New rules aim to stamp out bullying, racism and sexism in the armed forces

"Punishment" is no longer an appropriate word in Britain's armed forces and careful consideration must be given to whether condoms should be made available to recruits, senior officers said yesterday after a radical and comprehensive overhaul of the training system.

A package of reforms containing 13 major and 57 minor recommendations is intended to change the culture of the services and attempt to stamp out bullying, racism and sexism.

Lieutenant-General Anthony Palmer, the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Personnel), said the measures were also designed to cut the drop-out rate among new recruits. "They come to us with little deference or respect. If a corporal shouts at them, they say 'Stuff you. I'm on my way.' They get on the mobile and Mum picks them up," he said.

Under the new rules recruits to the forces are to be guaranteed access to confidential welfare. A training "covenant" setting out the obligations of the training system will be introduced.

The review was commissioned last October by the Armed Forces minister, Adam Ingram, who insisted it was not directly linked to the deaths of four young soldiers at the Deepcut barracks in Surrey, which are currently the subject of police investigation.

The report states: "The death of a son or daughter is often the most decisive moment of parents' lives and in the past parents have had, in some instances, to deal with a monolithic, impersonal bureaucracy that has proved insensitive and clumsy."

Senior officers said they accepted that the shake-up reflected the changing attitudes of young people joining the forces. "I don't believe that we are turning out namby- pambies," said the Vice-Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Anthony Bagnall. "Youngsters of today are different. They are less committed to a long-term career, they are more materialistic, better educated and more questioning, and therefore they need a different type of leadership." While discipline was essential, he said that did not mean "punishment". He added "In my view 'punishment' is not a word that is appropriate in today's Armed Forces."

The report found there was "inconsistency and confusion" over the "no touching" rule between the sexes while on duty.

Sir Anthony said: "When you put young, red-blooded boys and girls together they tend to form relationships. If recruit A goes to location A and finds there are condoms available, and recruit B goes to location B and discovers there are not condom machines, we have to ask, what is the best practice?"

The review expressed concern that in some establishments arbitrary penalties – euphemistically termed "additional incentive training" – such as extra physical exercises were imposed by instructors without the sanction of the higher chain of command.

It also warned against the over-reliance of officers on their NCOs – sergeants and corporals – without the necessary supervisory checks and safeguards being in place.