Single soldier study released

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 320, 23 January 1990, Page 5

Single soldier study released

A study of single military personnel posted to Waiouru is now available for soldiers to read in unit orderly rooms. The study was conducted during 1988 to provide information and make recommendation to the Commander ATG and the NZ Army on the process of adjustment by single military personnel to living in Waiouru. The author of the report, Karen Paterson, conducted the study to fulfil thesis requirements for her Master of Social Sciences degree through the University of Waikato. The aim of the study T urn page 8

Single soldier study released

From page 5 was to: • Identify the main problems which single military personnel face in Waiouru. • Ascertain the social factors, such as social support, which facilitate adjustment to living in Waiouru. • Determine which

physical environment factors, such as accommodation and recreation facilities, are most important for satisfactory adjustment to Waiouru. • Assess the need for an information booklet, or some other type of information source, to assist single personnel to adjust

quickly and successfully to living in Waiouru. • Make recommendations with regard to New Zealand Army policy affecting single military personnel living in isolated communities. The author defined "single" as those who had never been married and those who were di-

vorced or separated, provided they were not responsible for caring for their own children. Only personnel posted to Waiouru were included in the study. A total of 37 single personnel were interviewed as part of the, study. Satisfaction with Waiouru Most people inter-

viewed (89%) said that they were satisfied with living in Waiouru. Expectation and reaction Expectations about living in Waiouru tended to be negative eg. (isolated, cold, lack of things to do). However, because these were realistic in many cases, they appeared to enhance ad-

justment to Waiouru. Being posted to Waiouru seemed to be generally accepted as part of being in the Army, and most people attempted to 'make the best of the situation. Problems The main problem faced by single personnel living in Waiouru appears.to be related to Waiouru's relative isolation from a large town or city. The study identified five main problems: • Lack of variety of social and recreation activities. • Lack of transport. • Lack o f accommodation. • The nature of barrack rules. • Difficulty getting away from the military environment. Loneliness, friendships and social support Loneliness does not appear to affect many single personnel to any extent. Adjustment seems to be enhanced because of the relative ease with which most single people make friends in Waiouru. Social and recreation facilities Most of those interviewed considered that existing facilities met

their needs. Many considered that existing facilities either could not be improved or could not think of any improvemdnt. Accommodation Interviewees were generally satisfied with their accommodation, particularly SNCO's an officers. Those aspects most disliked were the poor physical state of older accommodation, barrack inspections and barrack/mess rules. Transport Many (41%) of those interviewed did not have their own means of transport. There was some evidence to suggest that not having one's own transport may contribute to dissatisfaction with Waiouru. Information Booklet There was considerable support from those interviewed and surveyed for the suggestion to provide single personnel with an information booklet about Waiouru. The author made a total of nine recommendations concerning improvements to both social, recreation and accommodation facilities as well as changes to current Army procedures and policy affecting single personnel. The Empty Page understands that there has been no discussion made about the study due to it only recently becoming available to ATG units. The Empty Page acknowledges Headquarters ATG, for allowing parts of the study to be made available for its readers.