Summer leave seems a distant memory; life is full on again, there is a huge amount going on and we as an army are going to continue to be very busy in the coming months.
Kit has dominated recent Soldier issues – notably the work going on with UAS – and the wider equipment issue has been on my mind as we move into the autumn.
A visit to the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) event in London was a real eye-opener in terms of how fast technology is moving and how we are adopting new thinking. Well done to everyone involved on the British Army stand – it was an impressive showcase.
For me, it showed just how important the relationship is between us and industry.
You might already have heard the phrase ‘techcraft’. It describes the work that goes on between the technologists responsible for producing our kit and us as tacticians – and DSEI was an example of this in action.
I have always served in the Royal Signals – a cap badge where you often deal with the latest advancements. But the cold, hard fact is that change is coming fast now.
In some cases, new tech is making our jobs easier and in others far harder.
It is more vital than ever, then, that we keep the channels of communication open; making sure we properly feed back our experiences on exercise, for example, so that specialists can do their job meeting our needs.
If you want to report back on something, make sure you go through your chain of command in the first instance.
On a separate note, I want to ensure that we as soldiers maintain the highest standards expected of us.
We have a responsibility like no other. It involves serving our country at a time of war and, if required, taking the lives of the enemy. So our conduct must hit a higher bar than most.
Misogyny, sexism, bullying and racism have no place in this army. The chief of the general staff has already been clear on this. Like him, I expect courtesy, decency and the highest professional behaviour at all times, on or off-duty, home or away.
Hold yourself to the highest standards and please ensure you call out the bad stuff.
