AFF’s Overseas Manager Esther Thomas was recently invited to join Lt Col Bee Smith, Land Warfare Centre, on her first visit to the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK).
The aim was to find out more about the experience of serving personnel who are there on six-month temporary duties, training exercises and permanently assigned for two years with their families.
First stop was a tour of Kifaru Barracks, the transit camp in Nairobi used by troops and families. A few issues raised included lack of WiFi, air conditioning and quality of meals in comparison to main camp.
ISOLATED COMMUNITY
After travelling north to Nyati Barracks, they arrived at main camp just before the nighttime driving curfew. Close to the equator and at the base of Mount Kenya, it is a rural, isolated community.
With around 260 personnel and 200 family members, the community is bolstered with equal numbers of Kenyan support staff and G4S security personnel.
During training times the army population can swell with an additional 1,000 personnel accommodated in tin-roofed huts at the Forward Mounting Base.
The potential for security and welfare challenges is always present and the team joined the Royal Military Police on a routine tour of the local nightlife to find out how they positively police local venues, working with the local force.
DISCUSSION OF CHALLENGES
Esther discussed families’ challenges with senior command, including a lack of spousal employment and guidance for those who want to work remotely for a UK company; limited special educational needs support; limited secondary education, which is only available on a weekly boarding basis in Nairobi; medical emergency evacuation and allowances, particularly the cost of vehicles.
She also met the Senior Medical Officer to talk about supportability screening, pregnancy issues and mental health and visited the temporary duty staff dental team to find out about families’ access to treatment.
She was also able to speak to the British Forces Post Office (see page 30 of the autumn edition of Army&You), the Regimental Administrative Officer about passports and immigration, and families at a community event.
PREP IS KEY
Esther said: “Many of the challenges discussed by the chain of command and families are enduring, and some are due to external factors.
“I’m pleased to see greater emphasis placed on ensuring families and personnel are prepared and understand the challenges and rewards of an assignment here.”
Maj Adrian Clark, the new unit welfare officer, has recently revised the families’ pack and encouraged the development of a spouses’ network.
For further information, email CTG-BATUK-Welfare-GpMailbox@mod.gov.uk