Rules are rules

For people who have so far lived their lives under the double-whammy of civil and military law – not to mention international law, the Geneva Convention, status of forces agreements, memoranda of understanding and rules of engagement – what may appear to be the relative freedom of the rest of the population can seem attractive. But little is what it seems on the surface, and civilian life contains its own pitfalls and pratfalls for people who do not understand and appreciate its rules and regulations.

Military law can appear a pretty blunt instrument, although its application has become more refined in recent years. The edicts of warrant officers and NCOs are all-important to those of junior rank, while the authority of a commanding officer remains awesome by any standards. The subtleties of peace-keeping and peace enforcement demand understanding and strict observance from the troops involved, and recent events show political and legal authorities, to say nothing of the media, taking a close interest when things go wrong.

And then there are the unwritten rules: the angle of a cap badge, the pet hates of a senior figure, the demands of some inter-unit competition or the expectations of a commander. These can be very powerful, particularly for the new arrival with a natural urge to conform to peer pressure. The line between a legitimate order and a dodgy one, or between robust training and bullying, can be a fine one that often depends on the perception of the individual at the receiving end of it.

But civilian life also has its laws and its rules, which are in some cases every bit as constricting as military ones. Civil law, of course, is exactly the same for both. However, it can often feel as if it is applied more strictly out of uniform, with a collection of individuals who can be more precious about their ‘rights’ than the average sailor, soldier or airman/woman. We are not talking here about major crimes, but rather about the minor diktats that govern a great deal of our lives.

Consider the old-fashioned bollocking – acceptable in the Services as all our readers must know from first-hand experience. But try using those words to a civilian employee … or rather don’t. You are liable to be met with tears, breakdowns, weeks off work and a letter from an employment solicitor. Try telling your favourite joke at the coffee machine … or rather don’t. Some passing individual will take exception to what they allege is a sexual/racial/ethnic/religious slur and you could be given a P45 for an offence against the company’s code of conduct that merits instant dismissal. Of course, these results could also happen in the military but they usually don’t.

There are many other restrictions in the world of work. Many are obvious, with qualifications and formal training necessary for employment in areas as different as the law and diving. The Working Time Directive limits working hours, with current union pressure to reduce the working week further. Part P of the Building Regulation prevents people from carrying out relatively minor electrical jobs in their own houses, while the bouncer at the pub door now needs a licence. Driving regulations become stricter, and it will soon be necessary to hold a qualification to work on a building site.

This is not all bad news. While the health and safety industry has mushroomed in recent years, there is no denying that much of the extra oversight has been necessary to protect workers and the public. You would not wish a surgeon to be carrying out a complex operation on your eye with little training and inadequate rest, any more than anyone wants to see someone driving a multi-wheeled juggernaut half asleep and talking into a mobile phone.

Much of this is explained more fully in this edition of Quest. We cover road transport management and driving qualifications and training because these are areas of constant interest to Service leavers – even if a first job in transport often leads to other things later. Working in the Prison Service and even as a probation officer are possible for many people and have offered successful second careers for many in the past. Railways are big business, with opportunities for both technical and customer-facing roles, while more than 30 million vehicles on the UK’s roads ensure a thriving motor industry.

Close protection seems to be on the up, with more and more opportunities in an increasingly dangerous and unstable world. However, potential bodyguards need to know about the licence requirements and make sure they do not fall foul of the regulations. Many Service people could consider health and safety as a possible career option. Their military duties often involved it, and being concerned about the well-being of others should be second nature.

So there it is – some thought-provoking information in the run-up to Christmas.