I was very surprised when it was announced that the government was going to assist serviceman with further education grants to assist resettlement as if this was a new improvement to conditions of service.
When the Open University started in the 70s all of my course fees for the necessary 6 credits for a first degree were all paid for me by the RN. The MoD also paid my Summer School Fees and allowed me go on duty for 2 weeks per year for 3 years to get the six credits for a first degree. As there were no higher degree courses with the OU in those olden days I enrolled for a second BA series of courses which were also paid by MoD each year. I didn't actually complete the 2nd degree as, after a long battle, I was eventually allowed to take early retirement to attend an MSc(Eng) studentship at Imperial College that I had enrolled for even though I was told I'd have to wait a further two years before I could retire.
Despite this battle with MoD, which lasted best part of a year and I was informed a few times by the powers that be that I would be deserting by accepting the studentship. I retired with the full pension entitlement for my years of service and then received a TOPS grant from the government for my post graduate year.This grant covered all of my course fees and basic living costs in student accomodation in London in the 70s.
What on earth has gone wrong with resettlement conditions, since those days?
