If you need urgent support, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. To contact our Crisis Messenger (open 24/7) text THEMIX to 85258.
Options
Two soldiers AWOL amid bullying allegations
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/mar/13/army-barracks-bullying
If the story is as reported them good on 'em - if their employer won't protect them then they shouldn't put up with it.
If the story is as reported them good on 'em - if their employer won't protect them then they shouldn't put up with it.
0
Comments
Deepcut is obviously a lot more serious, seeing as at least one or several of the soliders had actually been murdered, even though the inquiry hilariously (for want of a better word) ruled that all the deaths were suicides.
Sadly there are still a few types out there- officers included- who think such bullying is all part of military life, and that anyone prepared to fight and die in battle should simply put up with it.
Actually I did my military service in Spain for what's worth. There was bullying for sure, though I did not see or hear of any physical abuse while I was there. It was more a case of "you newbie are my property, and will run errands for me, make my bed, polish my boots etc".
That said I think there is a case for beasting, hard physical exercise to the point of exhaustion for minor infractions a) it's a punishment b) it build's fitness and c) it's better for a poorly paid private on low pay than going up before the and fined.
We were also were made to run with all our kit to the very point of collapse once when we pissed off our captain. That wasn't much fun actually. A few lads looked ready to drop dead and a couple were in tears at the end.
The only time I ever saw an NCO ever lay serious hands on someone was a fight when I saw my Platoon sergeant drag someone off the top of the person he was punching and throw him into a wall. OK I saw a lot of minor stuff like a NCO lightly kicking the leg of a soldier who leg's were splayed so far apart when he was on the range he looked like a starfish or clubbing a soldiers helmet with a magazine he'd dropped. and Rugby (and any other sport) could be bloody, as could exercises against rival regiments (or NATO forces).
But serious bullying is rare and rarer still in the infantry, with good leadership, esprit de corp and a serious chance of being deployed for real. After all you want your mates to give their lives for you, not shoot you in the back because you beat them black and blue...
Having one of your blokes shoot one of your NCO's isn't regarded as a good career move it has to be said....
Mmm I can see that, but in this case it would appear that it's less about the beastings as an unpleasant and tiring experience which ultimately promotes harmony; more about a serious lack of discipline and a genuinely dangerous workplace.
As I recall the response to Deepcut was less than brilliant...