The 2010 Tattoo included a section where they simulated a patrol in a middle-eastern settings and a squad of armed soldiers approached an arabic-dressed family as they do daily checked them for weapons then spoke with them.
At the dress rehearsal before the public showings this was done properly (or close to properly) and I remember thinking that it was probably a bit full-on and not very PC for the general public. Lo, when I saw it again during the paid performances the entire approach was far more fluffy.
Winning hearts and minds these days needs to be done as much with our own public as it does with those in the operational areas and public displays need to be family friendly. It is a fact.
The H&S vs fast-roping is a damned shame too but the armed forces are no longer exempt from the Health and Safety at Work Act and as this was done as part of a public display rather than for operational reasons it is understandable.
I'm happy to make sure our guys aren't unnecessarily jeopardised for a war musical so they can go and do their jobs, capture Somali pirates and protect the shipping lanes.
Incubus,
There is far too much of a twist in your explanation, I don't think damaging the reputation of H.M. Forces generally and the Marines in particular, is explained away by saying all this nonsense ensures they don't come a cropper at the Tattoo in the meantime, so that they stand a better chance of really risking their necks doing it for real later on.
FB
