(On that note, we have little or no instruction on it at RMAS and as an Infanteer we are expected to learn it by osmosis.)
We're not taught Defence Writing formally until AJD/JDSC/whatever it's called now, but presumably with the new Length of Service Terms of Service, and the Professional Studies package replacing JOTES I and II, junior officers will be taught it then?
The material is all there if people want it - every unit has JSP 101. It's not massively difficult to photocopy the relevant bits - junior officers are likely to be writing Memos, Loose Minutes, Routine Letters and Demi-Official Letters - four types, in total.
Secondly, the gripe held by almost all YOs is that there is a significant expectation by almost all Sub Unit Commanders and above of YOs to produce endless pieces of paper (in the correct SD format). BUT, we are not provided with any means to do so, unless we purchase it ourselves.
My complaint covers more than the fact that YOs don't have LAPTOPs, there are many "email" type systems in use within the Army but in my experience none seem to have filtered down to Bn/Regt level. (UNICRASH doesn;t count because no one knows how to use it/ or uses it.)
Having to use "snail mail" in transit envelopes is pathetic.
...Agree with you completely. If it's any consolation, though, my unit moved to the old RAF Bruggen in Germany in Feb 02 and, as it was being vacated by the RAF, there was no Army IT infrastructure. In an amazing feat that leaves me still wondering what the catch is, DCSA(G) installed networked computers on LANDCSS(R), which has transparent gateways to CASH, CHOTS, OLTIS (Bosnia), OATIS (Kosovo), and yes, even UNICOM. Not only that, but
every single OC, Sergeant-Major, 2IC, Tp/Pl Comd, and Tp/Pl SSgt has one each. MT even have one, so one can reserve one's transport by email
. Almost everyone has an LCD monitor, too...
It would appear that the need for IT provision is accepted by "The Powers That Be", but for the funding only becoming available when there's a budget in to which it can be subsumed (i.e. when you can slope shoulders on to another Top Level Budget holder).
So, hopefully, this suggests that we are gradually moving toward being a more IT-aware organisation. Best commercial practice here we come! (ten years late...)