stacker1
LE
Completely agree, but as with most things army, no-one bothered to sit down and suss out what might happen with SLAM nor implement anything to prevent the isolationist existence it created.
For example, internet. Should it be available to all? Yes, but should a Tpr be allowed to get a line to his room as you would with your own home?
No.
Camp wide, restricted WiFi would suffice for email, IM, Social Media, etc.
Take that old, outdated and empty Mess, refurb a section of it for 'Unit Hub', run by the PMC, not privately, and get your consoles, cinema room, facilities, etc so the lads have somewhere modern and relevant to congregate of an evening.
But nah.
Edit: Actually, I'd like to know what's going on in the hub at Pirbright now.
When I joined, mobile phones were common but Facebook etc, didn't exist. Mobile internet wasn't really a thing. The hub was always packed with lads wanting a machine to chat to friends over MSN Messenger, ICQ, etc. Pool tables always full, table pennis queued out, etc
Are those places ghost towns now folk have smart phones with huge data packages now?
That will do loads for recruiting and retention won't it? Hey lads unlike all your civvie mates you have restrictions on the internet and need to go to a communal area to play GTA5, don't all rush at once to join up/stay in.