Originally Posted by
Gainesy
Some civvy misconceptions I've noted over the years--some as recent as last week*. Some are totally wrong, some are mixing up what used to be with present practice or US practice. Most civvies are astonished when put right.
Food and accom is free.
MQs/hirings (or whatever they are called this week) are free.
Forces don't pay Income Tax.
Forces don't pay Income Tax when deployed on Ops.*
Duty free booze/tobacco can be bought on Service bases.*
Fuel on base service stations is duty free.
Rail/air travel within UK is free.
No TV licence required.
If you get a medal then you receive a £500 annuity.
Laugh or cry?
The most recent one I had was actually from a civvy friend's mother who was adamant that because I flew I
had to be in the RAF, and no amount of argument was going to convice her that I am actually RN. I believe she even went as far as to suggest that I must be mistaken as to which Service I was in. (I've never been
that drunk!)
Now I know that RN
PR is not always the best in the world, but when you're fighting this level of ignorance, it can't be easy!