Time and again, recent governments have preferred hitting the panic button to telling the public things they don’t want to hear.
Warm words about those serving oversees ring hollow when their families are shivering in sub-standard accommodation.
Media portrayals of ex-servicemen and women as PTSD-riven criminals shapes public perceptions and hurts the prospects of those leaving the Armed Forces.
The conventional war on the Central European landmass unfolding before us is a massive international event – comparable in security terms to a 9/11.
A Foreign Office civil servant said one thing and Downing Street says another. What happened?
Whatever the outcome of Sue Gray’s investigation, we must draw a line under the questions being faced by the Government.
In particular, the escort fleet needs to double in size by acquiring more low-end capability to carry out presence operations and other low-end tasks.
Those in power seem to actively dislike the culture which has made Britain’s forces globally respected.
It is one of the finest examples of ‘have your cake and eat it’ dishes ever served up for public consumption.
There has been a hugely positive change in mindset when it comes to soldiers’ mental and physical health. Now we need to do more.
It would seem to compound an injustice to invite these Afghans to join the back of the queue for resettlement assistance.
It can become the best again, but only if the land forces element is revisited in the Government’s proposal.
There is a danger that the military becomes merely a reserve of manpower for domestic services, rather than an instrument of our global ambitions.