As a bit of a failure when it comes to my career I currently find myself in Junior Ranks Transit Accommodation on a course after seventeen years in the RAF. I remember a long time ago turning up at my first Unit and finding TV rooms and snooker rooms in the NAAFI. Today I am sitting in a freezing transit room on a camp with zero welfare provision for visiting airmen. Is there a level of welfare provision written down that we should expect in the UK, or is it simply a case of there's a bed now eff off loser?
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Welfare provision for Junior Ranks
- Thread starter Joe_90
- Start date
That may reveal my super secret identity to certain goaters, so no. But to be fair it feels like the normal thing on most camps I visit nowadays. In the past NAAFI provided the things that the messes provide for SNCOs and Zobs. Now those things aren't provided it can be pretty depressing to visit anywhere as a Junior past the age where drinking to oblivion every night is a viable option.
The "trouble" IMO revolves around the fact that people these days are considerably better off than 20 odd years ago. As a result of this they all have cars, live out, and lives outside of the mob. I have 25 people who work for me, 1 lives in. It's got nothing to do with locking themselves in a room with an xbox, they just socialise elsewhere. All the young lads get at least as smashed as I/we used to, they just choose to do it downtown, and frankly I can't blme them.
Most of the type of welfare provision you mention was/is funded from the Station's Service Institute Fund. This was - in the main - reliant on a share of NAAFI's profits. The modern version of this is the 'gainshare' from any profit made in the CRL contract.
However, as has been mentioned before people have generally moved away from the on-unit bars and have stopped throwing their money into fruit machines, so this revenue stream has somewhat dwindled.
However, as has been mentioned before people have generally moved away from the on-unit bars and have stopped throwing their money into fruit machines, so this revenue stream has somewhat dwindled.
been there
been there
I was in a similar situation a few years back. Off to the midlands to find myself sharing a room with 3 others after 18 yrs. Same year found myself visiting a surfers paradise out of season. No Tv reception in the block, never heard of internet down there let alone wifi / mobile and the shop/ bar was shut due to no staff or something.
I had to go to the gym to watch the TV! That was a shock to the system. Oh and no sympathy from those who should be bothered about it. I was only there a few days but some guys i knew were going to be there for 4/5 weeks!
been there
I was in a similar situation a few years back. Off to the midlands to find myself sharing a room with 3 others after 18 yrs. Same year found myself visiting a surfers paradise out of season. No Tv reception in the block, never heard of internet down there let alone wifi / mobile and the shop/ bar was shut due to no staff or something.
I had to go to the gym to watch the TV! That was a shock to the system. Oh and no sympathy from those who should be bothered about it. I was only there a few days but some guys i knew were going to be there for 4/5 weeks!
Trusty Adjusty
Corporal
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Things will only get worse - at least in our opinion anyway. A generation has now joined the RAF that know nothing of decent NAAFI's, good welfare facilities etc and furthermore they don't expect it. They are more concerned with broadband in their rooms and playing COD online until their eyes bleed. Sad but true. The future will inevitably bring SLAM to all and with it the final erosions of what used to be the best things about being a junior, having a **** room meant you went out to the bar, to the gym, joined a club once a week or used the welfare facilities. Most new lads/girls don't even know what a NAAFI Bop is never mind what day it's on! I've long since moved out, but could never envisage moving back to the block now, it's like an open prison at most camps now, with less facilities and smaller rooms! 
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