I wasn't sure about whether this was a good idea when introduced as saw it potentially could put individual under undue pressure while travelling.
In last week was travelling on a train where sat down next to a RN trainee who definitely changed my mind.
After a while started chatting to trainee asking where he serving and what was specialism.
Definitely was a credit to the service as polite, dressed properly and happy to have a decent conversation about what he hoped for in the future, course some of this would involve copious amounts of alcohol on leave but given age I think I would have expected pretty much that response from anyone of a similar age. I think the difference was he knew he would be expected to do the work while he was not on leave and look forward to it.
I have to admit to being very impressed and it was a pleasure to wish him well and shake his hand when leaving the train.
Funny thing was guy on other seat across corridor stopped and shook his hand as well and while may have embarassed the young guy I bet it made him feel proud to be wearing the uniform.
I intend to write a nice letter to respective service naming individual and highlighting what a credit he is to the service, not sure how it will go down but if it earns him brownie points then he will deserve it.