David Cameron's "rack 'em, feed 'em and change 'em" training routine for "raw recruits" from civvy street to soldier in the front line in 28 weeks is typical of "bums on seats" rationality.

No youngster of 18 years of age should be ready to fight or die until he or she has had at least 18 months learning the "trade".

And 18 is too young to go to the front line anyway. Twenty is the minimum limit that they should be sent to war.

The armed forces are our greatest asset but they are treated as cannon fodder once they are wounded and this is where the resultant lack of interest in joining the armed forces stems from.

The fact is they are deemed a burden. Living and fighting for your country is by far the greatest personal endeavour any one person will make and therefore the Ministry of Defence and the military top brass should ensure they are given the best.

The tools of the trade and the best medical assistance that exists should be given them instead of this second-rate NHS expertise they are forced to accept.

Our fighting forces deserve a compact medical care policy second to none and it should be contained within the military itself not the NHS.

What has transpired due to fiscal cuts is a secondrate medical service that has come under severe criticism because the MoD has failed in its duty of care for our armed forces.

  • Jim Evans, Montague Place Kemp Town Brighton