Originally Posted by
Roadster280
Proletarian - Firstly my apologies for selectively quoting you, however the length of the entire post would be excessive.
Secondly, the ex-RAF accom being handed over to the Army is in itself approximately 70 years old. RAF Colerne for example, was built at the same time as RAF Scampton, and even in RAF hands, Scampton is a decaying pit by all accounts. Topcliffe is a shed of a place. Dishforth was largely rebuilt for the AAC, Upavon vastly changed, North Luffenham another RAF backwater, the list goes on. It is not as though the RAF has relinquished decent accomodation; granted because it didn't have any in the first place.
Thirdly, trashing the accomodation at every opportunity is 1) in keeping with the finest traditions of the Service (blazing pianos anyone?), 2) billed to the miscreants, or collectively billed as barrack damages and most importantly 3), mildew on a decaying ceiling is hardly in the same bracket as puking in the ablutions.
When the Army took over Abingdon in the mid 90s they ripped out all of thenewly installed single man JR accomodation and installed multi-man rooms. All of the OR MQs had recently benefitted from fitted carpets but the army insisted that the oiks could not have that and ripped up a foot wide strip around each room.
I agree that the RAF have for the most part got some (relatively) decent accom but that which they have got has been looked after within the increasingly parsimonious budget. Because of the Army "move the regiment lock stock and barrel every 2-3 years" approach to postings, the inclination to look after what you've got is not there. Instead there has been, IMHO, an element of "let's rip out whatever we can and take it with us to the next barracks".
However, whatever the reason behind the state of the accom provided, there is no excuse for Tony's Cronies not to fulfill their obligation to the men and women, serving and supporting.
