A soldier’s notebook

Unofficial observations from a soldier.

[A soldier’s notebook @s_notebook80293]

@ABridgen What plan was that?

[A soldier’s notebook @s_notebook80293]

@hmtreasury An absence of a tax is not a ‘break’ though is it.

[A soldier’s notebook @s_notebook80293]

@JohnHealey_MP @bealejonathan Good news. Acceptance the the current system isn’t fit for purpose?

[A soldier’s notebook @s_notebook80293]

@PinnacleSF @PinnacleSHAME When you submit an online complaint you get a response from ‘[email protected]’ with a reference number and a promise that ‘someone will be in touch shortly’… that doesn’t happen.

[A soldier’s notebook @s_notebook80293]

@PinnacleSF @PinnacleSHAME Lauren, I applaud you for trying to put a positive spin on a failing organisation but, let’s be honest, nothing will get done. If the compensation team can’t go through an inbox without a nudge from you then something isn’t working. The whole system needs root & branch reform.

[A soldier’s notebook @s_notebook80293]

@PinnacleSF @PinnacleSHAME Why do you ignore compensation claims sent to your shared mailbox? Many have given up submitting them as they just go unanswered.

[A soldier’s notebook @s_notebook80293]

@pinstripedline I bet you think the Hong Kong handover is still an ‘excellent outcome’.

[A soldier’s notebook @s_notebook80293]

@DavidLammy @DavidLammy. Already going down as the worst foreign secretary in history (and there’s some tough competition). If you believe what you say then you’re even stupider than we thought. Making Britain weaker one step at a time.

[A soldier’s notebook @s_notebook80293]

It’s not really an ‘excellent outcome’ though is it? It’s a pragmatic compromise with loads of real-politic taken into consideration. Classic spin from @pinstripedline. Call it what it is!

[Sir Humphrey @pinstripedline]

If you are not happy about the excellent outcome re Diego Garcia, ask yourself this:

'Post deal, what can't the UK do on the base that it can do now'?

Nothing of what matters for our national interest has changed - its been protected for the long term.

[A soldier’s notebook @s_notebook80293]

@PinnacleSF @MilitaryBanter Why did it take the amplification of @MilitaryBanter for you to get a ‘maintenance contractor’ on site?

[A soldier’s notebook @s_notebook80293]

@DefencePeople You might have thought the @hmtreasury would not charge VAT on service people’s food when in Barracks.

[A soldier’s notebook @s_notebook80293]

No

[A soldier’s notebook @s_notebook80293]

It’s not going to solve the ‘army staffing problem’ though.

[A soldier’s notebook @s_notebook80293]

@f41274593 @PinnacleSF @MilitaryBanter I’ve had exactly the same experience.

[fill your boots @MilitaryBanter]

I want to start this thread by saying I obviously don't represent anyone. These are just personal thoughts based on dealing with housing issues from my inbox over the years and more recent events.

Firstly, after posting those images yesterday, my inbox blew up with offers of help from the COC - Sgt Majors, LEs, Captains all the way up to having a couple of stars. All took time out of their evenings to try and engage and help. None of these people have a role within DIO.

[A soldier’s notebook @s_notebook80293]

@MilitaryBanter This is an absolute disgrace @DefencePeople. No one should have to live like this in 21st century Britain and another example of @PinnacleSF failure. New Accommodation Model would not have helped this though, cramming more ‘demand’ into this type of ‘supply’ is not the answer.

[A soldier’s notebook @s_notebook80293]

@BWallaceMP @pinstripedline Because that’s been a huge success…

[A soldier’s notebook @s_notebook80293]

Spot on

[fill your boots @MilitaryBanter]

There has been a shit ton of Them vs Us between the ranks this week. While it's always fun to mock Rupert's map reading etc, it's become extremely tribal. So here's my 10 pence

Military housing is truly on the biff, let's say for a fractured ankle. Instead of addressing the situation, investing time in fixing it, or simply admitting the ankle can't do what it once could. The MOD decided the best answer would be to take up kickboxing.

Officers losing an allowance doesn't directly correlate with an improved offer for enlisted.

What this week has proven is when certain issues are raised by the right people they have almost immediate action taken. So lets bring everyone back together, all just want a mould-free house with enough rooms for the kids.

Let's just hope all those people so willing to campaign this week when officers had their offer under threat are still banging the drum for other ranks' accommodation when this has been squared away.

[A soldier’s notebook @s_notebook80293]

@SO2portaloos @LogisticThinker ‘They’ have been found out. They thought they could get away with pretending 69 responses to a survey and unadvertised roadshows was going to slip through unnoticed.