No medals for MPs
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No medals for MPs
Rarely does anything make my blood boil but this one does the trick!
MPs get a campaign medal immediately they visit an area of operations - without any minimum time in theatre! Whilst there they are rarely, if ever, exposed to any real danger. It is laudable that they should go and talk with the troops and get an insight to what is actually happening but it should stop there.
On the other hand those engaged in the fighting have to serve a period - six months I am given to believe - before qualifying and then have to wait a few months more for it to be given.
It is time to stop this belittling of a token of active service. Please sign the Petition at Petition to: Stop degrading our soldiers by handing out medals to MP's. | Number10.gov.uk
Cheers
HWB
MPs get a campaign medal immediately they visit an area of operations - without any minimum time in theatre! Whilst there they are rarely, if ever, exposed to any real danger. It is laudable that they should go and talk with the troops and get an insight to what is actually happening but it should stop there.
On the other hand those engaged in the fighting have to serve a period - six months I am given to believe - before qualifying and then have to wait a few months more for it to be given.
It is time to stop this belittling of a token of active service. Please sign the Petition at Petition to: Stop degrading our soldiers by handing out medals to MP's. | Number10.gov.uk
Cheers
HWB
HWB - Are you sure about this, or is this something else you have been "given to believe"?
The qualification period for the Operation Service Medal for Afghanistan is not six months, but varies, with 30 days continuous service being the usual length of time in most cases. Service curtailed by injury or death counts for the medal.
Waiting a few months for a campaign medal is hardly worthy of comment - the issue of WW1 and WW2 campaign medals did not start until several years after the end of hostilities in both cases.
All that said, I agree that MPs shouldn't be getting a medal for flying in for a quick photo opportunity, if indeed that is happening.
The qualification period for the Operation Service Medal for Afghanistan is not six months, but varies, with 30 days continuous service being the usual length of time in most cases. Service curtailed by injury or death counts for the medal.
Waiting a few months for a campaign medal is hardly worthy of comment - the issue of WW1 and WW2 campaign medals did not start until several years after the end of hostilities in both cases.
All that said, I agree that MPs shouldn't be getting a medal for flying in for a quick photo opportunity, if indeed that is happening.
Gentleman Aviator
Was a thread on this recently IIRC. Seems they're not the real medal but a "commemorative" one, like the National Service/Cold War whatever ones you can buy from the back pages of Air Mail.
Real campaign medals are strictly controlled by BP, hence our not being able to wear the occasional bit of foreign tat on uniform.....
I may be wrong - if I am, it's unbelievably insensitive - do you have a reference halfwayback?
Real campaign medals are strictly controlled by BP, hence our not being able to wear the occasional bit of foreign tat on uniform.....
I may be wrong - if I am, it's unbelievably insensitive - do you have a reference halfwayback?
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I seem to recall a story about a working party of MP's, sponsored by the defence industry, who turn up in uniform (wearing badges of rank etc) and visit the locations as part of a fact finding group. I think the medal is awarded by their group, not by any military organisation.
Gentleman Aviator
That's more or less what I thought Army Mover. I can (just about) live with the idea of HCDC getting Honorary ranks when visiting Ops - makes it easier if they're captured!
But then I did meet one using her rank in South Wales!! Tried to search for the thread I meant but couldn't find it - I think even Sir Jock presented the baubles in question......
But then I did meet one using her rank in South Wales!! Tried to search for the thread I meant but couldn't find it - I think even Sir Jock presented the baubles in question......
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Seems in this time of cost saving - why not cut the cost of so many fact finding missions and stop the issuing of these medals.
We in Cyprus get regular MP visitors - more during the summer months for some reason.
We in Cyprus get regular MP visitors - more during the summer months for some reason.
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Originally Posted by Teetering Head
That's more or less what I thought Army Mover. I can (just about) live with the idea of HCDC getting Honorary ranks when visiting Ops - makes it easier if they're captured!
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teeteringhead
I am sure you are correct on this - commemorative only!
halfwayback; If you want your own you can design it and have it made and set your own rules as to being awarded but just like them it cannot be worn in official uniform.
I think this is linked to a story in the Torygraph from a few weeks ago; it was covered in some depth over on t'Army means.
If it is the same story, then it refers to the members of the AFPS getting a commemorative badge; it may look like a medal by dint of having a ribbon.
It is not an OSM.
So if this petition is inspired by the Torygraph story, then it is based on a false premise and is utter horlicks.
It may be, though, that it is in part inspired by a chap who is leading the campaign for the award of a 'National Defence Medal' to those who have served but who were not in receipt of a GSM or similar because they did not go on operations. Remarkably, this effort towards the 'NDM' has succeeded in
annoying members of Arrse to the point where they sympathise with the MPs involved in AFPS - and getting members of Arrse to side with any MPs these days is one hell of an achievement!
If it is the same story, then it refers to the members of the AFPS getting a commemorative badge; it may look like a medal by dint of having a ribbon.
It is not an OSM.
So if this petition is inspired by the Torygraph story, then it is based on a false premise and is utter horlicks.
It may be, though, that it is in part inspired by a chap who is leading the campaign for the award of a 'National Defence Medal' to those who have served but who were not in receipt of a GSM or similar because they did not go on operations. Remarkably, this effort towards the 'NDM' has succeeded in
annoying members of Arrse to the point where they sympathise with the MPs involved in AFPS - and getting members of Arrse to side with any MPs these days is one hell of an achievement!
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My reference for this is no more than the person who raised the petition for it to stop. Please read the additional information given at the link
I know little more than that but even a 'commemorative' one is one too many for me! It may mean little to those in the know but you can bet it will be rolled out in front of the masses by some MPs at the local Remembrance Sunday! Maybe I'm too cynical.....
TTNav
Thanks for setting the record straight regarding the qualifying period nowadays.
Archimedes
'Stacey' doesn't sound like 'a chap' - RTFR - Eureka!
HWB
I know little more than that but even a 'commemorative' one is one too many for me! It may mean little to those in the know but you can bet it will be rolled out in front of the masses by some MPs at the local Remembrance Sunday! Maybe I'm too cynical.....
TTNav
Thanks for setting the record straight regarding the qualifying period nowadays.
Archimedes
'Stacey' doesn't sound like 'a chap' - RTFR - Eureka!
HWB
HWB - I had browsed the link to the petition (whose originator seems blissfully unaware of the Elizabeth Cross, by the way) before posting.
When referring to a 'chap' I was referencing the person - most definitely male - who is leading the NDM campaign and was suggesting that the petition may have been inspired by him or his comments to the press. There is a possibility that he has a further agenda, as he is running for election to parliament against a member of the AFPS and appears to see attacking the AFPS as a potential weapon in his bid to overturn a rather large majority against him.
But my point remains - the petition is calling upon people to protest against something which doesn't actually happen. MPs do not get awarded medals just for paying a visit to Afghanistan, or before that, Iraq.
When referring to a 'chap' I was referencing the person - most definitely male - who is leading the NDM campaign and was suggesting that the petition may have been inspired by him or his comments to the press. There is a possibility that he has a further agenda, as he is running for election to parliament against a member of the AFPS and appears to see attacking the AFPS as a potential weapon in his bid to overturn a rather large majority against him.
But my point remains - the petition is calling upon people to protest against something which doesn't actually happen. MPs do not get awarded medals just for paying a visit to Afghanistan, or before that, Iraq.
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It dengrates the medals that those in the thick of it have well and truly earned and there can be absolutely NO justification in giving a medal to an MP for just a visit. It stinks, it is wrong and it is sickening. On top of that just think what the guys and girls reckon to it - they deserve better than that.
My MP will get a call in the morning that's for sure.
My MP will get a call in the morning that's for sure.
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Complex criteria govern the award of the OSM, with varying lengths of service required depending on the operation and location.
To qualify for award of the Medal with Clasp, personnel must have served in Afghanistan for either 5, 21 or 30 days continuous service between various dates depending on the operation, between 11 September 2001 – 1 August 2002 for Ops Jacana and Bandog, or to a date to be decided for Ops Veritas, Fingal and Landman.
Service of varying lengths depending on the operation on Ops Landman, Veritas, Oracle, Ramson or Damien in other Middle East countries during certain specific dates will qualify for the OSM for Afghanistan without clasp.
The OSM is a nice looking medal but I have to admit it looks a little silly with clasps. I've got 2 clasps on mine and it just doesn't seem right. In some respects its a bit of a cop out. Why not have separate campaign medals?
These MP's are not being awarded the OSM. They are being given a commemorative badge.
To qualify for award of the Medal with Clasp, personnel must have served in Afghanistan for either 5, 21 or 30 days continuous service between various dates depending on the operation, between 11 September 2001 – 1 August 2002 for Ops Jacana and Bandog, or to a date to be decided for Ops Veritas, Fingal and Landman.
Service of varying lengths depending on the operation on Ops Landman, Veritas, Oracle, Ramson or Damien in other Middle East countries during certain specific dates will qualify for the OSM for Afghanistan without clasp.
The OSM is a nice looking medal but I have to admit it looks a little silly with clasps. I've got 2 clasps on mine and it just doesn't seem right. In some respects its a bit of a cop out. Why not have separate campaign medals?
These MP's are not being awarded the OSM. They are being given a commemorative badge.
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Although I agree with the sentiment of the petition, the original post and that of PPrune Pop are incorrect and misinformed.
Vecvechookattack's post reads right to me. Shocking that Mods would post half-cocked rants, and more shocking that I am agreeing with VVHA!
Vecvechookattack's post reads right to me. Shocking that Mods would post half-cocked rants, and more shocking that I am agreeing with VVHA!
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Recommend a new medal to be minted for MPs et al.
The DDM could reflect the value to our great country of our political masters.
It of course stands for the Distinguished Disservice Medal . . .
The DDM could reflect the value to our great country of our political masters.
It of course stands for the Distinguished Disservice Medal . . .
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MPs criticised for accepting 'Mickey Mouse' medals - Telegraph
Short summary: It's an Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme (AFPS) medal awarded to MPs who have been involved - voluntarily - with HM Forces for 10+ years. Each year they must 'be involved' for at least 22 days a year, and to date only 10 have been awarded. They are commemorative and not military awards, and as such are worn on the right breast, if at all, but not intended for parades such as Remembrance Day.
Seems fairly pointless to me, but certainly quite different to the petition rant, even if MPs are all a slippery self-serving bunch of w@nkers.
Short summary: It's an Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme (AFPS) medal awarded to MPs who have been involved - voluntarily - with HM Forces for 10+ years. Each year they must 'be involved' for at least 22 days a year, and to date only 10 have been awarded. They are commemorative and not military awards, and as such are worn on the right breast, if at all, but not intended for parades such as Remembrance Day.
Seems fairly pointless to me, but certainly quite different to the petition rant, even if MPs are all a slippery self-serving bunch of w@nkers.
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So MPs get a trinket for seeing the Armed Forces at work. I'd rather they see what goes on than stay at home choosing furniture to buy on expenses, so frankly I can't see the problem.