WITH reference to Eric Joyce's article today in which he supports the Government's proposed radical cutback of the Territorial Army in Scotland, I would contend he does the TA a grave disservice, apart from showing an ignorance of the functions of our reservists.
Yes, the Cold War would appear to have finished but that does not mean that peace reigns! At a time when the teeth arms of the Regular Army, particularly the infantry, are desperately short of men, where would Britain's posture in Bosnia be without TA infanteers? The TA's ability to ''flesh out'' under-strength infantry units has been well proven.
On a point of information, the Yeomanry unit in Scotland does not drive around in tanks but in stripped-down Landrovers in its reconnaissance role.
As Major Joyce points out, Scotland indeed gives more than its fair share of young men willing to serve their country - why then should we be asked to suffer proportionately more?
In the remoter areas of Scotland, the TA drill-hall is as much a focus for local communities as is the school, the church, and the village shop. And when there is a local disaster - such as the flooding in Elgin - the TA are in at the forefront of the work to restore services and help people.
The TA also plays a major role in helping recruitment to the Regular Army in Scotland by acting as the local link between Army and local community. Take this away and Scottish recruitment to the Armed Services will be that much harder.
Finally, to criticise SNP defence policy on the basis that the party spokesman has a background in education rather than military matters is somewhat inappropriate given that the recently-promoted Labour Minister for the Army, Dr John Reid, was formerly an activist in the Communist Party!
Fergus Wood, TD,
Ledard Farm,
Kinlochard, Stirling.
August 19.
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