British soldiers not allowed to train if it's cold

Lots of my students laughing about this story that was on the news.

British soldiers banned from training if it goes below -4C.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/arctic-circle-cold-british-military-train-article-1.1703590

http://www.thelocal.no/20140226/british-troops

That is pretty poor, not exactly enhancing our military reputation.

Christ.

I remember always being told that soldiers ran for miles and miles every day whatever the weather.

What an absolute joke.

EDIT: having said that, the only actual quote on the "rules" -

"The British have rules for health and safety. They would be sitting in the barracks whenever the mercury dropped below minus 20,"

Bit misleading -they're talking about -4F which is -20c. Ive done cross country ski-ing in -18c and was sweating - but if you arent working hard it and properly dressed below -20c is a killer.

This seems a bit odd.

We have disabled soldiers that go to the artic, I remember doing Ex Hardfall in Norway many moons ago. The clothing we were issues was nowhere as hi tec as today

You were taught how to avboind frosbite and keep warm etc . yes it got cold especially at night . equally when we trained in hot countries you knew what to expect

Bloody health and Safety legislation its a minefield out there

Yeah, got that bit wrong. I've done quite a bit of cross country in the minus twenties and as you say, no problem at all until you stop for a break. Still, with proper kit it shouldn't be a problem and as was mentioned, all of the other countries involved were still active.

Train hard, fight easy is the old maxim.

On the other hand I can recall more than one instance of young soldiers/marines under training dying from the effects of heath exhaustion. So perhaps a few H&S rules and a better understanding of the physical strain we put our troops under may not be a entirely bad idea.

Health and safety, along with the sandal wearer with be the death of this once great Nation.