'well, you were issued warm weather uniform in 1990 - we can't possibly issue you new kit now',
I think I can better that one.
In 2002, I was posted to a "semi-representational" post in a hot country, so put in for a No 6 uniform.
No, they said, you'd been issued with the allowance and/or kit when you were posted to that part of the World before.
Yes, I said, but:
a. That was in 1970 - 32 years previously!
b. The colour had since changed from KD to Stone Grey.
c. In 1970 I was posted to the (then Persian) Gulf, where we didn't wear No6s, just Bush Jackets.
Took 2-star intervention
to get me the kit issued
on loan with the greatest reluctance. Strangest thing was, I got to keep the trousers and shirts
, cos they were "next to the skin and can't be re-issued" but had to give back the natty No 6 tunic.
I've kept the signals (remember them?) somewhere, it's such an unbelievable story......
