Posted on 04/18/2005 9:08:41 AM PDT by Brig_Gen_George_P_Harrison_CSA
Army recruits 'beaten as they slept'
By Fiona Govan
(Filed: 18/04/2005)
An inquiry has been launched into claims that Army recruits suffered a regime of vicious beatings and bullying at a Scottish barracks.
Several soldiers in the Royal Highland Fusiliers have complained that they were subjected to unprovoked attacks, known as "bleaching", by colleagues as they slept.
The assaults are alleged to have taken place over two years at the regiment's Fort George barracks, near Inverness, and while the soldiers were serving in Cyprus.
One cadet claims that he attempted suicide after receiving 10 "bleachings" and another claims that was taken to hospital after being hit in the face with an iron.
Another young private has complained that he was beaten about the head with a metal bar.
Several members of the regiment have reported that they were regularly bullied and harassed by non-commissioned officers under the influence of drink and drugs.
Northern Constabulary and the Royal Military Police said yesterday that they had been called in by the Government to investigate the complaints, which were made last month.
Adam Ingram, the Armed Forces minister, said the Army's Special Investigation Branch had been investigating the allegations.
"There is an SIB investigation under way into the anonymous allegations that have been made," said Mr Ingram.
"I would call upon anyone with information about the wrongdoing to which these allegations point to come forward.
"They have nothing to fear," he assured young soldiers.
Police in the Highlands have also confirmed that they have been asked to conduct a parallel investigation to the Army's inquiry.
Det Sgt Eddie Ross explained: "We have been asked by the procurator fiscal to investigate allegations of assault upon recruits stationed at Fort George."
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said yesterday: "It is inappropriate to comment at this stage as an investigation is under way.
"However, we take allegations of abuse very seriously.
"If found guilty the perpetrators of such a crime face dismissal from the Army and a custodial sentence."
Well, clearly this is a scandal that goes All The Way To The Top. How can the British Army hope to win over the hearts and minds of the British people if this is how they treat people? It's just further proof that the British invasion of Britain was a war for oil, without UN sanction. It's proof that this was nOT a war for democracy! The British should withdraw from Britain now.
This could be carried out with the consent or urging of superiors, or not..
Recipients of such beatings are usually those that make no effort to perform or conform.. usually both..
They should simply be declared "unfit for military service" and mustered out..
"Private Pyle, I have failed to give you the proper motivation!"
Recruits suffered "a regime of vicious beatings and bullying"? Are we at the point where even the English can no longer speak English?
One more time, with feeling: According to Merriam-Webster, a REGIME is "a : mode of rule or management; a form of government (a socialist regime); a government in power (predicted that the new regime would fall); or a period of rule."
A REGIMEN, on the other hand, is "a regular pattern of occurrence or action (as of seasonal rainfall); or "the characteristic behavior or orderly procedure of a natural phenomenon or process."
Tomorrow: "reign" vs. "rein".
Whats to stop the vic from pummeling the crap out the perp or at least defending himself with a knife or shiv
The British Army appears to be suffering from a lack of discipline
__________________________________________________________
It is more an abuse of rank than lack of discpline. I have no kinds words for the MoD. It is led by Geoff (Buf)Hoon, the man who went skiing before we invaded Iraq. Problems like this come across in most Armies and as per usual higher ups deny and ignore until it blows up in their face.
That said, you do need to be of a certain mind and quite tough to serve in the British Army. I have several friends who serve and what they see as humour and practical jokes I see as assault.
" Recipients of such beatings are usually those that make no effort to perform or conform.. usually both.."
I saw a Blanket Party inflicted upon a boy who was, I believe, mildly retarded. He always had his pockets filled with crap during inspections causing untold grief to the rest of us. He wasn't malicious, just slow, but some of the vicious a**holes in the company just had to beat him up.
He was put in the Brig until his discharge came through (he wet the bed) and I was one of the chasers that was assigned to escort him to the chow hall. I tried to protect him from the other denizens in the cells as much as I could and even managed to two-block the running lights of one of his attackers later on.
This kind of crap should not be allowed and should be punished harshly. If the NCO wants to discipline the recruit then let him do it instead of hiding behind other recruits.
The Pocket Oxford Dictionary also defines regime as "an ordered way of doing something; a system"
The Oxford Pocket Dictionary defines regimen as "a course of medical treatment, diet or exercise, followed to improve one's health"
Fighting cannibalism in the Navy, should be a priority.
.
"There is no cannibalism in the British navy, absolutely none, and when
I say none, I mean there is a certain amount." - Sir John Cunningham
.
very troubling
I agree with you completely..
I am also familiar with similar circumstances, except in my case the person was epileptic, and hid his condition from the recruiters..
His condition became obvious when he had a seizure on the firing range..
Luckily, no one was hurt, but he was immeadiately placed on "administrative hold" and quickly discharged..
Likewise, as a correctional specialist and NCO, I saw similar cases of physical and mental disability over the years..
I merely described the situation as I have seen it, I never condoned it..
It is however, a part of military life in the past..
Hopefully, such behaviour is no longer tolerated, but I saw such behaviour not only tolerated, but encouraged as late as '76 - '77..
" Posted by Drammach to dljordan
On News/Activism 04/18/2005 10:58:56 AM MDT · 13 of 13
I agree with you completely..
I am also familiar with similar circumstances, except in my case the person was epileptic, and hid his condition from the recruiters.. "
Good grief! He must have really wanted to enlist. I volunteered in 68' and they would still put a boot up your butt back then.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.