Scottish independence: A Scottish army would be too boring to attract recruits, says general
Lord Dannatt said that being part of a locla force would not be fulfilling. Photo: PA
A FORMER top general has warned that an independent Scottish army would struggle to find recruits, because military life would be “too boring”.
Lord Richard Dannatt, a former chief of staff, made the comments yesterday as criticism of Alex Salmond’s plans for a Scottish defence force began to mount.
But the First Minister hit back at the Conservative peer, accusing him of joining other senior Westminster politicians in “talking Scotland down”.
Mr Salmond revealed last week that a Scottish defence force would have one RAF base, one naval base and a brigade of about 6,000 troops.
But questions have arisen over what the Scottish defence forces would do, because most British military interventions have been opposed by the SNP, while the party also wants Scotland out of Nato.
It was also pointed out that the SNP had, in effect, accepted coalition cuts to the forces as Scotland’s “ideal” position, despite for years claiming that there has been a severe defence underspend north of the Border.
Yesterday, Baron Dannatt said: “If it [Scotland] just wants a relatively small territorial defence force to look after the integrity of Scotland, for people in the Scottish regiments that’s a pretty boring prospect.
“Being part of a larger British Army, doing things the British armed forces do, well that’s a pretty fulfilling career and lifestyle to have.
“Just to be part of a very small local defence force would not be very fulfilling.”
He also said Scotland would face a massive bill to “replicate” the Faslane-based nuclear submarine capability, currently paid for by Westminster.
Sir Richard Dannatt was appointed Chief of the General Staff (CGS) in August 2006, succeeding General Sir Mike Jackson. He retired in 2009, taking up the largely honorary post of Constable of the Tower of London.
Between November 2009 and the general election in May 2010, he served as a defence adviser to David Cameron
His comments were supported by Colonel Clive Fairweather, a former SAS commander and senior officer in Scotland. He said: “I remember that I joined the army in Scotland as a pimply 17-year-old for adventure, travel and pay.
“You certainly won’t get adventure and travel if they are not part of Nato, so I agree that this will have an impact on recruitment.”
He added: “The point is that for the foreseeable future Scotland is not going to be under any military threat, so there is unlikely to be any call on their forces to do anything other than helping out the United Nations on occasions as blue berets.
“With the British Army it is different, so it will have an extra edge in terms of recruitment.”
But speaking yesterday, Mr Salmond said that the criticisms were part of a Westminster approach to talk Scotland down.
He argued that the Nordic countries had shown the way on having significant defence forces in smaller states.
The First Minister said: “When you get senior politicians apparently in all sobriety, who talk about a Scottish defence force being some sort of gendarmerie, now would they say that about the Danish defence forces or the Norwegian defence forces or the Swedish defence forces?
“Of course they wouldn’t, that seems to be insulting, pejorative language that they save up for Scotland.”
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Comments
There are 45 comments to this article
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Rob Da Bruce
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 02:01 AMRemember don'y buy any submarines from the English, they'll burn up on the way home, and sit in drydock for the rest of ther lives.....we're changing ours into a kids play ground over here in Canada....
Devid Flecher
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 12:34 PMComment removed by moderator
Anagach
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 06:59 AMMost armies of the World are not looking to constantly be blowing people up, they do not suffer from lack of recruits for that reason. Economic success and better alternatives is usually the reason for a lack of recruits. The UK armed forces have struggled to fill their manpower quota in the last decade dispite importing commonwealth troops, despite the insantiy of Iraq and the march towards our 4th Afghan loss. Is the chance of an American, Israel led attack on Iran pulling in the voluteers ?.
Kinghob
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 11:59 PMHe is stating how big his British weapon is in the picture. Looks like he is exaggerating!
flyinngscott
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 08:06 PMIs the missing caption, "My pension ? About this much in £100 notes, and half as much again from the lords gravy train. Chicken feed really, compared with the non-executive directorships down the line"
Dasachtach
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 06:47 PMThe Scotsman ideologues are struggling to find decent anti-independence stories these days, by the looks of it.
Davie08
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 06:45 PMYeah not killing people is soooo boring!
McThuselah
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 04:08 PMBridge the Cat! I thought it was (he was knicknamed) "Bell the Cat"? or didn't you recall that bit of 15th century Scottish history? Sorry to be personal, but couldn't resist it.
Seahunter
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 03:39 PMBridge the cat. You just have commented, obviously your school was seriously overcrowded, thats if you went to school. Or did your mummy forget to pick you up? Go and watch Braveheart again, your older brother will be in from school soon, he will show you how to switch the DVD on, cos when they fall off the back of a lorry, you don't get the instructions!
bridgetthecat
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 01:43 PMComment removed by moderator
Gordon Hay
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 12:54 PMGen. Dannett was treated with scorn, and his views dismissed, by this and other media when he first took the Tory shilling, but now his views are to be given great weight - wonder why?
Kinghob
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 12:40 PMBored armies eh? Who'd have fought it!
flyinngscott
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 12:24 PMWouldnt it be fun to see what would happen if whoever is co ordinating the headline grabbing scare stories, which are invariably lacking in substance, was outed. Cant see it being some entity north of the border, we all know that SLAB are barely able to tie their shoe laces. You dont think general dunnit took it upon himself to spout forth do you? The pattern seems to be calling in favours from has beens, then blowing what they say out of proportion in a headline. Simpering Lord Steel yesterday,dopey dunnit today, jimmy krankie tomorrow.... Independent Scottish pantomimes too boring...
brianwci
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 12:00 PMIt is likely to attract a different type of recruit, along the lines of less warlike Scandinavians and Dutch. Youngsters interested in a more peaceful role for the army. For those who want to rush off to the nearest killing fields they can go and join the English army.
Cord McNally
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 11:08 AMThe best site for the nuclear subs once Scotland kicks them out will be right outside Westminster. Park them at that outdoor Westminister barrestaurant where MP's love to sit. What? You mean those MP's don't want the subs there, next to them? Why, that's a huge surprise, and no mistake.
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