MoD Information

What is Going on MoD?

Mon, March 17, 2003

Source: Ananova News

A Territorial soldier has been sacked by the Ministry of Defence for answering the call-up papers it sent to her

A Territorial soldier has been sacked by the Ministry of Defence for answering the call-up papers it sent to her. Private Jenny Long, 20, was a driver at the Bicester Army depot in Oxfordshire when she received the demand to join the regulars in Kuwait last month.

Delighted, she approached a senior officer to sign her release papers only to be told that she would be given two-weeks unpaid notice and her job would not be held once she returned to England.

She was also docked two days pay for the time she was forced to take off to undergo the Army medical.

And when she complained that her treatment was unfair she was told that since she was on a 52-week contract the MoD had no obligation to preserve her job.

Now in Kuwait as part of the UK 1st Armoured Brigade, Private Long, from Hull, is determined to remain with her regiment in the hope that her employers will reconsider their decision.

"Even if they are legally correct that they didn't have to keep my job for me the Army, above all employers, surely has a moral duty to make sure I'm looked after," she declared. "After the way I've been treated what message does that send to young people considering joining the TA or the regular army?

"I am prepared to answer the call of my country in a time of great hostility but the very same people who have sent me here have decided to reward me by taking my job away."

MoD chiefs said they wanted clear up any misunderstanding as soon as possible.

A spokesman said: "We want to investigate this case further because under the Reserved Forces Act protection of employment is given to personnel. "We want to make sure the circumstances are properly understood and if there has been any sort of mistake it should be put right and she should get her job back."