End of an era for barracks

Today marked the end of an era for Whittington Barracks and the Army Training Regiment (Lichfield). It also marks the end of my work there chairing the Independent Advisory Panel which scrutinises how the Army trains recruits.

Cath and I were invited to the final Passing Out Parade for newly qualified soldiers which was also a celebration of the work that ATR (Lichfield) has done. The place was packed with dignitaries and as well as the parade there were displays showing what the recruits had been up to during their 14 weeks, motorcycle stunt riding by the Army’s White Helmets display team, a celebration Service in the Barrack’s St Georges Church and lunch in the Officers’ Mess.

As I’ve found throughout our inspection work at Whittington Barracks the youngsters who turn up for Army training from all different walks of life, some of them not entirely on the straight and narrow, turn out to be impressive after their weeks of training. I’m always taken aback by the transformation and today was no exception. Despite the pressure of such an important day they were great.

I still believe there’s huge potential for some youngsters who don’t know what they want to do with their lives or are at risk of finding themselves in trouble with the police and Criminal Justice System. I’m not talking conscription but I have seen with my own eyes what a positive difference it can make and the genuine life chances available for some.

The National Union of Teachers vote at their annual conference not to allow the Army’s career liason teams into schools is a chance lost and very narrow minded. It could make a real difference for a lot of young people and a position taken without hands on insight as to the potential.

You can read more about our inspection work at Whittington here and can read the full Annual Report on what we found during training here.

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