Uniforms in Public

[Big Unit Specialist]

I have just seen details of new transport arrangements for personnel returning from operations and the advice includes the following regarding wearing of uniform (or not) on shuttle buses to railway/bus stations and airports "Troops need to wear civilian clothing on civilian transport".

This contradicts advice from the Prime Minister himself after the Peterborough uniform fiasco "Prime Minister Gordon Brown condemned the advice (not to wear uniform in Peterborough), saying the armed forces should be encouraged to wear their uniform in public and "have the respect and gratitude of the British people".

I think it is unreasonable to expect service personnel to change into civvies upon return - where has our pride in the Services gone?

[herbaceous]

I think it is even more unreasonable that our returning service personal have to rely public transport to get home.

[teeteringhead]

A thought occurs ...

..... could this (returning transport to/from airhead) be an area where the public and/or ex-service organisations could help in a practical way - rather like the East Anglian brewery that did special brews.

I know that formed units generally do OK on return, but what of the many NFU personnel, I know the light blue have many.

I'm not thinking of it being completely open for obvious security reasons (Bin Laden Minicabs anyone?), but what of RAFA/British Legion/RNA who have a much larger "footprint" geographically than the regulars, and more time to spare, and who would be very much onside.

So .... SAC/Pte/[insert RN equivalent] arrives, is met and whisked to local RAFA/Legion/RNA/Pub by paid for (or sponsored?) transport to meet family, friends and (possibly) more than 2 cans .....

After all, look what the "equivalent heroes" got on return from Beijing....

Any thoughts?

[Leaky]

Seems to be more poorly thought out rules from somebody who has obviously never been on an overseas operation. What civvy clothes? Most people have enough difficulty getting all their operational kit into the bags without thinking several months ahead about 'what should I wear when I return'!:ugh:

[Mister-T]

I have to question how much thought was actually given to this matter by those that decided so? It seems all too often nowadays that such initiatives are drawn up without proper consultation or thought.

Help for Heroes will take the hit on this unless more and more of those returning from Op tours are seen on the way home. The decision on what to wear should remain with the individual.

Such a shame that Gold Medal winners are treated so enthusiastically when those that earn a (in my view equivalent) Telic or Herrick medal do not.

[Wensleydale]

I imagine that this is just another anti-litigation device should the miniscule chance of anyone travelling in uniform be singled out for "attention". By ordering the wearing of civilian clothes, any "anti-military activity" will be the responsibility of the individual and not the MOD. I'd ignore it!

Much the same as a recent Temp Med Cat that prevented me from attending meetings abroad (Quote from the Doc after I pointed out that the USA also had hospitals and doctors should the unlikely occur: "Its so that should you need medical attention abroad then we don't have to pay for it or suffer the expense of Medivac back to the UK").

[Mr C Hinecap]

Whilst BUS has a good point, the issue of Units ensuring their personnel are properly RTU'd is a bigger issue. There should never be a time when anyone returning from Ops has to use public transport - they should be properly sorted and brought home - not sent home.

[suebob]

It is not always practical to have MT collecting individuals. When I came back from OOA to Lossie it was deemed to far to drive in a single day (not that I would have fancied 11 hrs in a car anyway after 4hrs on a plane). I was more than happy with a flt from Heathrow to Aberdeen instead, with a drop off at Heathrow by Brize MT.

On the other hand I did find the insistence from Brize that we had to travel in civvies mildly amusing as 30 odd young(ish) people with short haircuts and matching bergans, webbing and helmets, jumping out of a bus at Heathrow didn't stand out at all!!

[threeputt]

If you are outside wear a hat.....full stop. At all times however, try to look as smart as you can and create an impression to the civi's and ex-military who see you in public that you are proud of the uniform that you wear. You, the current incumbents are are the manifestation of all that is good in society and don't forget that for a minute......we ex-service personel don't. I salute you for your commitment but, all I ask is that you please don't walk around in public looking like a sack of s&*(e.

I never did, I was too proud.

3P:ok:

[exscribbler]

We should be proud of them and their achievements on our behalf and, in many cases, at great personal cost.

No, this is not about the Heroes of Beijing but the Heroes of the Falklands, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan and other unpleasant and dangerous places too numerous to mention.

Of course they should wear their uniforms of which they are so proud - then we can show them how proud we are of them.

[muttywhitedog]

With the amount of buggeration, delays, and general hanging around in dusty air terminals with little or no facilities, it is very hard to remain clean and tidy.

Personally, after often up to 48hrs in the same desert combats, on returning to Brize, I am desperate to get changed, just to feel slightly clean and less "warry", and usually get changed in the gateway before travelling home.