Address by Lieutenant Colonel Craig Palmer Royal Artillery
I was commissioned in to the Royal Regiment of Artillery in 1993 and despite the early calm of that time, the subsequent years have become increasingly turbulent. I served in combat a number of times, in Northern Ireland , Iraq and Afghanistan. I therefore have some authority to talk today about the lot of a modern serviceman and in particular those who have to engage up close and personal with battle and sometimes evil; the soldier. Although I talk about the soldier, much of what I will talk about is pertinent to sailors and airmen.
The Armed Forces hold the duty of employing legitimate, lethal force on behalf of the nation. This is a huge responsibility and the duty has grown considerably since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The vision of the Armed Forces is to be a Force for Good around the world. Put more simply, it is to engage in Just Wars, employing Just Ways to meet those ends. This vision statement reflects the values of the people of this nation which we proudly serve, and from whom we gain our moral strength to fight time and time again.
I remember joining the Army to be part of this Force for Good but, not coming from a Forces background, I wasn't quite sure that I was doing the right thing. Prayer helped me through the door of The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, as I was reminded that God has a plan for us all and wants to use our individual skills for His work. His plan for me has been clearly demonstrated on a number of occasions in the heat of battle. God has been my companion through my darkest hours, guiding my decisions, commands and my actions. Many think of battle as a Godless place. Despite carnage, death and sometimes pure evil, there is often enormous love on the battlefield. Love for fellow humans prevents the excessive use of force and brutality. It forgives adversaries and reconciles broken nations and people. It protects innocent civilians when the easy course of action would endanger them. Tough love, exercised though the Values and Standards of the British Army is disciplined and abides by the Law of Armed Conflict to prevent atrocities. Without such love, standards of behaviour on the battlefield would slip. The Armed Forces would cease to be a Force for Good. I often reflect on how, in many ways, soldiers are very lucky because combat can be such an intensely enriching experience which helps us to reflect on what is important in life. For all the youthful banter of soldiers, in the heat of combat, there are very few atheists . A proximity to death reminds us how important loved ones are, of our own mortality and God's proximity to us all of the time. Compare this, if you will, to the cosseted 21st century Western life, where style is often celebrated over substance, fashion over faith. After experiencing pure, twisted evil during the Afghan summer of 2006, I recall feeling lost for a while, questioning 'what hope is there for Mankind when such evil is part of the human condition?' Fortunately I didn't dwell on the negative whisperings, because God's answer was resounding. His love, through the sacrifice for us of his son, Jesus Christ, is a beacon to us all and will conquer such evil.
Although many soldiers are young and may only have an inkling of their own spirituality, many seeds are sown during of combat. Sadly, some soldiers look in the wrong places to answer their questions. The fortunate ones create a structure to store and process their memories. Some are lucky to find a happy place to leave their memories behind, a place which abounds with pride in a job well done; having done their duty to their country, regiment and colleagues. Some very fortunate ones are rejuvenated through their reflection on the intensity of their experiences. Their awakening often leads to a fundamental life change... being born again, conscious that life is too precious to squander
Jesus taught and demonstrated that there is no greater love than to lay down ones' life for someone. In laying down their lives for each other on foreign fields and often to protect innocent civilians whom they hardly know, I am constantly humbled by the actions of the British Squaddie, in whose hearts there is much goodness. That goodness comes from you the people of this nation. It is a real privilege to serve alongside soldiers and you should be very proud that they come from your midst. Their strength to endure during combat and for a long time afterwards ultimately comes from a satisfaction in knowing that you value their moral courage. Servicemen will endure untold hardship to do the right thing, if they believe that they are truly a force for good. If you see a serviceman or woman, young or old... say a prayer for them... help them to find that happy place. Above all... be proud with them.