22 NAVY NEWS, SEPTEMBER 2007
The Royal Navy writes on the issues affecting you
Survey backs Forces’ resettlement system
Research
A REPORT has concluded that the MOD The NAO survey of those who left in determined by length of service, not rank.
offers a “good range of resettlement support” the past two years found that two-thirds Those discharged for medical reasons
‘supports
for those leaving the Armed Forces.” believed the support offered by the MOD are entitled to the highest level of support,
The National Audit Office (NAO) also helped them find work, and 94 per cent regardless of length of service.
Dartmouth
decided that “most people adapt back of leavers who were seeking employment Support includes coaching in CV writing
MOD tour
into civilian life easily and comfortably”, through the Career Transition Partnership and job interview techniques, a contribution
although it also notes that a minority have programme found a job within six months. of £534 towards the cost of training and
a more difficult time finding employment, In 2006-07, around 25,000 people left the associated travel and accommodation
links with
housing or making the social transition from Forces, and all leavers had access to some costs, and up to 35 working days to prepare
policies’
the Forces to Civvy Street. form of assistance – the level of support is for the transition to civilian life.
THE MOD has welcomed the
university
publication of research by King’s
Forms in the post
College into tour intervals and
mental illness – and claims it
BRNC has entered an historic
confirms existing policies on tour
ten-year agreement with the
intervals are right.
University of Plymouth for
The MOD said the overall
delivery and accreditation of the
rate of mental illness in the
academic aspects of its officer
Armed Forces remains low, and
training programmes.
is not necessarily connected to
The agreement builds on an
to encourage voting
operational deployment.
existing partnership in which
This low rate of mental illness is
trainee officers can study for a
consistent with previous research
foundation degree in Naval Studies
by King’s College.
at Dartmouth and progress to the
The number of new cases of
university to gain a BSc in Marine
mental disorders, of all types and
Studies.
regardless of cause, in the first
Cdre Martin Alabaster, of
quarter of this year was 0.58 per
BRNC, said: “We pride ourselves
HUNDREDS of thousands of forms
cent of the Armed Forces strength,
on a very long history of selecting will be despatched to members of the
and the rate of new cases of post-
talented young people and
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Armed Forces this month as part of a
developing them into first-class
was “very low” at 0.03 per cent.
leaders, who often go on to serve
campaign to get Service personnel on Derek Twigg, Under Secretary
their country in the challenging
the electoral register.
of State for Defence, said: “We
conditions of the front line.
The campaign, from the Electoral
recognise mental illness as a serious
“As part of our commitment Commission and the MOD, comes amid
and disabling condition and we
to educational excellence, we speculation of a possible early General
want to ensure that our people
are delighted to formalise this
have the best possible mental
Election.
agreement for provision of
health support.
There are also currently local elections
educational services with the
“This is why the MOD
planned for May 1 2008 across the whole of
University of Plymouth.
commissioned research to monitor
Wales, in 164 areas of England, and for the
“It means we can offer our
the health of those deployed on
London Mayor and Assembly.
trainee officers and other staff A recent survey of Service personnel found
operations.
access to accredited university that nine out of ten said they would like to have
“We have taken great steps to
education and professional a say in who governs the country.
raise awareness and reduce the
development throughout their However, the same survey also found low
stigma associated with mental
careers.” levels of electoral registration amongst the
illness.
Under the agreement, it is Forces.
“These include pre- and post-
intended that academic staff at To vote in an election, eligible electors must
deployment briefing and the
BRNC will become staff of the have their name on the electoral register no
availability of support, assessment
University of Plymouth. later than 11 days before polling day.
and, if required, treatment – both
They will continue to be based In addition to distributing electoral
during and after deployments.
at Dartmouth, but will have access
registration forms, each unit will hold a
“We are studying the research
to a range of university services
Registration Day in October where specially
to see how we can reduce even
and facilities, which will enhance
assigned Unit Registration Officers will
further the number of troops who
study programmes for RN and
focus their attention on encouraging Service
suffer from mental illness.
RM trainees based at the college.
personnel to sign up to vote.
“We have always been open that
Staff at Dartmouth will also
Electoral Registration Officers from local
we have a high operational tempo
be able to develop their scholarly
authorities will also make visits to bases in
but, as the Chief of the Defence
activities by engaging in research
their area.
Staff has said in the past, we are
and innovation activities.
The activity coincides with the annual
stretched but not overstretched.
canvass during which UK householders are
“The vast majority of British
RNPT event dates
asked by local authorities to supply their details
troops do not have their tours
for the Electoral Register.
extended and are on operations
DATES and details of the RN
Service personnel based in the UK can
for no longer than six to seven
Presentation Team’s events in the
register in the same way as ordinary electors
months.
coming weeks are:
by filling in and returning the annual canvass
“As such it indicates that our
Tues September 25: Apex
form, while those who are based, or likely to
current policies on the duration of
marina
City Quay Hotel, Dundee;
be posted, abroad are advised to register as tours are right.
Weds September 26:
‘Service Voters’. “We are taking steps to remind
marina
Keavil House Hotel, Crossford,
Due to a recent change in legislation, people the small number of troops who
Dunfermline;
registering as Service Voters will only have to see their tours extended about the
Weds October 3: Hotel Bristol,
register every three years instead of annually. support that is available to them.
marina
Newquay;
Nina Zialluah, Head of Campaigns at the “We have, for example,
Thurs October 4: Barnstaple
Electoral Commission, said: “In a recent survey mental health nurses in Iraq and
marina
Hotel, Barnstaple;
of Service personnel, over 90 per cent of those Afghanistan.
Tues October 9: University
questioned said that they would like to be able “I would encourage Service
marina
of Gloucestershire Park Campus,
to vote at the next General Election. personnel who think that they
The Park, Cheltenham;
“Such an election could be called at any might be suffering from mental
Weds October 10: Warwick
time – but you can’t vote in it unless you are illness related to their service to
marina
Racecourse, Warwick;
on the electoral register.” seek professional help.”
Tues October 23: Macclesfield
“We know that Service personnel lead
On their return from
marina
Town Hall, Macclesfield.
busy lives and that operational commitments
operations, regular personnel can
Anyone wanting to book a place
can sometimes make it more difficult for
access out-patient care at one of
at a presentation should contact
them to register to vote than their civilian
the 15 military Departments of
the RNPT on 020 8833 8020 or
counterparts.
Community Mental Health in the
email rnpt@gtnet.gov.uk
“That’s why we’ve worked with the Ministry
UK and overseas. In-patient care
of Defence to make it as easy as possible by
is provided by the Priory Group.
Discount draw
sending out registration forms to all.”
A recent Defence Analytical
More information about registering, and a
Services Agency (DASA) survey
downloadable registration form, can be found
concluded that the number of
A DISCOUNT website for at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
● Registration forms on their way to every member of the Armed Forces
Service personnel diagnosed with
serving personnel, veterans and
a mental illness was broadly the
their families celebrates its tenth
same whether they did or did not
anniversary with a prize draw.
Commando trainees turn to smoothies deploy on operations.
ForcesDiscount.com – no
connection with the MOD’s
SUMMER is a time when people the variety of foods and drinks that
Discount Brochure website – offers
Ideas initiative
savings and discounts on a range of
become more health-conscious, so are available within the Commando
products and services.
the timing was perfect for the latest Training Centre.”
You can enter the draw online,
incentive at the Commando Training Teacher training at CTCRM has been
bears fruit
quoting CODE NN10, or by
Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) – the recognised by the Government’s Quality THE first contract under the
post, sending contact details
opening of Smoothies and Shakers fruit Improvement Agency as among the best MOD’s Competition of Ideas
on a postcard to Prize Draw
drinks bar. in the country. initiative has been awarded to
MPM Associates, FREEPOST
The Commanding Officer of the The Lympstone establishment has Plextec Ltd.
NEA8487, Doncaster DN9 3BR,
CTCRM, Lt Col Jani Marok RM, become a member of the Peninsular The £300,000 contract
quoting CODE NN10.
officially opened the new bar, and Centre of Excellence in Teacher Training will support research into the
Closing date is November 1.
recruits and staff were given free samples (CETT), of which there are only 11 in technology allowing improved
of the numerous types of smoothie the country. communication between military
drinks available, including Pineapple CETTs are intended to develop and vehicles on convoy, and between
Power Punch (pineapple, raspberry and extend good practice in adult teacher convoys and their base.
banana) and Blueberry Blush (blueberry, training, providing a good role model for The competition, launched
strawberry and redcurrants). other education establishments. last autumn, challenged the UK
Lt Col Marok said: “The drinks on CTCRM’s successful method is based science and technology community
offer are excellent value for money whilst on ‘teach, mentor and coach’, with more to offer innovative ideas for
● Lt Col Jani Marok offi cially opens the new smoothie bar also being extremely healthy. than 125 teachers benefiting in the past tackling the most pressing defence
at CTCRM Lympstone “They are a welcome addition to four years. problems.
The Royal Navy writes on the issues affecting you
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