Pride and positive discrimination
AFTER reading on the Defence Intranet that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual Service personnel were granted permission to wear No1 Dress (Navy/RAF) and No2 Dress while marching through central London as part of Gay Pride Day this summer, I felt I had to put pen to paper and voice my opinion.
Before everyone starts to scream “this guy is a homophobe, throw him out of the Army”, can I point out that I really don’t care if the powers that be had granted them permission to march behind a full military band and authorised a fly-past.
However, I do strongly object to the fact that those attending the march (their own choice) were able to make a travel claim for doing so.
I quote: “Personnel will be considered to be on-duty for the uniformed element of the event, so internal UK duty travel costs (but not subsistence) may be claimed, subject to local Budget Manager discretion”.
I was recently fortunate enough to be invited to attend a lunch with the Queen – a full regimental royal visit. I did so and as I chose to use my own transport it was explained to me that I could not claim back any of the associated costs.
I am big enough and wise enough to understand that if I choose to exercise my rights and travel how and when I like, then I pay for it – fair one.
I assume that those who attended the Gay Pride parade also did so of their own free will. I also assume that there were not days of rehearsals to ensure that those on parade were “squared away” and that there was little in the way of admin instructions and warning orders instructing personnel to muster at a given time. I also assume that No 2 Dress was optional.
Why then are those who attended allowed to claim? If I want to go to a Regimental Veterans Day and march through my local recruiting area, will I be allowed to claim? I doubt it very much.
I am all in favour of equal rights, but are we not verging on positive discrimination? – Name and address supplied.
Royally annoyed by inconsistency
HAVING served in the Forces and, like many others, received no medals during my years in uniform, I recently attended a Veterans Day parade and saw many wearing commemorative medals both on their own and alongside “official” medals.
Some of these veterans had clearly seen a lot of action but were proud to wear their commemorative medals. One thing that became apparent, however, was hostility towards members of the Royal Family who seem exempt from the usual rules.
One old boy was furious that Prince Edward – who didn’t even get through basic training – has not only been made an honorary colonel but has a chest full of medals, and that Prince Charles wears both foreign and commemorative medals. Others highlighted that Princes William and Harry were both awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal while not meeting the normal criteria on the grounds that the Monarch can award it to whoever she wants. If that’s the case why can’t she give it to all those who have served during her reign – even if recipients have to pay for it?
Another veteran pointed out that during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, which was a state of war having been declared as such by the IRA, there were many mainland attacks and he recalled times of high alert to very real threats. Despite this he got no medal because he didn’t serve directly in the province. He was at risk, was armed and expected to defend this country’s interests.
Other Commonwealth countries like Australia have withdrawn from the British awards system and their veterans are now permitted to wear commemorative medals, while the same right is denied our own heroes by the very same Monarch whom we all serve. – Name and address supplied.
We shouldn’t have to ‘settle’ for less
H AVING served five years and completed two operational tours I am due to leave the Army in April 2009. But I’ve been told that because I did not enlist before September 2002, I am not entitled to a resettlement course and only qualify for a one-day lesson in writing a curriculum vitae.
In comparison, I know someone in prison who has been given the opportunity to retake his GCSEs and is now training to become a plumber.
An individual who has broken the law is getting a better start to life “outside” than soldiers who have risked their lives for Queen and country. – LCpl Evans, 7 Armd Coy REME, Op Herrick 8.
Lt Col Henry Jolleys, SO1 Resettlement, AG HQ, responds: All Service personnel leaving the Armed Forces have access to some assistance in making the transition from military to civilian life. The level of resettlement support provided to Service Leavers (SL) is dependent upon their length of service and the circumstances of their discharge. All SL are entitled to access advice via their respective single Service resettlement advisers, including finance and housing briefings, at any stage of their careers.
As in your case, those who have completed a minimum of four years are entitled to access a range of services provided by the Career Transition Partnership (CTP). They may also access the Employment Support Programme (ESP), which comprises an interview with a career consultant or one-day workshop, and thereafter a job-finding service with access to an employment consultant for up to two years post-discharge.
SL who have completed a minimum of six years, and all those who are medically discharged, are entitled to the CTP Full Resettlement Programme. This enhances the ESP through providing – depending upon length of service – up to 35 days graduated resettlement time, up to seven resettlement travel warrants, access to vocational training, coaching in job interview techniques and CV writing, and dedicated career consultancy support.
Resettlement works – in 2007 a National Audit Office report showed that the UK is at the forefront of providing tailored, professional help to military personnel as they leave.
Finally, regarding the question of fairness of educational/resettlement provision in prison, you should note that Soldiers Under Sentence at the Military Corrective Training Centre receive support to assist them make the transition to civilian life. Given the educational opportunities available within the Army, including access to £175 per year (Standard Learning Credits) and up to £2,000 per year for three years for those that are qualified and registered for Enhanced Learning Credits, it is not the case that those in prison get a better start.
‘Pay cut’ makes it hard to smile for camera
I AM currently well into my 18th year of service, having spent a full and varied career of some 16 years as a forward observer with the Royal Artillery before transferring to the RLC to become an Army photographer. It was a move I willingly made in order to pursue an interest I had been passionate about for many years.
At the time of my transfer I held the rank of sergeant and had done so for three years prior. On transfer I had to take a voluntary reduction in rank to corporal in order to fit with the promotional structure of the photographic trade – something I understood and accepted, albeit reluctantly.
I then remained on marked time rates of pay (high band) for a two-year period following my successful completion of the photographic trade course.
That period has now elapsed and my pay now reflects that of a low band corporal in the RLC. This equates to a reduction in pay of some £300 per month. In an ideal world the two year marked time period would allow for the transferred soldier to regain their former rank and therefore not be financially disadvantaged. But due to the very slow promotion rate in the photographic trade that has not been possible. Could some provision not be made to avoid such a significant drop in pay?
The transfer was voluntary and the reduction in rank was understood, but I didn’t think it was possible to “lose” money in the Army. After all, I qualified as a sergeant and still have that knowledge. – Name and address supplied.
Brig Jamie Gordon writes: Although sympathetic to your situation the rules do not allow any other course of action. The move was your choice.
The hard facts are that you have spent the last two years being paid £300 per month more than every other RLC photographer corporal. It would be unfair on them to continue to pay you over the odds for the same job. I hope your earlier military experience will help speed your next promotion.
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