The Ministry of Defence has apologised for any distress caused after sacking 38 soldiers – including one on the front line in Afghanistan – by email.
According to the Sun newspaper, the warrant officers, who had each put in more than 20 years of service, received a round-robin email from career manager Major Andy Simpson indicating that their contracts would be terminated by this time next year.
The men, who have a combined 836 years of service, were on rolling ‘Versatile Engagement Long Career’ contracts. Soldiers sign up to ‘Long Service List’ contracts after undertaking 22 years of outstanding service in order to allow them to continue with their careers.
The email said: “In my capacity as the Career Manager for the Versatile Engagement Long Career (VEng LC) and Long Service List (LSL). I write to notify you that with regret, I must issue you with 12 months’ Notice of Termination. As I’m sure you are aware, the Army has to make significant cutbacks, and we as the VEng LC & LSL are expected to play our part in reductions.”
Amid confusion over how the break in protocol occurred, the MoD was forced into undertaking a damage limitation exercise. It said: “We apologise for the inevitable distress this will have caused. Commanding officers have now spoken to the soldiers to ensure they receive the necessary advice and support.”
According to the MOD’s Defence news, defence secretary Dr Liam Fox, said: "I am furious that such a situation should occur. This is no way to treat our Armed Forces personnel. I want to know how this was allowed to happen and what measures will be put in place to prevent this from happening again."
Soldiers would normally be informed about their future via the military’s chain of command, with senior officers breaking the news to individuals in person.
Shadow Defence Minister Jim Murphy said: “To be sacked by email is a shameful and callous way to be treated.”
In news elsewhere, it came to light that the RAF is to make a quarter of its trainee pilots redundant as part of the coalition government’s budget cuts. About 100 individuals, whose training costs about £4 million each, will be given the news today when head of training, Air Vice Marshall Mark Green, visits the RAF’s three flying schools.
Some of the pilots are only a few flying hours away from earning their wings and have reportedly offered to take pay cuts or a sabbatical in order to avoid the axe. Their training has already cost the government about £300 million.
One trainee told the Daily Telegraph: “This is madness as so much money has been spent on us – it’s a really hard pill to swallow. It feels like we are only numbers and no one cares.”
The MoD’s budget was cut by 8% following last year’s Strategic Defence and Security Review.
