THE size of the Territorial Army has fallen dramatically since the end of the Cold War. In 1997 there were more than 57,000 people in the TA. According to the latest MoD statistics there are now only 19,300 trained reservists.

Yet the TA is more important to the Army now than at any time.

Without it our full-time soldiers would have been hard-pressed to carry out operations in Iraq and Afghanistan at the same time.

Only yesterday, 34 men from the TA 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers were honoured for their bravery in the aftermath of a suicide bombing in Afghanistan.

Among them was Warrant Officer Tim Wilkinson, from North Shields, who directed security in the wake of the car bomb not knowing if another attack was imminent.

Hundreds of TA soldiers have earned their spurs in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some, like Sergeant Christopher Reed, killed on New Year’s Day as he patrolled Helmand province, have even made the ultimate sacrifice.

Now it seems these brave soldiers are to be stood down for six months – told to stay at home because the MoD cannot afford to pay for their training.

Defence chiefs claim this will not have an impact on the TA’s effectiveness – we disagree.

It is crazy to think the MoD can mothball a soldier then expect him or her to return months later and take up arms.

In terms of equipment failures and lack of support, this Government has hardly distinguished itself in Afghanistan.

Sending TA soldiers into battle after months in limbo would be the worst decision of all.