Don't you think this is a shameful way for the MOD to treat a soldier?

Question

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/north_east/7598445.stm

I think it is utterly disgusting!

Answer 1

I don't know exactly what a MOD is. (I'm American).

I am surprised that the UK doesn't take care of their soldiers while on leave...In the States our Soldiers/Sailors are covered while on personal leave or away from station...as long as they are not AWOL (absent with out leave or committing a crime.)

As long as you are an active duty member of the armed forces you have 24/7 medical benefits. It is when you get out you have troubles here.

I feel for the man and his family. I will keep him in my prayers.

Answer 2

The MOD is correct in saying that he was on leave when the accident happened. His recourse is to claim on the drivers insurance for compensation or sue the driver in court.  

Answer 3

The soldier was not on "Army Duty" at the time.

Why should the MOD pay for something that is not their fault?

I would pay all the bills if any of my employees were at work,but if they injured themselves in their own time (on holiday) then that is their problem.

Answer 4

I saw that news item.

The manager should be fired.

He didn't even want to be interviewed, the weak person that he seems to be  

Answer 5

The MOD has just got upset at a hotel refusing to give an off duty soldier a bed for the night, and a letter has been sent by the Armed Forces Minister, Bob Ainsworth.

What a contrast! It seems amazing that the MOD could not repatriate this injured soldier themselves - they took him out there and away from the NHS. He was off-duty in Poland because he was serving there. He should have been treated and repatriated by the MOD.

Yes I agree - this is shameful and disgusting, but typical of the way officialdom works these days. We are ruled by the bottom line and there is no room for compromise or humanity.

Funny there is no comment from the Armed Forces Minister on THIS one - but of course the official line will be that they cannot comment on individual cases - unless it suits the spin doctors of course.

Perhaps Bob Ainsworth would like a few letters about it?

Answer 6

Disgusting it may be, but it is utterly consistent with the way the Armed Forces treat the ever-renewable pieces of meat that walk through their recruitment-office doors.

Answer 7

In this instance, no.  The soldier in question was on leave at his own expense and should have had insurance cover, as do the majority of people when they go on their annual holidays.

He didn`t hence not the MOD`s problem.

Beastie - if I get skittled by a car whilst on holiday my HOLIDAY INSURANCE will get me what I need.

To the questioner - I am an ex-serviceman and both my children are in the forces, my son only recently returned from his honeymoon and guess what, he had holiday insurance, just in case (he went to Cyprus, where there are UK military bases).  I have the greatest respect for all servicemen and women.  If my answer offends, your problem, not mine.

Answer 8

bloody disgraceful. Just like the hotel I was reading about yesterday who turned away a soldier because they have a no-military policy

Answer 9

The situation was saddening and unfortunate, but there is no shame: the MoD has no duty of care in this instance.

The individual in question was responsible for arranging his own travel insurance, something which he singularly failed to do. His brother is on record as saying, 'He didn't have insurance because he has served in Iraq and Kosova and basically thought if he survived that he wouldn't have any problem in Warsaw.'

One would not wish such terrible injuries to befall on anyone, and the nation is rightly grateful to those who risk their lives to serve the crown. However, even the MP who took up the case, Angus Robertson, was forced to concede, 'It is true to say he was not on active service with the Army and it is not the Army's responsibility to repatriate everybody who finds themselves in difficult circumstances when they are not on duty.'

Answer 10

The solider has given his life up to defend our country so we should repay him with help as he needs it.

Answer 11

Shocking !!   The UK Government should hang their heads in shame ...Why no one has started a fund to get this poor guy home is unbelievable....  The good thing - if you can call it that - that has come out of this is - a sad warning to other off duty personell...  make sure you have  adequate travel insurance - the government wont help you out.

Answer 12

"The soldier was not on "Army Duty" at the time.

Why should the MOD pay for something that is not their fault?"

>>I concur with this statement

Answer 13

Unfortunately the guy should have had travel insurance, if he worked for Marks and Spencer would they pay to repatriate him? I think not.

If he had been in a country where there are UK Military bases it may have been different (Germany, Cyprus) but in this instance the MOD (Ministry Of Defence for Barbmatt) is unable to react.

While I was in the military I always made sure I had travel insurance for holidays and even for driving home to the UK from my base in Germany.

I'm not too sure that the US DoD would repatriate a soldier injured on leave if there were no US bases in that country

Answer 14

My, it's good to see all those sympathetic 'he was on leave so it's his problem' type of answers. Hope you lot never get skittled by a car on holiday.

On leave is the lamest, crappest reason they could possibly have come up with. The fact that is a military rule is makes it all the more pathetic.

A serviceman on leave is on call twenty-four hours a day. He can be recalled to his unit at any time, therefore to say he's not getting any help because he's on leave smacks of 'out of sight out of mind.'

Utterly shameful. The MoD are the most two faced bunch of b@stards on the planet. Horrified because a soldier was denied a room; unwilling to help another soldier lying in a foreign hospital in a coma.

Should have had travel insurance is utterly irrelevant. He should have been able to rely on his employers. The comment about 'would you expect Marks and Spencer to come and get you' is both ignorant and insulting. You don't send a Markies employee into a warzone. If you did, I'm d**n sure they'd expect more support when something goes badly.