Page 35 - Cormorant Issue 20 2017

collective defence in Eastern Europe and European stability initiatives more widely. The student opinion was that BREXIT should not detract from activities and initiatives of this nature, but that there was potential for cooperation to suffer in the short-term due to departmental capacity in the UK and domestic political imperatives in Europe.
The most signi cant worry for the UK and European students was sub-national violence in the form of terrorism in Europe, the movement of people into Southern Europe and the potential for ‘sub-article 5’ hostility from national actors affecting NATO’s ability to implement collective defence. The commitments to NATO and European defence already highlighted were seen as a positive aspect but the capacity of institutions to continue the required cooperation
to alleviate Europe’s most pressing security issues was called into question, though not to the extent of Beatrice Heuser’s conclusion to her recent article in the RUSI Journal in which she questioned the viability of NATO Article 5 and highlighted a move towards bilateralism.
The political evolution witnessed since the UK’s decision to leave the European Union continued
to present many of the ACSC student body with concerns over the impact on peace and security especially in Europe. From the UK student perspective, the importance of the cornerstones of the UK National Security Strategy was highlighted
in order to maintain the UK’s position of in uence in world security affairs. From the defence economic perspective there remains concern about technical dif culties impeding cooperation on collaborative defence programmes and the science and technology eld. From the perspective of peace and security in Europe, the international commitments to NATO were seen as welcome and largely independent of BREXIT, but that differing opinions on the nature of European multilateral defence would weaken the UK’s in uence on CSDP and may drive towards bilateralism. Despite questions about the departmental capacity of the UK Government however, BREXIT was not seen as a major impediment to the initiatives already underway or the initiation of new action.
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Inexpensive and Effective Health Care Insurance for Of cers’ Families
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AMONG THE MANY ORGANISATIONS which assist families of the Armed Forces, Lady Grover’s Fund is a little-known nugget of real value. The Fund is a Friendly Society – a mutual insurance company owned collectively by its members, who pay £50 a year for up to £6,930 in healthcare for their spouse and children. The Fund was started with great foresight in 1911
by the wife of General Grover, Adjutant General of the Indian Army. Since then, Lady Grover’s Fund has extended its membership to of cers of all three services - serving and retired, and The Royal Fleet Auxiliary. With Forces’ families now dependant on the NHS or private medical care, The Fund’s mission to help the families of of cers is as valid now as it was in 1911.
“We are a very inexpensive and effective get-you- home healthcare insurance”, says Colonel Mike Vickery, the Fund’s Secretary. “We support of cers’ wives, husbands, widows, widowers and children by paying for hospital or nursing home accommodation, care at home, and domestic help following injury, illness or surgery. This really helps recovery in that
dif cult time when you come home from hospital
but need personal care, or help with the household chores. At a subscription of £50 a year for a potential claim of £6,930 a year it’s a fantastic deal in health insurance for your family.”
One contented member put it: “Nearly £7,000 of health insurance for less than the cost of a G&T a month! What a bargain!”
With frequent periods of separation still a common theme of Forces life, it is a comfort to know that Lady Grover’s Fund can help you to afford the best care for your family while you are away. Can you afford not to be a member?
For further details and to join, please
email the Secretary, Lady Grover’s Fund secretary@ladygrover.org.uk , or visit our website www.ladygrover.org.uk