Death of the Scottish Infantry

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In March 2006, the Whitehall axe came down on the ancient Scottish regiments, ending 373 years of history in one morale-crushing swoop.

The Royal Regiment of Scotland is now the only Scottish line infantry regiment and represents the home for all line infantry north of the border.

Widely considered a tragedy for the military in Scotland, the impact has gone well beyond the loss of identity and morale. Recruitment in Scotland (once the rock-hard core of the British Army) is down 41% over 10 years - compared to 13% across the UK.

For a second, there was some excitement in the ranks of the Royal Marines after the government finally confirmed it was acceptable to board shadow fleet vessels in the Channel. Even Russia thought something might happen, rerouting various ships out of harm’s way.

But then everyone realised it was the British government they were dealing with… so it was safe to completely ignore it. As of a few days ago, more than 25 shadow fleet vessels had passed through the Channel since Keir Starmer’s “threat”.

Soz, bootnecks - feel for you, really do.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump have both taken aim at the UK for not helping to re-open the Straits of Hormuz. Hegseth said, “Last time I checked, there was supposed to be a big, bad Royal Navy that could be prepared to do things,” while Trump said British aircraft carriers were “toys” compared to US ones.

Cheers dits.

Big events from the past, covered in brief and probably inaccurately.

By the late 1940s, the world was tired of mass warfare, so an institution was created to ensure that an enduring peace would follow. That organisation was the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation - core to its power was the principle that an attack on one was an attack on all. NATO has been the most successful defensive organisation in history, overseeing an unprecedented 75 years of peace in Europe.

As NATO undergoes arguably its greatest test in living memory, the alliance is on shaky ground.

Let’s hope common sense prevails.

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.

Good few options out there for a slightly better balance after you leave service. Give us a follow - it will probably change your life.

Bored of asking - they’ll love Despatches and we’ll love them.

Cheers,

Team Forces Assist

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