£15 a night

[ORAC]

The Times, London:. .. .Army becomes more accommodating to troops' love lives. .By Michael Evans, Defence Editor. . . . . . . .THE Army has taken a large step forward in improving the lot of its 50,000 single soldiers. It is allowing their girlfriends to stay in barracks at weekends. . .It is not, however, a case of the Army going soft, according to General Sir Michael Walker, the Chief of the General Staff. Rather he needs soldiers to stay in the Army, which is 6,000 short, and he believes that it is right for the Service to reflect changes in society. . .. .General Walker said that it was important to get away from the idea that single soldiers living in garrisons had to be locked up at night with lights out at 10 o’clock, like some sort of Victorian regime. . .. .He is so keen to generate a more agreeable atmosphere in barracks that he wants future singles’ accommodation to have separate bedrooms en suite to guarantee soldiers the chance “to live their life”. . .. .Such accommodation has already been provided by the commander of one isolated barracks in East Anglia, who has set aside an empty married quarters, which has three bedrooms, for soldiers’ girlfriends or partners. . .. .The commanding officer said that the special quarters had “gone down well” with the soldiers and were fully booked. He charges £15 a night for each booking to cover the cost of cleaning and laundry. . .. .“It’s proved a very popular idea,” he said. . .. .Most unmarried soldiers have to live in barrack dormitories with four or more beds, with little privacy. In some barracks, alcohol is banned, although more amenable commanding officers allow beer to be drunk but not spirits. . .. .The ideas for changing the lifestyle of the British soldier were developed at a brainstorming conference between an Army team, led by Lieutenant-General Timothy Granville-Chapman, the Adjutant-General in charge of personnel, and experts from the Henley Centre think-tank in Berkshire. They went through a list of army lifestyle traditions which now seem out of touch with modern living. . .. .About half the soldiers in the Army, which is 100,000-strong, are single, and General Walker said he that was determined to improve their lot.

[Scud-U-Like]

At last, common sense prevails! Now they've brought the occupants out of the Victorian era, perhaps they'll do the same with the accommodation.

[Rolling Goat]

Loved the denial that they weren't setting up a military 'knocking shop' though! V military, v classy. Has any one else ever heard of the afore mentioned existing on a Stn in deepest, darkest Haggis-land???

[ORAC]

Would one be alluding to the long ago saga of the Buff's Lodge at Buchan? . .. .Lost us a great bloke who got thrown out called Don A******* (who went on to become a Police Inspector!!). . . . <small>[ 06 March 2002, 00:09: Message edited by: ORAC ]</small>

[Always_broken_in_wilts]

Did anyone hear 'Colon'el Blimp and Staff Sgt 'I'll only tell 'em wot u said sir' on Radio 5 tuesday pm? Most amusing , especially the huge pause when Blimp was asked if the facility was available for same sex couples. No wonder Peter Alan and Jane Garvie were in "bits" as it's 2002 and the army can only just come up with this ground breaking move to retain it's troops, how did we ever win 2 world wars?

[spekesoftly]

Back in the sixties, the CO of a well known FTS in Yorkshire adopted an enlightened policy. The majority of his student pilots would inevitably depart post haste on Friday afternoon to visit girlfriends/wives etc, often travelling considerable distances, and RTB late on Sunday evening. The Station Commander reckoned that the students were often not fully rested before their flying training on Monday morning, and therefore actively encouraged the studes to bring their ladies to the base for week-end visits. Accommodation wasn't officially provided, but a 'blind eye' was turned to those that were discreet, and didn't blatantly abuse the system. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

[Bright-Ling]

Does that mean I can claim back by 1987 fine of £50 for being caught in the WRAF block??. .. .I will definitely be joining the queue of 1000's sueing the MOD in the next few years!!!!

[spekesoftly]

Doubtful .... your mistake for getting caught!!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />

[Bright-Ling]

The fine wasn't sooo bad - was who I was with that was the gripper!. .. .I've only just stopped having nightmares about it!!. .. .Still - there were 8 others caught jumping from windows!!!!!