Daily briefing - general in fatigues

[Westfacing]

Is this to add gravitas and weight?

I really don't see the need for his presence, other than to maybe bolster Raab and 'big things up'.

So it doesn't matter what they do as long as they do something? Why would we take supermarket jobs away from people? Why should we work for private companies for free? That would mean tax payers money being used not only to subsidise private companies but also to actively stop other people earning money.

You'll have seen the Army are driving ambulances in some places, where the local NHS has identified a particular need. Would you like soldiers to put ambulance drivers out of work as well?

I mis read you post and thought you said "just work in a supermarket". My point remains though, if the NHS ask for help then the armed forces will help. Just like if a school asks for help or a local council. We can't just hijack other government departments.

And because you can't mobilise over 100,000 people in a useful way to help in a response against a virus, you suspect there's no point to the armed forces?

no we have no shortage of staff in the supermarket, people queuing up to join! I'm starting to think it's all a bit weird now, though. I know of only 1 death, in my town. We are close to a big city. I don't know of anyone who is ill, with the exception of a distant relative who has been hospitalised. None of my colleagues seem to either.
And if I can drive a delivery van on an ordinary licence I imagine army personnel can drive ambulances which are no bigger.
Maybe help just isn't really needed?
As I say, I just work in a supermarket. But NATO aside, what are the rest of the armed forces do with their time? Training and prepping for things that probably will never happen? I thought the general said some thing about looking after our nuclear arsenal? How many people does that employ? I realise a lot of what I am saying could be seen as antagonistic if you are connected with the forces, but I imagine a lot of ordinary people like me are think g the same.

Wow your hilarious! Ignorance must be bliss

*you're
Thanks, I try.

@Acertainsupermarket

The armed forces are to some extent, a massive insurance policy. Yes we train a lot for things that might never happen, the RN are responsible for NATOs continuous at sea deterrent. Making sure that every nefarious state or non state actor knows that they're in range of a trident missile, contributes to the world order. Just like being able to deploy 20,000 personnel I response to COVID 19, serious flooding, snow, foot and mouth or any other homeland emergency, as well as scaring Russian bombers out of our airspace, peacekeeping missions and supporting the UN. That takes quite a lot of people and the fact that you don't really know about it... tells me that we're doing a pretty good job.

That's not to say it doesn't frustrate the bones of me on a daily basis...

what are the rest of the armed forces do with their time
Global security
Fisheries protection
Humanitarian aid
Ambassadorial work
Protection of national interests and assets
Anti terrorism work
International negotiations and cooperation
Surveillance
Security data analysis
Provide expert support to NHS in trauma and rehabilitation medical staff in NHS hospitals
Peacekeeping work in recently settled areas
Hostage recovery
Logistics