BFBS Radio Sitrep

Scotty Mills had an incredible 32 year career in the Royal Marines, but it only happened because he wanted to get out of the rain one day.He led a daring mission in the opening moments of the Iraq war, has helped England football and Rugby players reach international glory, and marched on the world stage at London 2012.Scotty tells Kate Gerbeau how he learned a Royal Marines mindset for success, and about becoming a writer to share those lessons with the rest of us.

Sitrep looks ahead at what 2023 may have in store for the UK’s armed forces. Where might they find themselves sent and why?We also dig into new figures which show the forces are shrinking again – because people are leaving significantly faster than they’re joining.After a year dominated by war between Ukraine and Russia, we assess what will happen next on the battlefield, and in the Kremlin.And Professor Michael Clarke gives us his guide to ‘mousetraps’ around the world, the potential trouble spots already spring loaded and waiting to be triggered.

How much can you remember from a truly historic year?How many days did Russia plan for fighting in Ukraine, and how long has it actually been going on? Just how many munitions is Ukraine firing every day in its fightback?Sitrep tests a panel of experts on the numbers that spell out the scale of Europe’s biggest war since the 1940s, and the stories from elsewhere that have been overshadowed.What’s it all meant for Britain’s armed forces, while Westminster has been in turmoil?We also reflect on the huge military contribution to national mourning for Her Majesty the Queen, and see how much the panel know about the military background of King Charles III.

More than a thousand servicemen and women who might have expected to celebrate Christmas at home are now standing by to cover for striking workers.The PM says we owe them gratitude, but after two years of Covid work over the festive season is the goodwill of the Armed Forces being stretched?The head of the Armed Forces says the UK must ‘think big’ on the future of defence, after the invasion of Ukraine. We’ll analyse his annual keynote speech.Plus what is Skynet, and why is the UK prepared to put billions on the line to keep it updated?

Billions have been spent sending weapons and equipment to help Ukraine over the last 10 months. Sitrep hears from the logistics team at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois about how contributions from the United States reach Europe. The programme hears that lessons learnt from the evacuation from Kabul about information sharing have helped with their current Ukraine operation.And what advice are the Chiefs of Staff getting from their Senior Enlisted Adviser? Sitrep has spoken to WO1 Rick Angove about culture, training and the impact of the cost of living on forces personnel.

Fragments of a soviet era missile, designed for nuclear war, have been found in Ukraine. Russia appears to be firing the AS-15 Kent with ballast instead of a warhead.Sitrep explains why Moscow is using these expensive missiles as decoys.As a new zero-tolerance policy comes into effect in the forces, for unacceptable sexual behaviour, we ask Sarah Atherton MP whether it delivers the change she’s been driving for. And should Afghan interpreters, who served with British forces, be awarded a medal? We speak to a veteran of Op Herrick, and his interpreter, about their call for medallic recognition.

Some soldiers are turning to food banks, or looking for second jobs, as they try to cope with soaring bills and prices.Sitrep talks to the Army’s most senior soldier about how the cost-of-living crisis is affecting the men and women he represents, as he appeals to those struggling to speak up and explains what help the service can give.Inflation has also effectively wiped billions of pounds out of the MoD’s spending power, so what will that mean for the planned update to the UK’s military master plan?And we visit Oman where a new thirty-million-pound hub for UK forces is growing rapidly.

Sitrep talks to the British Army’s most senior soldier, whose job is to keep top brass in touch with the experiences of the men and women of the army.WO1 Paul Carney tells James Hirst the big issues that are affecting soldiers, and how he’s trying to ensure commanders understand them.He also talks about drawing on his own family’s experience of sexual harassment in the drive to end ‘unacceptable behaviours’.And he shares his own journey through the Army, including making mistakes and recovering from them.  

The missile that killed two people in a Polish village was almost immediately reported as being Russian, but now is put down to an ‘unfortunate accident’ as Ukraine defended itself.Sitrep explains how we got to that important truth before a major misjudgement was made.We also reports from Poland where hundreds of British troops deployed to help the NATO ally have been on exercise.And we assess the announcement of an abrupt end to Britain’s decade long military presence in Mali, despite the fact no one’s saying it’s ‘job finished’

Ukraine has achieved its biggest victory since the early days of the war by liberating the city of Kherson from 8 months of occupation.But what comes next?In this extra edition of Sitrep we hear from Kherson where residents are celebrating, to a background of artillery fire.We also talk in detail to the former top military commander of NATO, General Philip Breedlove, about what moves we can expect next from Russian and Ukrainian forces.He also explains his frustration with limits and red-lines set by countries like the US and UK, which he believes are tying one hand behind Ukraine’s back as it tries to defend itself.