New CDS "leaked".

[Spaghetti_Monster]

Looks like the army have bagged the top job again:

General Sir Nick Houghton to be new chief of defence staff | UK news | The Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/mar/18/nick-houghton-chief-defence-staff)

[ex-fast-jets]

His successor as Vice Chief has been named as Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, a former fighter pilot and experienced operational commander

So - it is written - so it must be true!

[iRaven]

If the old chap is leaking, might I suggest these...

http://upload.ecvv.com/upload/Product/20123/China_L_Size_Adult_Pull_Up_Incontinence_Pants_For_Men_Of_Str etchable_Mesh_Pants312201213801AM5.jpg

[Jacks Down]

While it would have been great to see Stu Peach as CDS I think elevating the first Comd JFC to the top job might have been interpreted as a rather strong signal about JFC's place in the pecking order vis a vis the three Services, which makes some of the VSOs nervous. However, we have done well to get VCDS, which is a more influential job than any of the Service Chiefs' (plus Stu Peach doesn't get the massive pension tax hit that goes with the whacking pay rise to CDS so he has a consolation prize!).

From what I have seen of Gen Houghton he will make a good CDS, probably better than the current 1SL/CGS/CAS, so this looks to be good news all round.

[Lightning Mate]

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, a former fighter pilot

Interesting...............

http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu82/Lightning_29/Stuart_Peach_in_dress_uniform_zps69ff0b54.jpg

[Lightning Mate]

err...sorry - got the wrong bloke......

http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu82/Lightning_29/Harry_Hill_Main_zps3251263b.jpg

[Wrathmonk]

No belt either. Or is that another little known 4* only dress reg? :E

Guess he would normally be wearing a sword belt and the photog has just cropped the head and shoulders shot badly!!

Reminds me of trips down to the photo section for your "Photo In No 1's For Innsworth" mug shot.....sat with flying suit around your ankles with your No 1 jacket, blue shirt and tie on hoping that the instruction really was for a 'head and shoulders' shot only. Might explain why I didn't trouble the promotion boards too much!!!

[500N]

Question re the uniform worn by Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach
in particular the medals.

Every time that photo is posted I notice the threads / stiching above
the top row of medals that looks like someone has stitched
them on in a not so neat way.

Is that done for a reason or is it just bad mounting ?

[incubus]

They are loops of thread (with a special name that I cannot remember) which are added so that medals can be pinned through them and hung rather than piercing the material.

[Courtney Mil]

They are loops for the big pin on the back of his medals to go through.

[Lightning Mate]

He's just economising by getting his mum to do it.

[Wensleydale]

stiching above the top row of medals that looks like someone has
stitched them on in a not so neat way.



You will find that those are the loops for attaching the proper medals when needed. (The bar goes through the loops - not the uniform fabric).

I have been tempted to get a set of loops for my DJ when the dress is black tie with medals - however I have made do with the cheaper option of a few safety pins mounted upside down with the small rings holding the medal bar.

[500N]

Thanks, I had a feeling that might be what they are for.

He would wear full medals more than most !

[Backwards PLT]

Now where is that thread where we discussed the next CDS and some RN chaps seemed convinced the outgoing 1SL would get it despite pretty much everyone else sure it would be Houghton? :E

[OafOrfUxAche]

sat with flying suit around your ankles with your No 1 jacket, blue shirt and tie on hoping that the instruction really was for a 'head and shoulders' shot only. Might explain why I didn't trouble the promotion boards too much!!!


Next time, try 'bending over with flying suit and pants round the ankles' next time. Worked wonders for many...

[Finningley Boy]

My curiosity has been aroused here, the custom has been to assign one of the three outgoing Service Chiefs to the supreme Defence appointment?

This is the second time a hitherto VCDS has been appointed to succeed his immediate Line Manager?

The last time was when Field Marshal Sir Richard Vincent succeeded M.R.A.F. Sir David Craig in 1991. It was brought to my attention some time later that the reason was due to clashing personalities between the Military Chiefs and the Parliamentarians of the day. A similar and more clearly reported rift was reported in July 2008, that time Gordon Brown wasn't keen on any of the three service chiefs succeeding Sir Jock Stirrup? It would seem they weren't keen on the then VCDS either as Sir Jock was asked to, and accepted, a double shift.

Sir Jock was eventually moved out before the end of his double tour by Cameron because the new PM had been led to believe that the Army, being most heavily deployed on operations, are best at overseeing all military matters and fighting everyone's corner equally and sensibly.

Sir Max Hastings once said that the CDS should always be a Soldier, well looking back to 1994, ever since the resignation of Sir Peter Harding, it has been the case for the most part.:E

FB:)

[Secret1]

And every time this appointment comes up for discussion in The Times, Torygraph, and elsewhere, Mr Pete Harding probably wonders, ''Now, if only I had not been such a stupid boy!'':rolleyes:

[Bunker Mentality]

'They are loops of thread (with a special name that I cannot remember) which are added so that medals can be pinned through them and hung rather than piercing the material.'

They're called 'beckets'.

I hope your lives are as enhanced by this piece of knowledge as mine has been :)

[Old-Duffer]

Today's Torygraph, in confirming the CDS appointment, suggests that the new man is not popular with everybody in his own service, being described as a 'politician in uniform'. Some may recall Sir Michael Carver, who was thought to be overly 'socialist' in his leanings.

I don't know how Sir David Richards' term of office will be remembered but prior to his appointment, he was trailled as 'the great white hope' (no offence intended) but whether that was just a load of guff or whether the circumstances prevented him from doing all that was expected/hoped of him remains to be seen.

Old Duffer

[Genstabler]

whether the circumstances prevented him from doing all that was expected/hoped of him remains to be seen.
We are not party to the battles fought within the MoD and cannot know what was won and what was lost.

[teeteringhead]

I have been tempted to get a set of loops for my DJ when the dress is black tie with medals - however I have made do with the cheaper option of a few safety pins mounted upside down with the small rings holding the medal bar.

No need Wensleydale - you need one of these:

http://www.awardmedals.com/images/medal-holder-lrg.jpg?

Sturdy plastic, holes at the top for the pin, then it slips into breast pocket of the coat/jacket.

Search for "pocket medal holder" or suchlike. Cost me about £3 - a while ago - and works for miniatures on a DJ or full-size on a suit (or blazer with RAFA badge if non-commissioned! ;))

[ShyTorque]

'They are loops of thread (with a special name that I cannot remember) which are added so that medals can be pinned through them and hung rather than piercing the material.'

They're called 'beckets'.

I hope your lives are as enhanced by this piece of knowledge as mine has been

Nah, we learned about these things at school.

Terrible tale, about some top church going chap called Thomas (a Becket), getting his head done in, in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170, if I'm not mistaken. He didn't get a medal but I think he was canonised for his trouble.

[A2QFI]

The loops for the wearing of the metal medals are called Beckets ISTR, although Google + define does not come up with that answer.

I see Shy Torque posted the same answer a few minutes ago - perhaps we are both right?

[500N]

If you search for "pocket medal holder", they come up in
a couple of places, both UK, Aus and ebay in the UK.

[Wensleydale]

Thanks for the tip guys!



If you search for "pocket medal holder", they come up in a couple of places, both UK, Aus and ebay in the UK.


I also did a search on e-bay for just "medal Holder" and found a couple of identical items for much less cash!:ok:

Edited to add... the lifting loops on the aircrew life jacket are also called "Beckets". Not withstanding the earlier comments about Thomas a Beckett, it was common for medieval pilgrims to Beckett's tomb in Canterbury to buy religious medals on route to help cleanse their soul. Perhaps "Beckets" were sewn onto the pilgrims' clothing prior to the journey so that the medals could be easily attached en-route? Only guessing, but may be correct.