Tour of a British Soldiers Room | British Army Barracks

[@francisalderson4469]

Much better than my accommodation was when I was a Corporal in the early 80s. Better than some of the senior ranks’ rooms I occupied later on.

[@stephenlangton3814]

I agree i went through basic in the 80's at Keogh barracks 12 man rooms with wood floor and the good old wire bed

[@PiperX1X]

Flipping heck, when I served back in the 90’s it was six to a room, four if you were lucky and two if you were very lucky. But very fortunately when I was based at Somme Barracks in Catterick I lived only fifteen miles away from camp so I travelled each day, so I could get away from, snoring, belching and farting! But it was the best time of my life and was proud to serve. X1X. Thanks for the tour and thank you for your service and stay safe.

[@Jib230181]

Good to see you are doing well in the RMP and good to see a video as not seen one in a while. Stay safe.

[@athollmcnicoll1028]

Compared to my days in the RAF your living accomodation is Luxurious, as I shared rooms with 3 other guys. Mind you that was back in the 1970's.

[@Mariner108]

@athollmcnicoll1028 Haha typical RAF. In the navy you'd be in a 40 man mess with 4 tier bunk beds so small they are like coffins

[@garytaylor8121]

Been there ,done that.. Even lived in a Barack block ,12 men open plan. One bedside locker. Two wardrobes which separated you from next bed space. One wash room and toilet block ( Ex RAF 67 to 83)

[@chrisdavey9985]

Uuu were lucky

[@CL-vz6ch]

Please.... RAF lived in hotels.

[@Stanly-Stud]

@@Mariner108 Must have stunk of stale farts

[@philstaples8122]

Mid 80's mostly BOAR Tankie, 4 man room in "sub standard accommodation" former SS barracks that still had most of the eagle on the camp wall. No quilts or trainers and probably all the better for it.

[@nikhinson3703]

Our accommodation in the UK in the 80s was pretty grim, with 4 to a room. However in Hohne it was very good. We lived in flats that had a kitchen, showers, lounge and drying room. There were two single rooms, two doubles and two four man rooms. I was a Lance Jack and had a two man to myself as it had double the storage of the one man’s.

[@adamdoughty8158]

SNCO and WOs accommodation is double the size of this room for those that are interested. You get space for a DOUBLE bed and a sofa next to it, two double wardrobes, and the en-suite is a little bit bigger. But for a junior rank, they're spot on. Definitely better now than when I joined up.

[@Will-b7g]

You've never served

[@abcdefs100]

Any idea what Officers get in this case?

[@adamdoughty8158]

@@abcdefs100 not sure mate, the mess I'm in now is very old and doesn't have this type of accommodation and it's the same as the Officers. My room in the mess at ATR Winchester was as I've described it above, but the Officers mess their, was old accommodation too, no en-suite.

[@abcdefs100]

@@adamdoughty8158 decent, cheers for replying, all the best 👍

[@johnnunn8688]

@@Will-b7g I doubt you have.

[@snowflakemelter1172]

1990s Parachute regiment, Aldershot, one bed , one locker, room shared with entire platoon. No twinkly lights.

[@foxy7674.]

yeap totally agree

[@carlwilson1772]

Don't call the lass out for the way things are now. She's serving her country. We should be proud of her.

[@philbrandon0532]

Yeah, Pirbright it was section rooms of 8 beds and a Platoon over two floors. Went in Monty Lines 2000 for a few years, tower blocks 😊

[@DTOLL9000]

Sounds worse than jail. Completely taken advantage of by the govt.

[@carlwilson1772]

@@DTOLL9000 It was. In the 1990s the UK armed forces had less spent on them per head for food and accomodation than did prisoners in jail. What a way to treat people serving their country. The MOD didn't give a toss about us. Just took, took, took what we had and gave nothing. That's why it pisses me off big time when people try to make a virtue out of the shite conditions. Say what you like about the Yanks, they treat their armed forces with the respect they deserve.

[@pat23668952]

During my service in the 50s and 60s, we frequently shared a room with 30 to 40 people, living in tin Nissen huts warmed by a single coal fire.

[@gracewhite6214]

Ok pat that was over half a century ago

[@DanielsPolitics1]

Yeah, and retention and recruitment was so good that we had to rely on conscription. And it was a shit way to treat service people.

[@davyroberts6019]

That's when it was britain.not the woke place it is know with the hurty hurt brigade...

[@Bigducksrule]

When you have to call out a coat hook and a radiator as a feature you know it’s crap.

[@ChelsieAngeles]

🤣

[@ashleylewis9119]

@@ChelsieAngeles cool

[@rupertbare2023]

Very interesting, Chelsie. Much nicer personal accommodation for a junior NCO than I would ever have expected (with my experience from the 1950s). 👍

[@Stanly-Stud]

Blah blah blah ...no-one cares Gramps

[@aroberts8127]

I remember my first room, single bed chest of drawers at the end of it and a stand alone wardrobe which I had to move out of the way every time I wanted to open the door. Good luck with the rest of your career, its a great life but remember that it's never too early to start planning what you would like to do once you are out.

[@Jrichards30]

Great video and it’s so good to see these one subject explanation videos that people want to know about but the Other other Army KZbinrs just talk about the exciting stuff

[@stevenbreach2561]

1981,single room was for NCO,s.Tprs shared a 3 man room,and this was after "Op Humane",which was a huge improvement on the hovel that we suffered before that.Imphal Bks,Osnabruck,5th RiDG

[@inthearea63]

Army accommodation was always the luck of the draw and sometimes even which block you were in inside a camp. That room is a luxury suite compared with what we had in the eighties.

[@ChilliNE70]

Just wanted to say brilliant vlogs...! Good effort keeping posting. Important for all those thinking of joining the army.

[@terrystephens8603]

Kandahar barracks Tidworth 92. Moved from 1 block to 1 with ceiling falling down.treated very poorly untill move to Abingdon took over from RAF . All single rooms.

[@Tuffydipstick]

Much better than when I was in the WRAC during the 70s. We shared a room and we only had one wardrobe and a dressing table each.

[@scroggins100]

Second attempt KZbin ate the first one: Woe Tuffydipstick one dressing table EACH.. Im ex RAF and in Cyprus we had WRAC on our watch.. Very naughty girls they were. Once broke into our block and stole my trousers.. It wasnt you was it.. Keep safe Tuffy x

[@ageingrapidly]

Really interesting Chelsie. I seerved in the RAF in the 80s till the end of the first Gulf War, and my barrack block accommodation was nothing like this. Like many commenting, it was shared with 7 other lads in one large room. We used to create mini 'rooms' by positioning the chest of drawers and wardrobes around our beds. 2 communal showers and 2 baths shared by 24 lads on each floor. Is this accommodation representative of all single person's accommodation?

[@fitzpotful]

Contrast that to a typical room in the 70s/80s in a block room in aldershot, no privacy, lockers crammed with gear etc.. chaotic times

[@scroggins100]

Rewind 1973 RAF Benson Lord Block. 14 man rooms 6 ft square for each man, one cupboard one wardrobe, one bedside mat, one bed iron, four blankets two pillows and sheets. One old man in the corner who kept his socks in a fire bucket of soapy water and lots of people farting all night.. Still, we managed to get on.

[@garytaylor8121]

I was at RAF Benson 68/69 ...Yeh I had the same ...but it was the norm .

[@scroggins100]

@@garytaylor8121 I totally had the best time of my life at Benson. Sooo many laughs. Could write a book. Took a pissed horse to a party in the bubbly club... And so on.. Whatever happened to this country eh. We got no money, but the comradeship was everything.

[@chrisdavey9985]

Benson my 1st camp after training remember it well worked at the radio site next to the tower

[@davesharpe3877]

Good to show this, its modern military accomodation. Like people have commented, i was in the Navy from 1991, 6 man messes, shared bathrooms and toilets, pretty awful compared to todays standards! Our Military deserve the best x

[@maxplanck9055]

The modern accommodation looks good for a new soldier, far better than the old perceived barracks ✌️❤️🇬🇧

[@keith-q4v]

RMP always had better accommodation that real soldiers, can’t imagine this girl putting up with living in a shared room at Depot Para Browning Barracks in the 80 s

[@ianblowes1295]

Wow back in my day you lived in a 3 Person room with a single bed

[@eliasblum753]

Looks pretty decent. This is much better accommodation than I had as an officer 20 years ago. We certainly didn't have ensuite bathrooms. I'm glad things have improved.

[@ChelsieAngeles]

It does depend on the camp, but I lucked out with this!

[@markbeards4441]

We were lucky if we had hot water back in my day in Pirbright. Looks good. I hope you’re having fun.

[@ChelsieAngeles]

Definitely been on some camps like that! 🤣

[@younisakram6424]

awesome video chelsie

[@Bill_Dingsite]

To be honest im glad we had the accommodation we had in the 90s. It cant have the same comradeship as we had and must be a bit lonely in these hotel type rooms.

[@ChelsieAngeles]

It can be isolating but I had a good corridor that was social. There’s still camps where you’d share a room. Depends on the job role and where you are!

[@Elfin4]

Still some shocking accommodation still in service though. Brize Norton gatehouse springs to mind, single sink in room, mould on ceiling, cold water and shared communal toilet and shower facilities with whole block.

[@deanoc1530]

That's closed now.

[@Elfin4]

@@deanoc1530 From when?

[@deanoc1530]

I got told last week. Don't know when it closed, though.

[@billw1487]

Amazing from someone who remembers army beds with bolsters and sectional coir mattresses 😂

[@Stanly-Stud]

🥱

[@Spartacus45]

Pretty plush to what we had back at Victoria Barracks in the 80's-90's. 💂‍♂️🇬🇧 " Nulli Secundus "

[@KellyMDJ]

Victoria Barracks hasn't changed!

[@philbrandon0532]

​​@kelly26b or Elizabeth Barracks in the 💂‍♂️💂‍♂️💂‍♂️💂‍♂️💂‍♂️

[@paultom1]

Best way I found to have this room was bed facing window with headboard facing lockers. Desk behind head board locker doors still open then have your draws and one from locker next to each other under window next to cupboard right of your end of bed and iron board fits in the gap between the walk in cupboard wall and the gap between draws TV in there so can sit at desk and watch TV eat ect I had fridge and freeze left of the desk against the wall and more floor space and in cupboard you have plenty of floor space for bergan and other stuff. Ends up a right good set up otherwise you find yourself sat in bed all the haha

[@Ghost-of-a-man]

I wish I had joined the military when I was young. One of my biggest regrets.

[@simonh6371]

Re. your Dutch police badges from Nijmegen, those aren't actually civpol as we know them, they are KMar (Koninglijke Marechaussee) and don't have a UK equivalent. They serve as military police but also are used in civilian environments and certainly do have authority over civilians (unlike RMP). For example they patrol airports and check passports in immigration; do random checks on trains crossing borders, and also at train stations next to borders; VIP protection and lots more. But they are fully trained soldiers and KMar is part of the Dutch armed forces.

[@blaisedunbar5097]

Thx for your service

[@KevC1234]

The difference in standard of accommodation from when i joined to when I left was mind blowing, it is only right that the accommodation is good, shared rooms and living in squalor should not be seen as acceptable. Exemplo ducemus.

[@philiplaycock8944]

Thoroughly enjoyed! 👍

[@TommyBahama84]

This accommodation, that was rolled out over 15 years ago, is still not the norm across defence.

[@gazowen7719]

I had the new accomodation at tidworth. Brand new block after Afghan. Issues was like everything in the army...the newer newer something is, the shiner it needs to be. Billing lads left right and centre for stupid shit. Tiles fell off one lads wall as it was prefab crap and they charged him £200 for it

[@nickbrooker1411]

1980s/90s Airman - fuck me you needed to be a Sgt to get a double bed and en-suite!! we had single beds and a single basin in a narrow room....had to wander down the corridor and wait for a toilet or shower to be free!!!!

[@CL-vz6ch]

Just remember when someone knocks on your door and says they need a body for shift, just say you've had a drink...

[@rjacob1857]

Joined the army in 1976 we 4 were 4 to room during apprentice trg once I joined my unit 2 to room in the Canadian army.

[@LouisConsta-e8h]

Possible theme. Army winter kit, when you get it. Combat gear & Formal activities. Congratulations for the achievements and best wishes towards short & long term goals

[@keenymeeny2]

Better than some officers mess from my day !

[@uioplkhj]

Good progress then.

[@V.C.S69]

Wonder what you would have made of my shared barrack room back in the 60’s and the cleaning of it including the block? To be honest I prefer those days compared to what you have today.

[@chrisdavey9985]

1972 raf 20+to adorm 1small wardrobe for uniform and civvies a small locker for my books still it was great fun everybody spoke to everyone many friendships made

[@larryadumuah883]

Hello there miss, I’m Larry from Ghana. Heard British army will be recruiting from commonwealth countries from 19th-25th of August 2024. I’d be applying though but, the issue is if anyone from the commonwealth country wants to join they need a referral from anyone currently serving in the British army. I’d be very honored if you can do me that favour. 🙏

[@RoughWalkers]

Doesnt work like that as she osnt a friend or family ... asking random soldiers this is like commiting fraud how far through the application process are you and do you even have a visa?

[@gsmith2000994]

@@RoughWalkers as you say, unless s/he applies as a musician.

[@saeculasaeculorum6218]

​@@RoughWalkers Greetings. Trust you're hale and hearty. Please, how can i contact you please? I'm far with the process and have an int. pass.

[@Sjsuisbacsp]

Respect

[@darrenlegallais1974]

I really wish Z type accommodation was a thing when I was a Junior Soldier…. I went from a 10 man room in phase 1 training, to a 4 man room in phase 2 training to a e man room in Germany (Hameln), then a 4 man room in Germany (Paderborn) when the Regiment moved in 99 😢 these rooms look mega

[@billywhizz1656]

i lived in Caterham in the 90s the last time that had a lick of paint wellington was in charge,

[@thejanner]

Lichfield wen i was satisifield soldier had the whole building oppo the drill square to myself was fantastic

[@yourfave31]

I never thought the military would offer better accommodation than some universities. What a time to be alive😂

[@Lee77]

These rooms ain’t as great as you think I seen so many faults with them from flooding mould ceilings falling in doors coming off the cupboards and the plumbing is awful and constantly having to get repairs done they are so cheaply made

[@TheHunter512]

See my view has always been this.... every politician should be offered the choice between representative forces accom (tbf single bed SLAM) or pay for their digs in london out of their own pocket with no allowance.

[@DarrenTurner-d2i]

It's a lot better than when I served, I stayed in dumps.

[@stevedoggart2805]

Do monkeys get a special block away from the squad?

[@ChelsieAngeles]

Usually

[@simondavey7787]

It looks functional but has everything you need. What are the facilities on camp like?

[@ChelsieAngeles]

Really good! Always have great gyms and the food is improving!

[@Mod-rw9cw]

Where’s the rest of your kit ?

[@jamesburnop9768]

On-suite!!!!! what happened to sharing with everyone else, even when a Sergeant at the Guards Depot (Pirbright) great place I only had a room half the size just bed, wardrobe and that was it. How things change.

[@FeathersMcGinty]

Good to see all the 'When I was in during the late 80s we had to wear KF shirts' types commenting. The Army has moved on, and people have more medals than your count of 0 nowadays 😅

[@TheLotusManFILMs.]

Is this really exciting enough for a premiere in two weeks?

[@reluctentninja]

Depends on your circumstances for example if you are a young person thinking of joining the Army then yes absolutely. I was in for 30 years ( AAC) what a great time.

[@RoughWalkers]

​@@reluctentninja would you really advise people to join the army tho? Especially given the crap they are signing up for

[@reluctentninja]

@@RoughWalkers yes absolutely, there are many opportunities to be had in the modern army and many skills to learn.

[@reluctentninja]

@roughwalkers I'm ex AAC flew the Lynx from op Baner to Telic so we may well have.

[@CL-vz6ch]

​@@RoughWalkers "in my day"

[@TK-ux5du]

It's so much nicer than I would have imagined. Could they get a smaller radiator, though?!? 😃

[@ChelsieAngeles]

🤣🤣🤣

[@josephdixon629]

A lot better than what we had in 89..

[@StuartBtn]

In my day we slept rough with a stream to and shower in, these youngsters don’t know how lucky they are blah blah blah, good on her and any young person in HM Armed Forces

[@mick4768]

you lot today got it cushy

[@stevennuttall9449]

That accommodation is only that nice because it’s a new facility with Tier one accommodation. many of the postings she will go to will not have T1 accommodation and if you got a Cyprus you will live in substandard accommodation and If you got a many bases in the UK, you will live in substandard accommodation, do not think that all your accommodation is going to be nice and having a room to yourself is a modern day luxury, be prepared to share

[@TheSupernova89]

Slam blocks are great. I went backwards from when I joined up. I ended up in 2 old none en suite rooms with a big unused pipe running through both of them 😂😂😂 however I hung up stuff around it with a paracord, life saver 😂 I also technically had a living room and a bedroom. I had a mate who had a bath in his rooms en suite. Why is that a thing 😂

[@carlitahyrine6382]

Hi I'm looking for a referal is it possible you assist. I'm applying from common wealth countries. I have a sponsor

[@Buckblacket]

Love your specs squaddie ;)

[@LaHayeSaint]

Chelsie -- Thank you for your interesting room tour. If you were a squaddie, surely your amenities would be much more basic. Do they spoil you as you are RMP?

[@ChelsieAngeles]

I think it depends more on the camp / job role. Most RMP rooms are like this (some have shared bathrooms), so we’re lucky in that respect. But it’s definitely not just the RMP that have this.

[@LaHayeSaint]

@@ChelsieAngeles Chelsie -- In that case, you don't do too badly. I hope that the room inspections are far apart as these can be a terrible unnerving time for many soldiers. The continuous high standards of turn out can be vexing for many soldiers as well. However, I'm sure squaddies accommodation is more basic. If you live in this comfortable accommodation, what is the Officer's accommodation like? En suite with a batman? Who cleans Officer's boots these days?

[@mumblinuncle]

If the person has a family, where are they lodged?

[@ChelsieAngeles]

They can opt to have their own house, or rent one from the army at a heavily discounted rate.

[@allonshaftoe391]

I shared a 4 man room when the Germany in the late 80s

[@glynluff2595]

Bit different from a Hitler Barracks in Germany! Glad you have a civilised area to retire to!

[@lbdr6475]

Is that a double bed? Why?

[@andyburns2385]

Similar to Ballykinler after the update in 1996. Although only a single bed

[@josht432]

Is this in Woolwich i think i recognise the rooms ?

[@jock3552]

Great video Chels, great to see that the Singlies accommodation is so much better. The MOD are actually listening to the troops. I attended a good friends engagement party at Southwick House a few years ago, nice big room, double bed but a shared bathroom? Keep safe, and just remember the famous words of Field Marshall Montgomery just before the second battle of El Alamein. "Stag On" 😊

[@lbdr6475]

Not much kit in that locker. 2 sets of combats and some lacey ladies under garments. Blimey 😮

[@JimmyShelton-j6c]

Hi Chelsie hope you're well have a great weekend tgc from Jimmy Shelton in Manchester

[@trevorbarnes4731]

A Lot better than Expat's shop doorways

[@ianlee487]

In my day we were in a dorm you dont know how lucky you are 2 para colchester

[@steveforster9764]

Browning barracks 1980 8 man rooms Bed locker bedside table

[@paulritchie5868]

Stanley fort Hong Kong,as I was an NCO I had my own room,12x 7 feet sweatbox…no air con and cockroaches all over the place,disgusting accommodation and we had to pay for the privilege…army in my day 76-89 didn’t give a toss how or where the soldiers lived,honestly all my postings ..Chelsea,Aldergrove,Hong Kong and Pirbright the accommodation was poor,also did time in Cyprus on exercise,Kenya ,malaya all short tours where the situation was piss poor…during my time at breacon on a course we never even had hot water on return from the field…

[@alexblue6991]

Dose everyone who joins the army get their own room?

[@ChelsieAngeles]

No, depends on your location, role and rank

[@alexblue6991]

@@ChelsieAngeles I thought rank had a lot to do with it thanks for getting back to me

[@kitpimp]

Love the Dolce Gusto machine

[@livingandtrue]

Hello, I have an in-law in the Nigeria Army who is interested in joining the British Army he is 27 years and he needs nomination from a person in the UK army. He informed me recruitment is ongoing. I pray you can help

[@RoughWalkers]

No needs a family or friend to nominate them, get it right, and clearly they do not have a visa yet sooo the answer is no

[@livingandtrue]

Thanks

[@ashleylewis9119]

What is the fun and the challenging part of your job? How long did it take you to pass out of Sandhurst?

[@ChelsieAngeles]

I love the variety. Places I can go, roles I can do, people I can meet, things I can learn. I less enjoy not being able to plan too far ahead. I’m a JNCO, so I haven’t gone to Sandhurst.

[@gazboh]

late 80s it was a 2 man WW2 barracks between me and my lcpl. no where near that much furniture. and locker space. Let alone a double bed.

[@paultudor1906]

Been there done that 4 years active service 2 years infantry and 2 years as a trained sniper

[@KevMcHenry]

Really?

[@paultudor1906]

@@KevMcHenry really

[@KevMcHenry]

@@paultudor1906 Strange choice of phrase: 4 years “active service”. Or just 4 years service? I don’t know anyone that has been on four years active service since WW2. Also Snipers are generally infantry, you wouldn’t have to leave the infantry to be a sniper.

[@paultudor1906]

@@KevMcHenry I did

[@simonh6371]

Okay Walt

[@terryevans2411]

Too secluded. My time in the legion in the 80s, 12 to 20 per chambre. On the rare occasion you had the room to yourself you would actually miss the mayhem.

[@ChelsieAngeles]

There’s still regiments / camps where you’d share a room. All depends on where you are and what you’re doing!

[@zaynevanday142]

Holy Shit your own bathroom 🔥 we had to share ablutions at the end of the section corridor 2 showers 4 loos 😂

[@todgertownwhite]

I thought RMP starting rank was fullscrew?

[@ChelsieAngeles]

It’s LCpl

[@Will-b7g]

Amazing and you are absolutely stunning

[@vincentosei-z3o]

How much do you pay for rent

[@kelseycromptonxox7373]

That the nicest accommodation I’ve ever seen in the army 😂

[@nozmulm]

Do I have to camp out more than 7 days in a row for the initial basic training reservist

[@ChelsieAngeles]

It was 4 days, 3 nights when I did it

[@RoughWalkers]

😂😂😂😂😂😂 ffs

[@DonMacLeod-h4w]

I can hardly believe what I am seeing. We certainly did not have this luxury.

[@Liam1991]

How come you're living in the block? Are we reservists now entitled housing?

[@kitpimp]

She isn't a reservist

[@MrRisingg]

@@kitpimp She is, she was just mobilised to work alongside regs

[@RoughWalkers]

Probably .... they are only just on min wage

[@Liam1991]

@@RoughWalkers us reservists are on a daily rate of pay

[@andrewward2010]

Looks a nice room. I guess it was from end of last year if you were deciding what to wear for NYE lol! So I am guessing that you have moved from there now?