Originally Posted by
Herod
I've got two clasps on my GSM. One for South Arabia, one for Northern Ireland. Come Remembrance Sunday, and I feel almost guilty wearing them. In Aden, I was swanning around in my helicopter, occasionally getting a bit of ground fire, while the PBI were patrolling the likes of Crater, Ma'ala etc. In N.I., right at the beginning we were just patrolling the border. Later in that little conflict the PBI were down the Bogside or Falls Road. We all got the same medal, but those guys earned it. I'm not sure I did. Just saying.
And that’s what irks me with th current system a little Herod. You don’t think you’ve earned them, but you clearly have otherwise you wouldn’t have them under our rather parsimonious system. I know it’s the military way to have had the hardest/ most uncomfortable / dangerous tour ever, and anyone who didn’t was clearly malingering in Stores whilst their laundry went forward, but those days are over, and thankfully we are now starting to recognise operational service that has value and contributes to U.K. national objectives. Yes there will be the odd tour here and there that people luck into, swan around for a bit and a medal comes up with the rations, but they are the exception and for the most part of you get a campaign medal it’s because you’ve played a part in moving the proverbial drinks cabinet that bit closer to the objective. As my CO said in Helmand in 06 when I was in JHF(A) - whatever you do, know you’re involved in writing history.
Living in a puddle for 9 months, getting bayoneted at least once a week whilst storming gun positions before breakfast just isn’t how we do warfare anymore and this is what this - hopefully precedent settting - change recognises. Wear your gongs with pride. Having served on the SH Force as a JO I know damn well you’ve earned them.