Britain's Ministry of Defence determined that exposure by soldiers to the sound of regimental brass bands and gunfire during military training exceeded the noise levels allowed under the nation's workplace regulations. "One solution would be to provide ear protectors during training, but then soldiers couldn't hear their sergeant major giving orders," said a ministry spokesman.

A separate proposal would compel Britain's armed services to accept disabled recruits for front-line positions.

[Ed.: Spring brought news that the British military paid for "no more than five" soldiers' sex reassignment surgery, and also paid for servicewomens' breast enlargements.]

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