Order, counter-order, disorder

"Order, counter-order, disorder" is an old saying in the army, you only really understand its significance when you are put into a position of command are are trying to get soldiers to the right place, at the right time, with the right kit. If you keep changing their instructions chaos will ensue.

This is a lesson the current government could do with learning. The TA have been told to train more and support the regular army. They did just that. Then they were told to stop training for six months. Then just as that order was being disseminated they were told to start training again but not as much as before.

Talking to TA soldiers and their officers there is a great deal of confusion. Are they valued? Are they needed? Will the TA continue? What should we tell the soldiers?

I was at a briefing of London's reserve forces last week. The General commanding London explained the problem, the limitations that he was working within and his plan to make the best of the situation. By the start of this week the government's U-turn made all his plans obsolete.

Labour's ineptitude is undermining soldiers, both regular and TA, at every level. It has to stop.