The United Kingdom’s defence ministry on Monday defended a decision to pay for an ex-servicewoman to train to be an erotic “pole dancer”, arguing it has a duty to help former troops return to civilian life.
Stephanie Hulme, a former senior aircraftwoman in the Royal Air Force, received £2 290 (about R26 600) to train as a pole dancer, newspaper reports said.
After learning to pole dance — a routine generally seen in strip clubs in which scantily clad women drape themselves suggestively around a pole in time to music — the 23-year-old is now working in a London club.
Using the stage-name “Kitty”, Hulme makes up to £500 (R5 800) a night, she told the papers.
The main opposition Conservative Party criticised the re-training on Monday.
“This is an MoD that is strapped for cash, that is fighting a campaign in Iraq, fighting a campaign in Afghanistan, still has troops in northern Ireland, and has kit and equipment shortages, yet they chose to divert a sum of money into this rather odd skill,” said spokesperson Patrick Mercer, himself an ex-soldier.
“I think the resettlement packages are extremely important, and I would look forward to ex-servicemen and servicewomen being given long-term skills that will serve them throughout their subsequent careers,” he said.
“While I’m sure Senior Aircraftwoman Hulme will be able to pursue a successful short-term career as a pole dancer, I suspect this particular training will not equip her into middle age.”
A spokesperson for the ministry said that personnel who have served at least five years and are leaving for legitimate reasons can get a re-training grant of just more than £500, with additional money for travel, accommodation and food.
“We think it is right that someone who has served their country for five years should be helped to secure employment when they leave the armed forces, as long as their proposed training course is legal, and obviously this is legal,” he said.
Hulme — who admitted to being “very surprised” when her training grant was approved — told newspapers on Monday that life in the Royal Air Force had helped prepare her for the new career.
“After taking a shower, it wouldn’t be uncommon to emerge with a towel around you and walk down a corridor past a group of men and be subjected to a bit of banter,” she said. “So, the notion of getting naked and being a bit direct with men didn’t bother me.” — AFP