‘Act of sheer desperation’ says Military Speakers’ Colonel Richard Kemp, after Army announce extra 5 days holiday for troops

The Army has granted soldiers an extra give day's holiday, on top of their normal 20 days annual leave, in recognition of their hard work during an 'exceptionally busy year'.

After G4S' failure to meet Olympic security demands, the army was called in to work 'over-time' across the London 2012 Olympic and Parlympic Games. On top of this a number of our troops had to work at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and during the fuel tanker drivers strike. 

Therefore, by way of a 'thank-you' the MOD have given all troops an additional five days holiday during the Christmas period.

Colonel Richard Kemp, a former head of the British ground forces in Afghanistan and a current Military Speaker, believes that the move, which will see military buildings closed, is a way of cutting utility costs.'Shutting down the Army for an extended period over Christmas is an act of sheer desperation by military commanders starved of cash by the government.'

'The troops themselves will welcome the extra time off. But nevertheless, to an Army at war this sends an insulting and morale-sapping message that makes it entirely clear just where spending priorities do not lie'said Richard.

He added'For a few office-bound staff home-working might be possible but even among these the majority are tied to classified and networked computer systems that they do not have at home'.

Colonel Richard Kemp, an accomplished corporate speaker for the speaker bureau Military Speakers, is particularly well respected in the army after serving in the British armed forces since the age of 18.

In response to Kemp's criticism an army spokesman said'to suggest the Christmas leave plan is a cost-cutting measure is ridiculous.'

'In recognition of the exceptionally busy year the Army has had - including leading vital support to the 2012 London Olympics, the fuel tanker drivers' strike and diamond jubilee - Christmas leave has been extended'

Essential staff will remain on duty and there will be no impact on the mission in Afghanistan.

Colonel Kemp is a popular speaker and his expertise includes the Israel/Palestine Conflict