Long-term cancer study of the Armed Forces community announced

The Ministry of Defence has announced a new UK-wide study into cancer among serving personnel and veterans who have served since 1990.

The research will use existing NHS records, so no action is required by serving personnel or veterans. Initial findings are expected to be published annually from 2027.

Current evidence suggests that overall cancer rates among Armed Forces personnel

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Low-level blast injury: What is the current state of record-keeping and research for UK forces and veterans?

The Australian Department of Defence announced a couple of months ago that it had commissioned a major Army study into how repeated low-level blast exposure may affect soldiers’ long-term cognitive function. The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) now has a paywalled story that:

Secret report warns ADF weapons risk brain injuries to troops
Secret Defence documents have revealed Australia’s military was warned 15

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Ajax: The equipment must fit the soldier, not the other way round

The latest report from the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee contains a striking observation about the Army's troubled Ajax armoured vehicle programme. It concludes that the Ministry of Defence is placing "unrealistic expectations" on soldiers operating the vehicle safely while underlying noise and vibration issues remain unresolved.

Anyone who has spent any time in an armoured vehicle – which

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Recruits rejected on medical grounds 2024-26

An MOD written parliamentary answer to James Cartlidge MP (Cons, Shadow Secretary of State for Defence) reveals that in just under 20 months, nearly sixty thousand applications to join the armed forces were rejected on medical grounds.

The answer also revealed striking disparities amongst the figures for the respective services -

Rejections per service

  • Army: 45,680 rejected on medical grounds
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