Axed soldiers offered massage courses

Axed soldiers offered massage courses

Axed soldiers offered massage courses. British soldiers set to lose their jobs under government defense cuts were being offered courses to learn how to do massage and aromatherapy, The Sun reported Thursday.

Troops trained to fight the Taliban were also offered help to prepare for civilian careers by qualifying in pottery.

Under the taxpayer-funded Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme, soldiers can claim 80 percent of a course up to a maximum of £2,000 ($3,236). But furious soldiers insisted they would rather the money went on saving their military careers.

One said, ironically, "This is going to be really useful for Britain. Aromatherapy specialists are really going to protect our borders."

The soldier added, "We want to continue in the job we adore. We're trained soldiers, airmen and sailors, who joined to protect our country."

A defense source said, "Retraining troops is vital -- but I understand that soldiers would rather their jobs were saved."

A spokesman for Britain's Ministry of Defence (MoD) said, "The scheme only pays towards nationally recognized qualifications. Course lists are provided by colleges, not the MoD."

Read more: thesun