The unofficial 'British Army Rumour Service' (ARRSE) website with an approx 30, 000 users started in January 2002. Its 3-D virtual on-line community project through Second Life (2L) began in February 2007, and is run by three site users.

The island includes a village, memorial site and guns from vending machines

The island includes a village, memorial site and free guns in vending machines (Image: ARRSE.com)

Have things improved for the British army via 'active positive use' on 2L - for example virtual recruiting?

2L is really an adjunct to our main site. It is too early to say how successful it is. Our main site has been very successful in addressing certain issues – we have a service voting campaign, have reached the media by criticising former prime minister Tony Blair's Iraq policy in our forums, etc.

Voices against Blair

Front page headlines of The Independent, 14 October 2006 (as shown on ARRSE.com forum)

Is 2L a tool for a younger generation of soldier?

Soldiers tend to be younger in the UK. A lot of users left the Army a long time ago but want to get in touch with people in a similar situation. They seem to cope ok with the technology, but we don't get too many of them on 2L.

Any tips for other EU military communities?

I'm not aware of European equivalents but am sure they exist. To create 2L communities, you need a determined group of people who can dedicate time and effort. Running an island is expensive - ensure that you have sufficient income.

the_butler, ARRSE user from Liverpool since November 2005 (Photo: ARRSE.com)British soldiers are currently stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. The UK has significant garrisons in Germany, Cyprus, Brunei, Belize, the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar. Some soldiers are in the Balkans, whilst United Nations Observers serve with most missions

All photos: (ARRSE.com), homepage/ in-box photo: the_butler, ARRSE user from Liverpool since November 2005