The latest military manouevres in the detention camps
Over the weekend I received information that the following transfers – well, this is the army, so the verb we should be using is actually deploy or station, but that doesn’t quite cover the connotations – have been made, and that these shifts in deployment are “classified”.
Lt Col Karl Sammut: after the change in government, he was stationed at the Hal Far detention camp; now in this latest move he has been stationed at the Hal Safi detention camp.
John Gera: redeployed after the change in government from the Civil Protection Department, where he was operations manager, to the Hal Far detention camp. The CPD dogs section, for which he was responsible, had to be closed down and the dogs sent to Mosta Fort with the police dogs. He has now been stationed at Hal Safi detention camp.
Col Ian Ruggier: redeployed from special duties with C Company to the Hal Far detention camp.
Col Harold Stivala: deployed to the Hal Far detention camp after the general election; has now done the same as his former Commander, Martin Xuereb, and Deputy Commander, David Attard, and asked to be relieved of his duties and take retirement after 25 years of service.
This afternoon I rang Ramona Attard, head of communications at the Ministry of Home Affairs, and asked for confirmation of these movements. She said she would check with the relevant departments and ring me back soonest, and she did. She told me that specific information on Lieutenant-Colonel Sammut, Gera and Colonel Ruggier was not available, but that the departments concerned had informed her that “lots of staff changes were being made” at the detention camps and that this was being done “to improve the quality of the staff”.
She confirmed that Colonel Stivala has asked for retirement after 25 years of service.
9 Comments Comment
Leave a Comment
Who is now doing the jobs that Gera, Stivala, Sammut and Ruggier were doing before their first transfer?
Not unanticipated, however, somewhat blatant. Vindictive.
There seems to be a surplus of colonels and lieutenant colonels in the AFM.
Even allowing for the fact that the Armed Forces of Malta are a cross between an artillery regiment (that is why all officers wear spurs on their shoes when in ceremonial uniform) and an infantry regiment, the three regiments are hardly up to battalion strength.
The maritime squadron and the air wing are even smaller.
In most Commonwealth countries – but then Malta may be the exception – a lieutenant colonel is the OC of a battalion, with a colonel at regimental level or higher up (e.g. at HQ or Depot). So what do all these colonels and lieutenant colonels actually do? Is their job commensurate to their rank?
This should provide you with your answer:
http://www.afm.gov.mt/organisation?l=1
There’s a bunch of colonels and lieutenant colonels on HQ staff duties. Their job is commensurate to their rank only in terms of function.
In terms of the size of the force, it is perhaps overkill.
But where else would you put officers who’ve been in the service for twenty years?
Of course if we hadn’t opted for this silly independence it wouldn’t be a problem at all: anyone with the right skills and talent could find ample scope in the British Army.
Incidentally, even there, the hierarchical pyramid which had existed for years is being strained by the constant downsizing of the services, leaving too many officers.
Speaking from a reasonably well informed perspective, to have a credible and effective force there is a need to dovetail the strategic objectives of Government with the delivery end of the operation i.e. the Regiments (in AFM case) and their constituent parts.
Well educated and trained officers are required to fulfill both the upward-looking element of the staff and those charged with coordinating and enabling the force’s outputs.
Having trained with some of the officers in the spotlight, I am horrified at their treatment: yes, the British Army is downsizing and streamlining; it’s not pretty but it’s being done on a volunteer basis where possible, underpinned by meritocracy where required.
Treating well trained and dedicated professional officers in this way will drag the AFM back into the dark ages. Its recovery will only be possible by sound, democratic government with clearly stated, honest strategic objectives set out.
What a waste.
You are quoting the removal of highly distinguished men in their profession, which is very concerning.
Too many big chiefs and few little Indians!
U jahasra in-nies qaghdu jghajjtu fuq il-Pussy Riot u Putin. Il-media mondjali ma tafx kemm hi krudili Malta!
I know John Gera both personally and professionally. Such a pity he has been deployed. He took his job very seriously, frequently going our of his way to help those in need, including animals in distress.