Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth is among 10 military training establishments to be visited by the Armed Forces Commissioner as part of an independent review of welfare and behaviour.
Polly Miller-Perkins will examine experiences across initial military training, with recruits, staff and families being invited to contribute evidence.
The South Hams Gazette reported on 7 October that Dartmouth’s naval college is included in the wider investigation. The newspaper states that there is currently no suggestion of wrongdoing at the college. (southhams-today.co.uk)
A review across military training
The commissioner’s office announced the review on 18 September, describing its focus as welfare, behaviour and the experiences of people at Phase 1 training establishments.
Phase 1 is the initial stage of military training and, for many recruits, their first experience of service life.
The review will also consider instructors and the chain of command. The commissioner’s office says challenges in these environments may affect staff as well as recruits. (afcommissioner.org.uk)
Concerns following Harrogate allegations
The BBC’s report, republished by AOL, links the investigation to allegations raised by four young women about sexual assault and harassment at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate.
Miller-Perkins told the BBC that its reporting had reinforced concerns she already held about military training establishments.
The allegations concern Harrogate. Dartmouth’s inclusion in the wider review should not be read as evidence that similar allegations have been made against the naval college. (aol.com, southhams-today.co.uk)
Recruits, staff and families invited to contribute
On 7 October, the commissioner launched an official call for evidence.
It invites contributions from current and former recruits, staff and family members who supported service personnel through Phase 1 training during the past five years.
The evidence will help the review examine welfare, behaviour and people’s experiences of training. The office makes clear that this exercise is separate from the process for submitting individual complaints or applications. (afcommissioner.org.uk)
Visits planned for November
According to the BBC report, Miller-Perkins plans to visit the 10 establishments in November and aims to produce early findings in the new year.
The review includes Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, the Army Foundation College and training establishments serving the Royal Navy, Army and RAF.
The Ministry of Defence told the BBC that it welcomed independent scrutiny and was committed to safe, professional training with appropriate welfare support.
The commissioner said her recommendations would be made public. (aol.com)
Trivane View
Military recruits need to feel safe during training and confident that concerns will be taken seriously. This review should be judged by the evidence it gathers, the findings it publishes and the action that follows. Being included in the review does not mean a college has been found responsible for abuse.
