% of the ordinary soldiers who responded to the survey were satisfied with the notice given for extra duties. |
| Unfair treatment | Unfair treatment |
| Almost three out of every five rated their workload high or very high. | Almost three out of every five rated their workload high or very high. |
| Only 31% felt "valued", and nearly one out of every four - 23% - said their morale was low or very low. | Only 31% felt "valued", and nearly one out of every four - 23% - said their morale was low or very low. |
| The same proportion expressed fears they were not doing the job for which they were trained - but 71% continued to "enjoy" the job. | The same proportion expressed fears they were not doing the job for which they were trained - but 71% continued to "enjoy" the job. |
| The survey also revealed dissatisfaction with the way the Army deals with complaints about bullying, harassment, discrimination and other unfair treatment. | The survey also revealed dissatisfaction with the way the Army deals with complaints about bullying, harassment, discrimination and other unfair treatment. |
| Of the 27% who had made complaints, less than one out of every four were happy at the way they were handled, with 17% calling Army discipline "unfair". | Of the 27% who had made complaints, less than one out of every four were happy at the way they were handled, with 17% calling Army discipline "unfair". |
| 'High morale' | |
| Military chiefs say troops are stretched but deny any "overstretch". | |
| An MoD spokeswoman told BBC News the survey indicated morale was higher than it had been during the same period last year. | |
| Most respondents had said they had "high" or "very high" morale and were satisfied with their equipment, she added. | |
| While 64% of soldiers had said they were "fairly satisfied" or "very satisfied" with their job - more than ever before. |