Tri-Service

Do Hugs Have A Role In The Armed Forces?

A while ago I saw something quite unique, and maybe something I thought I would never see.

Lance Corporal Josh Leakey, from 1st Battalion the Parachute Regiment, was presented with the Victoria Cross (VC) for the kind of valour and bravery on operations in Afghanistan that is simply breathtaking.

For those who are unfamiliar with the British military and operational honours, the awarding of the VC - a medal cast from the gun metal of a Russian cannon captured in the siege of Sevastapol during the Crimean War - is the highest decoration awarded anywhere in the British Military.

Quite rightly the awarding of a VC is rare, but not unique. What was unique, certainly something I have never seen in my 30 years working as a forces broadcaster was the action of the man presenting the medal to LCpl Leakey.

One which I’m certain would have taken the PARA soldier aback and probably many a senior officer too. The Chief of the General Staff, Head of the British Army General Sir Nick Carter on making the presentation hugged the recipient.

No-one is sure whether this was a spur of the moment thing, or something Sir Nick had pre-planned. But whatever the motivation it is something no-one in the room, or those looking from afar would have expected.

Hugs are something most of us take for granted. You see them all the time at railway stations, airports, pubs and sports stadia.

A dear friend of mine used to sign her letters “love n hugs”, but unlike other cultures where hugs are part of the normal greeting process, in Britain we seem more unwilling to be publically seen giving someone we love, respect or care for, this kind of acknowledgement.

Princess Diana broke down the social barriers of Aids and HIV by making a point of holding hands and hugging patients, when others kept away.

Her son Prince Harry, who is soon to finish his military career, is a master of the art. Take the magnificent Invictus Games where he virtually hugged everyone at the closing ceremony. Quite right too.

Recent research shows hugs are not just worth having, they are vital to our fitness and wellbeing.

Hugs have been shown to be effective in healing sickness, disease, depression, loneliness, anxiety and stress.

Australian author and Yoga teacher Marcus Julian Felicetti says we need a minimum of 4 a day, we should have 8 a day, but should all aim for 12 a day!

Research shows a proper deep hug, where the hearts are pressing together, can benefit you in many proven different ways.

Hugs can instantly boost oxytocin levels, lift one's serotonin levels, strengthen the immune system, relax muscles, release tension, increase circulation... the list goes on.

Perhaps more importantly hugs teach us how to give and receive. Hugs educate us how love flows both ways.

A very good family friend is currently under going the toughest of training regimes as he aims to earn the coveted Royal Marines Green Beret.

I cannot for a moment imagine any of his sergeants or corporals would use the hug as a way of encouraging their charges to go that extra mile. Nor would the recruits expect it.

I’m not advocating senior Army officers greet their men at morning parade with a hug rather than a salute, but the Chief of the General Staff may just have started something.

I suspect Wellington or Montgomery might have blanched at the very thought, but we have moved on, even in the British Army.