ARMY REFORMS TO BE IMPLEMENTED

Chronicle (Levin), 5 September 1946, Page 5

ARMY REFORMS TO BE IMPLEMENTED

Received Wednesdav, 11.25 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 4.

The Armv Council has sent a ietle) to ull connmuids at home and aluoad outliiiing steps to be taken to imple mcut Field Marshal Montgomery 's proposals for removiiig alL umiecessary restrictions dn the lii)erty of troops. Reforms to be eli'ected iinmedialely are: — All unuecessary parades such as sick parades, for clotliing, meals and befort going 011 leave, should be abolished. Sick paiades should be made to conJinn niore to eivil practice, medieal oflicers holding consultiiig" hours. Oeneral inspections, other tlian oue annual inspeetion, should be earried out informally with only a f'ew liours' warning. The mimlier of men employed on guard and picket duties should be reduced to u niinimuin. Fatigues must be kept down to a niinimuin and shoujd be organised as task work. Units should liold reciuest liours to

enable tlie men to approach commamlers witli problems and suggestions. Restrictions on a soklier's off-duty .lours should be abolished. Short passes •diould be abolished forthwitli and repuieed by the signing out system. i loops, nnless warned for duty at week- • nds, should be free until recjuired for ■lnty on Mondays. S.oldiers at any time not required for duty should be allowed Lo remain away from barracks until required. Soldiers from barracks should not ]>o restricted f rom associal ing with n.e.o.'s. Soldiers should be allowed to invite visitors into the barruc.ks where ti spee ull room should. be provided for euteritiining purposcs. Soldiers at home and abroad should be allowed to wcar civilian clotliing, the Arniy Council arranging a supply oi elothing coupons to enable the troops to iiurchase a civilian walking out kit. Tlie orders do not include Montgomery 's reoommendation for tlio removal . of Ihe lights out restrictions, permitting troops to read in bed.