What do you think of Armed forces personnel selling story?

[temi]

This news has dominated the press, the government is now having a rethink as indicated in excerpt below, what do you thing?






The Ministry of Defence is to review rules allowing personnel to sell stories to the media following the row over the Navy crew held by Iran.

[OldWelshGuy]

I think it is disgusting, and this interview also sows that it is foolish to send women to the frontline in a battle. She has admitted to giving more than name rank and serial number so she should be court martialled NOT rewarded.

[temi]

I completely agree with you James, its really awful

[dhscott]

I agree, I mean, all their careers as Military personnel are now over surely?

I believe the rule is Women aren't allowed in combat roles in the military, so front-line action I suppose.

The more important question is would you, as a mother, continue your role in the armed forces or ask for a more back-room role? Infact, the same applies if you are a father surely? Why would you risk it?

[temi]

Ummm,
I think anyone who joined the armed forces knows what to expect may or a woman. The main issue is this thing of taking money from the press.

[funkypilchard]

it all looked a bit staged on the footage, I have heard some quite vehement arguments over this, personally I think it detracts attention from more important issues, British forces on the ground in Iraq who face far more serious threat of death/torture etc..

on the other hand, not that I agree with what they are doing by telling their stories, imagine if you were given the opportunity to sell a story like this for 50k regardless of how much you love queen and country, that could be a life changing amount of money.
I think the MOD are the ones to blame, and to put another spin on this... did anyone realise that an interview between (sky?) with one of the guys prior to capture had him on film saying they were there to gain "intelligence" on Iran and admitted they were close to their waters, sky withheld the interview tapes (either out of compassion or by a deal with the MOD) until AFTER the release so as NOT to jeopardise the safety of the captives, obviously any whiff of spying and it could have been messy for all concerned.

Is it possible the MOD did a deal over this?

[temi]

I really do not think they should sell their story regardless of how much they were offerred, just think of the people still facing danger in Iraq or those killed on the same day thos guys were captured etc etc it strikes me as betrayal, this guys are still serving, if I were in the same unit with them I will not be that confortable any more

But then again, there are two who absolutely refused to sell their story, I think those two are the heros.

[funkypilchard]

very true, I think you would have to expect some serious come-back for selling something like this, it has all kinds of implications within the forces, I watched a programme on the Falklands recently where the Welsh guards were bombed while they were sitting ducks on one of the ships, it was really upsetting to watch TBH, apparently the MOD are still being hounded over this as they never came out and admitted to the families that it had been a complete shambles.

[OldWelshGuy]

They have sold their stories, they have gone on camera saying that they were threatened and co-ersed into admitting they were wrong. What will happen to the next soldier/sailor/marine that gets picked up by Iran now?

THEY wil pay the price for THESE soldiers/sailors/marines, selling their stories.

As I said previously disgusting!

Speaking as an ex serviceman I would have loved the chance to suppliment my income by selling my story.
BUT...

There should be some time delay in being able to do this to protect the servicemen still in active areas. You can mention things that you,and the general public will not realise are relevant as useful to the enemy...BANG you mates DEAD!!!

I also disagree with the LIVE broadcasts...man the enemy force must LOVE that...who needs to send out a reconecense team when you have the BBC.

You sign up...you take the oath..get on with it