Originally Posted by
Asturias56
But we don't fight people on the parade ground (well....)
There's something in these points, there are plenty of images from the Second World War particularly, Fighter pilots wearing part civilian clothes, paisely, diced and polka dot cravats etc. Then yes, the LDPG, as the SAS originally were, with their beards and vagabond appearance, there was a reason for the latter and somehow the former just seemed to make the image of the steely eyed Ace. But none of them would look like that on parade, only in their place of work where the circumstances weren't so much accommodating as demanding. If you've ever seen, and I'm sure many of you have, at least once, the old 1960 film, Tunes of Glory. There is the current acting up CO, Lt Col Sinclair (Alec Guiness) and his definitve replacement, Lt Col Barrow (John Mills). The former maintains his selection of regimental traditions, Whisky drinking champoin and qualified piper etc. He's also up from the ranks, Barlinnie, Boy Piper and wartime commission with a DSO and an MM to go with all his campaign medals. His replacement Barrow, Eton and Oxford, Sandhurst from the start, expert on Jungle warfare, Sandhurst lecturer and spent most of the war as a POW having been surrendered in Singapore. He has no gallantry awards, but through no fault of his own.
The first half hour of the film sees Barrow accompanied by Sinclair and others inspecting the Battalion and finding faults with improperly dressed bandsmen, Tam o'Shanters instead of the regulation Glengarry., tardy training periods and worst of all a rancorious dance by the officers on his arrival. Sinclair tries to interject with, well we have a wee tradition in this regiment Colonel, I let the band wear pretty much much as they like, as was common during the war. The last sentence says it all, ponderous dress regulations went out the window, there just wasn;t the time or really the facilities to try and enforce parade ground regulations. This was the difference between troops in the field and those in peacetime with a different order of proceedings. But this is all different to now, the choice of hair length and grooming as depicted in the photo of the Sergeant, shows someone going out of his way to shove to fingers up at the past and the long standing culture and traditions of,military service. As has been said by CheekyChimp, I don't actually believe that even Wigston really wants this, but that he feels, as pr00ne implied, its the only way to retain skilled people. Therefore, Wigston, who certainly wasn't brought up in an RAF which reflects the one he seems to have attempted to cultivate, has pursued a path of what he sees as mere practicalities, if we are to maintain a standing Navy/Marines, Army and Air Force at all.
FB