'Stabilisation' plan for forces

General Sir Richard Dannatt, chief of the general staff, will say that increasingly soldiers are finding that they have to add civilian skills - from town hall administration to banking - to their traditional combat capabilities.

In a speech at Westminster to the centre-left Progress think tank, he will say the forces should now look at the feasibility of developing "permanent cadres of stabilisation specialists" who would specialise in training and mentoring the local military in former conflict zones.

He will say that an officer in such a body could typically spend "a tour with indigenous forces, followed perhaps by an attachment to DfID (Department for International Development) overseas, or a local council at home, or a police force in Africa or elsewhere."

According to advance extracts of the speech released by Progress, he will acknowledge that this could involve placing the soldiers concerned under the command of DfID or the Foreign Office.

Gen Dannatt will also emphasise the importance of ensuring that troops are properly trained to deal with the "ethical challenges" they are likely to face in future conflicts.

"Sensitivity to culture, local beliefs and aspirations, and the soldier's personal demeanour and approach, are all vital parts of campaigning today," he will say. "If we compromise our moral values, then we will lose what is essentially a conflict of values and ideas."

He will say that when "inexcusable" incidents, like the death of Baha Mousa in the custody of British troops in Iraq in 2003, occur, British forces risk losing the "moral high ground". "I take no pride in the conduct of those of our people - however few - who took it upon themselves to deliberately abuse Iraqi civilians during 2003," he will say.

Gen Dannatt will also use his speech to highlight the way the military is often misunderstood at home. He will say that the Army actually espouses many "recognisable socialist ideals" - although in a "very philosophical rather than party political way".

"We are the very epitome of the welfare state," he will say. "We provide everything from marriage guidance to social care to a roof over people's heads. Even if a soldier spends all of his money on beer and cars, we will not let him go hungry."