ABSTRACT
There is evidence that the “spirit of community” within the British military community is in decline. Servicemen are more likely to regard their profession as a job, rather than a vocation and a way of life. Likewise, military partners are becoming less involved with creating/maintaining networks of support for each other, their serviceman, and the military as a whole. This chapter explores the possible causes of this and will reflect on how the decline in community spirit will affect the current welfare offering available to Army families. The primary reason for the decline in community spirit is that families are less likely to regard the functioning of the military as part of their responsibility and they are no longer satisfied with the implicit expectation that they should put the soldiers’ career and welfare above their own. I argue that this change in attitude has been perpetuated by women’s move into the public sphere and their increased likelihood to have a career. This gradual turn away from the military community, toward a greater focus and involvement with the civilian community, has led some families to choose to live away from camp, in order to protect the partner’s career. This chapter reflects on how access to resources such as the HIVE and Unit Welfare Officer is impacted by living away from the base. It will also consider how informal networks of support amongst Army partners are impacted when living outside of Service Families Accommodation. Ultimately it will show how military family welfare may need to adapt in order to address the possible welfare concerns of the modern family.
