Brace your families for war, Army told
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THE Army’s top warrant officer has ordered troops to prepare their families for the possibility they could be sent to fight against Russia.
Paul Carney, 42, also said Britain’s armed forces must make sure they are physically fit enough for war.
WO Carney, the Army’s most senior noncommissioned officer, issued his grim warning ahead of next week’s six-month anniversary of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
In his column in Soldier magazine, he said: “I want us all to check that as far as possible we are physically fit for operations. And it is also important that we prepare our loved ones and families, who often have the hardest role in our absence.
“My ask is that you have discussions about a potential deployment with them now.
Prudent
“Find the contact numbers for support networks and the relevant people who can help them such as the unit welfare officer and padre.”
WO Carney, a Royal Engineer, added: “The world has changed and we must be prepared for new realities.”
His call was backed by General Sir Richard Dannatt, former head of the Army, who told the Sunday People: ”This is prudent advice from the Army’s top soldier.
“It does not mean that the British Army is about to deploy to Ukraine but it is the duty of any army in peacetime to prepare for war.”
British troops have been helping to train Ukrainian armed forces and Royal Marines are stationed inside the British embassy in the capital Kyiv. Millions of pounds worth of UK weapons have been sent.