29 Oct 04. The MoD published Version 1 of an Efficiency Technical Note. The Note endeavours to explain how the MoD is to deliver 2.5% “efficiency gains” each year from 2005/06 to 2007/08, equating to £2,830m by 2007/08. Paragraph 3 of the Note starts: “A key aspect of the MoD’s Efficiency Programme is reducing military and civilian staff numbers.” Table 1 on DNA page 3 shows when the reductions are planned to be achieved, while Table 2 shows the personnel strengths forecast for 1 Apr 08. Comment: The 26-page Note is a financial document, but some detail is added to the changes/reductions announced by the Defence Secretary on 21 Jul 04. As might be expected in a publication which could have originated in HM Treasury, ‘efficiency’ is often euphemistically used when ‘cuts’ are described. The Note was, apparently, only ‘published’ on the MoD website (www.mod.uk/issues/finance/efficiency.htm). (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS Issue 04/42, 8 Nov 04)
29 Oct 04. The MoD’s Efficiency Technical Note [Item 3] states, at para 44, that some MoD staff were “being relocated as part of a plan to dispose of the Old War Office Building”. (The Old War Office in Whitehall is a freehold property, with a July 2001 National Asset Register value of £63.37m.)Comment: As recently as August 2004 the MoD’s house journal, ‘Focus’, confirmed that the Old War Office was to be retained following redevelopment of the Main Building (while five other buildings were for disposal). The Defence Secretary was so impressed by the Old War Office that, in July 2001, he signed the Foreword to a history of the building. Having described the “imposing Edwardian Baroque exterior and splendidly restored rooms and stairways”, Mr Hoon drew attention to “the work we do to preserve our heritage and to look after the historic buildings that we occupy”. The Philistines have struck again as yet more of “our heritage” is thrown away. To bury the above intention in an obscure document is shameful. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS Issue 04/42, 8 Nov 04)
29 Oct 04. 20 senior members of Iraq’s MoD and Ministry of the Interior attended an eight-day course at the NATO Joint Warfare Centre (JWC) in Stavanger, Norway. The course started on 1 Nov 04 and was tailored to meet the needs of Iraqi security personnel. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS Issue 04/42, 8 Nov 04) Comment: The course served as a pilot project, for possible follow-on training at the JWC or in Iraq. The UK currently provides the JWC’s Director, Major General J H T (James) Short OBE.
09 Nov 04. Kaman Corp. announced the appointment of John J. Tedone as assistant vice president, internal audit, reporting to Robert M. Garneau, executive vice president and chief financial officer.
07 Nov 04. Colonel (Promotable) Robert M. Brown, Special Assistant to the Commanding General, United States Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, to Deputy Commander for Systems of Systems Integration, United States Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, Fort Belvoir, Virginia.