War and Peace.. Scotland's Armed Forces in an Independent Scotland

Firstly.. I would like to declare for all to hear.. what you are about to read.. is a dream, my hopes in an Independent Scotland. I understand.. soldiers don't make war.. politicians do. I support those who fight for social liberty of their society.. Scottish Army, Navy, Air Force.

But I wish to talk about how you are funded.. and what .. I hope.. will be in an Independent Scotland. This is a heartfelt letter to any servicemen and servicewomen, who are questioning the political landscape on Scotland's place in the Union and if *they too* should support such a great, and perhaps, noble undertaking that those they fight for, are the ones who vote to support their right for also peace.

Think of Westminster's defense budget and how great it is.. 60 Billion per year, twice as much as Westminster's bloc grant to Scotland to run the entire country*.

Now think on Westminster's commitment to WMDs.. these WMDs cost around 2 Billion per year to maintain*.  Nuclear material is poisoning Scotland.. and the people you fight to protect.. would you eat a fish from Loch Gare?

Historically, as you will know already, Scotland takes pride in it's special task force approach.. using strike teams, for hundreds.. perhaps even thousands of years. We define *what* that is.

Bluntly.. in an independent Scotland we do not *need* WMDs or a high population Service. We have the skills to *make* the most of the potential of our Scottish Servicepeople. That money.. and indeed any money should be put to use in training and equipment.. making sure all army, navy and airforce personnel can be dropped anywhere and survive anywhere .. thrive anywhere. The sharpest blade makes the deepest cut.. you may have heard this before, I reference it as strategy, that strikeforces trained skeen, can do what others do with threats of WMDs.

Ultimate training of every one of our troops. We as Gaels were built for this.. I believe the Picts were the elite fighting force of the Gaels, perhaps it only a truth of the heart.. but one forged with sharp knowledge of having; been lived and been seen. Whom amongst you have seen others from other countries fold.. when you have strived and succeeded? Did you grow up in a rough area of Scotland.. and travel elsewhere? Was it the same? or did it secretly seem to you those people had cushy lives? I suggest that.. the power you have is immeasurable, you grew up in a place where you *had* to be suspicious constantly, even as little children.

Is it right to shoot a deer with a 50 cal weapon?.. is it not more honest with bow and arrow.. as it is earned, it is respected. The 50 cal is the nuclear weapons.. the enemy is the deer. If you earn something you have the right to it..
What if with Scottish strike teams..
We could say; 'There were no casualties.'
What if when the Scottish Response Service of a 'fire sale' harms only those who made war in the first place.
A surgical blade to a particular problem.
Not a hammer to chase a mouse.

How much would all this cost.. I have no idea, but to anyone with a mind, they will take on good faith as their own heart assures.. it will cost less than WMDs.

Kind Regards

Dava






*https://fullfact.org/economy/trident-nuclear-cost/
*next year this will be reduced to 49 Billion.. the Service population for the entire UK as I write is 153,770 and 81,850 reserved.