Your weekly dose of defence news, biased opinions and poorly curated content. You’re welcome.
TOP STORY THIS WEEK
Occupation of Gaza City begins
Israeli forces have launched their major new offensive on Gaza City, pushing deeper than ever into some of the most heavily built up areas of the strip. Full occupation of Gaza was finally approved by Israel’s security cabinet as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu successfully swatted away naysayers, including the IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, who allegedly felt the occupation would trap the military in the city and further threaten the hostages in the region.
IN OTHER NEWS
The (limited) fallout from the Alaska Summit continues
Fresh from his Alaska Summit, on Wednesday Trump said that the Europeans were “willing to put people on the ground [in Ukraine]. We're willing to help them with things, especially, probably, by air.” All sounding positive for Kyiv.
Predictably, within 24hrs Russia said European troops in any part of Ukraine was out of the question and would be tantamount to “foreign intervention”. To add further salt to the wound, the Russians then went on to bomb an American electronics factory near the border with Hungary. If Trump wants his Nobel peace prize, he’s sure got one hell of a job on his hands.
Who needs grown ups? We’ve got cadets
The MOD has pledged £70m in funding to boost cadet forces by an additional 40,000 over the next five years. The plan is part of “30 by 30”, a cleverly named initiative to increase cadet numbers 30% by 2030 (see what they did there).
We’re being flippant - apparently 20% of cadets go on to join the forces - so it can only be a positive.
THE RUMOUR MILL
There is no guaranteeing the veracity of these stories, it’s just what we’re hearing.
MOD ‘denies’ plan to add High Vis Yellow to dress regs
The MOD has apparently dismissed rumours that High-Vis Yellow (HVY) will soon be part of dress regulations. Insiders claim HVY has seen “unprecedented operational success” on deployments, often outperforming MTP. One Sergeant told us: “Three tours, 10 years, and my HVY’s been worn more than my MTP. If there was an enemy out there – they’d see us.”
No one from the MOD was available to comment further, which is weird.
THIS WEEK IN HISTORY
Big events from the past, covered in brief and probably inaccurately.
13th August 1961: Construction of the Berlin Wall begins
On 13th August 1961, construction of one of the most potent symbols of the Cold War commenced: the Berlin Wall. It would grow to be 155km long and separate East and West Berlin for some 28 years. The fall of the wall on 9th November 1989 would become one of the defining moments of modern history, ushering in a new era across Eastern Europe and beyond.
IN THE MEDIA
Podcast: The Crisis Room
Current affairs podcast hosted by former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos, journalist Mark Urban and ex-Home Secretary Amber Rudd. Talking all things geopolitics, military and beyond. Good.
JOB SPOTLIGHT
Changing things up? This is where we briefly look at career options from across the civvy world - everything goes here so expect some absolute drivel. Sometimes Forces Assist can help place you, sometimes we can’t. Either way we can offer advice.
Learn skills; get jobs. Duh.
There are shed-loads of skills-based courses dotted all over the world wide web that you can access for free now. Standing out from the crowd on civvy street takes a bit of proactivity but if you can make time each week to build up your quals, you’re far more likely to land that top interview. Go for it.
We talked about this in detail on our Insta:
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
We’re always looking for drivers
Over at Forces Assist we’re always looking for qualled up drivers nationally. If you have driving qualifications and are looking for work then head to forcesassist.com to start conversations.
That’s it. Surprised you’ve got this far to be honest.
Joking aside - please ask everyone to sign up - we’re trying to build something positive here and any help is very welcome.
Cheers,
Forces Assist.