As a wife of a serving member of the army whose husband is at the moment away on tour in Kosovo, and as I work within the MOD myself, I agree 100% with what your programme says in every sense of the word.

Lisa Collins, England

Probably newsworthy given the current global situation but unfortunately only skimming the surface of the real issues. Where does defence spending on equipment sit in relation to schools and hospitals? How do you prepare soldiers for war when our education system (and lack of discipline and, for example, competitive sport) gives us wholly inadequate recruits who suffer 'trauma' going through basic training?
John Stanley, Germany

I've just been watching with great concern about the lack of recruitment in the armed services. What happened to 'national' service? Does the present government realise what is happening to what was once a 'Great Britain'?
Steve, England

As a wife of a serving member of the army whose husband is at the moment away on tour in Kosovo, and as I work within the MOD myself, I agree 100% with what your programme says in every sense of the word. The equipment is out of the ark, the soldiers are not helped to get over the traumas of war and there are not enough doctors or specialists in any of the services. The forces should pay people more and give their active personnel (i.e. soldiers, sailors & air personnel) more money and incentives to stay. Doctors, for example, should get up-to-date facilities and equipment
Lisa Collins, England

Service peoples' lives are not a statistic, an 'acceptable risk' or a balance sheet item.

Bill Graham, UK

I am an ex-Porton Down Veteran who left the Army after nearly 19 years service. I only just managed to avoid being medically discharged after being under the care of a psychiatrist. Although posted to aid my "recovery" I was put onto shift work by my unit oc who told me that illnesses like mine were self-induced. No wonder I broke down and decided to leave. Kind regards
Ian Foulkes, England

I would like to add my comments. First, friendly fire: With the pace of war we need some sort of satellite distinction for our troops and armour. Fit to fight: when I joined up in 1975, I was a young boy, looking to become a man. After a year's training, I was ready for the world. I would come home at weekends and be ready to fight with anyone, trained to fight 24/7, 356 days a year. On leaving the army it took me at least two years to settle down in one place. And now the twist, I was a soldier in the King's Troop, a soldier in charge of stables in Germany, so not your full combat soldier. What do they endure?
Mark Webster, UK

I would like bring to your attention, regarding the 4x4 report on the Gulf War and the inability of the military to respond sufficiently to the needs of traumatised military personnel, that, having been involved in the 'first' Gulf conflict as a therapist, considerable developments have taken place in the field of 'desensitisation' techniques. This has greatly reduced the time of treatment, and vastly increased its power and effectiveness. I have worked a great deal using and developing this kind of treatment myself in private practice. See: http://www.mckenna-breen.com
Philip Jensen, UK

They (the MOD) should be made to pay regular visits to the forces serving abroad. They know and care nothing beyond their own comfy surroundings. Good programme. God bless you.

Bob Jenkins, England

Thank you for highlighting the plight of the British Army. My husband is presently serving in Bosnia and would support your programme as he has told me many times of the shortages which currently affect the army as a whole. His previous job was the Chief Flying Instructor and he was totally frustrated by the military hierarchy and the government's attitude. There are 'perks' within the military but it doesn't make up for the time that families spend apart from loved ones. The Navy is worse. The firemen do have a case but the lance corporal is poorly paid and is now being expected to cover yet another service and no-one highlights their poor pay and conditions
Margaretha Northam, UK

It might have been appropriate to point out that 60 years ago, during the Second World War, allied aircraft had a reliable IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) system which did an enormous amount to prevent 'friendly fire' incidents. So why haven't we got one now? Answer: Armchair soldiers, sailors and airmen, and worse still, bureaucrats and accountants who will never know the true situation but pontificate (like the naval officer in tonight's programme) from the air-conditioned safety of Whitehall. Service peoples' lives are not a statistic, an 'acceptable risk' or a balance sheet item. A massive culture change is essential in the MoD and the Treasury if our soldiers, sailors and airmen are ever to go to war feeling they have the best back-up this country can provide. They deserve it. We who sit at home owe our lives to the selflessness of our service personnel.
Bill Graham, UK

I was 18 years a soldier, then I worked as a contract security guard. It's the pompous, free lunch-chasing MOD people who are the problem. They should be made to pay regular visits to the forces serving abroad. They know and care nothing beyond their own comfy surroundings. Good programme. God bless you.
Bob Jenkins, England

After 22+ years service I am still trying to get help and the health authority will not pay for it. I need help.
Terry C Carter, Greater Manchester