The experience of security forces varied drastically in Northern Ireland. It depended on both the geography and population of the area they were based in. For example, south Armagh was known as Bandit Country for the sheer number of attacks that occurred there and the PIRA stopped British forces moving by road. They were only able to move troops on foot or by helicopter. By comparison, Newtownhamilton (NTH) in the north of the county had the troops joke that it stood for "No Terrorists Here" due to it being comparatively quieter than further south. Regardless, if you were in Armagh, you were only going out of base when on patrol. This was an experience shared by soldiers in parts of Fermanagh and Tyrone where a real siege mentality could exist for those in a platoon or company base.

Troops did socialise freely when off-duty in the early years of the Troubles in town centres in other parts of Northern Ireland though. Naturally they would not go into known republican strongholds but they'd still be allowed head into town for a few drinks when not on duty. A big change to this policy was the killing of three young Scottish soldiers from the Royal Highland Fusiliers in March 1971. They met two women in a bar who later introduced them to some more friends (IRA members). The women then lured the soldiers, telling them they were being brought to a party. The 3 soldiers were shot by the side of the road on the outskirts of Belfast.

In 1973, 3 NCOs were killed and 1 wounded in another honeytrap after being lured to a flat where armed IRA volunteers were waiting. In light of these incidents, the British Army did tighten up restrictions on off-duty activities but didn't forbid them entirely. Restrictions were tough in spots like South Armagh but looser in areas like Lisburn. The latter would be seen as a 'safe area' due to its high Protestant population but that didn't stop IRA honeytraps still hunting for soldiers to pick up. The latter would have been easily identifiable due to their accents and haircuts.

The same restrictions didn't apply to UDR members as the majority of these were reservists. They ran the risk of being killed at home or their civilian job.

Sources:

Bandit Country - Toby Harnden

The Dirty War - Martin Dillon

Testimony to Courage - John Potter