MoD to issue "veterans badge" to service leavers.
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MoD to issue "veterans badge" to service leavers.
Is it just me or do you guys find the concept of being given a Blue Peter style badge when you leave the RAF, which is supposedly a "thank you and well done for giving us the best years of your life (tri-service style)" reward offensive??????
Apparently Mr Caplin and Buff Hoon think it is a great idea. Personally, I think it's an insult.
If there should be something to show recognition of service. it should be a struck medal for service in the RAF, be it one month or 40 years.
Thoughts please on what i think is an emotive subject.
Thanks,
Exleckie.
Apparently Mr Caplin and Buff Hoon think it is a great idea. Personally, I think it's an insult.
If there should be something to show recognition of service. it should be a struck medal for service in the RAF, be it one month or 40 years.
Thoughts please on what i think is an emotive subject.
Thanks,
Exleckie.
Last edited by exleckie; 26th Apr 2005 at 21:36.
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Mmmmmmmmmmm. Was a study done (i think) a few years ago by the wife of that fine doctor made famous by the war down south. Basically said that after doing nothing other than passing basic training you get flags flying, family attending, parades etc etc! After 20 years and a couple of wars etc etc you get some scrote asking for your id card and telling you to fark off in a politeish way - if you are lucky!!
Sounds like some pathetic attempt to solve this problem - maybe, mind you i would rather have a blue peter presenter!!!!
Sounds like some pathetic attempt to solve this problem - maybe, mind you i would rather have a blue peter presenter!!!!
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Consolation for redundancy, get a grip Max Stout, that comes in the form of a payout that for many will hit six figures.
So the badge, something to hand on to the grand children.
SH
So the badge, something to hand on to the grand children.
SH
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Yeh, R3
You get nought apart from a "we've gotcha" parade for some.
There are so many people, who leave the Force with nothing to show that they have have served, that I really believe that something other than a badge should be issued. i.e a medal of service recognition.
(incidentally, I have campaign medals etc, just thinking about the guys that get nothing).
Example, compare the medals of a techie at Brize or Lyneham to the medals of a techie on Tonkas. Everyone has contributed to the greater effort but only the guys n gals who have been in theatre have something to show for it. Yet the GnG at the aforementioned stations put in a lot of effort and get nothing.
Its about time that people on short engagements, both airmen and officers alike have their service recognised. I am not talking about giving medals away to the people who haven't served in theatre, just a medal to recognise their contribution.
Exleckie
You get nought apart from a "we've gotcha" parade for some.
There are so many people, who leave the Force with nothing to show that they have have served, that I really believe that something other than a badge should be issued. i.e a medal of service recognition.
(incidentally, I have campaign medals etc, just thinking about the guys that get nothing).
Example, compare the medals of a techie at Brize or Lyneham to the medals of a techie on Tonkas. Everyone has contributed to the greater effort but only the guys n gals who have been in theatre have something to show for it. Yet the GnG at the aforementioned stations put in a lot of effort and get nothing.
Its about time that people on short engagements, both airmen and officers alike have their service recognised. I am not talking about giving medals away to the people who haven't served in theatre, just a medal to recognise their contribution.
Exleckie
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How about a nice engraved watch?
I don't have any particular view on this next bit, but I believe that in some previous threads on here it was suggested that a retired serviceman's ID card would help - I think the Americans have something similar. Not quite sure what they want to do with them, but I guess the Americans perhaps give their veterans access to on-base facilities?
STH
I don't have any particular view on this next bit, but I believe that in some previous threads on here it was suggested that a retired serviceman's ID card would help - I think the Americans have something similar. Not quite sure what they want to do with them, but I guess the Americans perhaps give their veterans access to on-base facilities?
STH
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The American system of support to their Veterans is totally beyond anything the UK can offer. On base they have, particularly in CONUS, the BX and Commissary for shopping which all veterans are entitled to use. Don't see much appeal in the SPAR shop. Veterans can also use facilities such as the Hale Koa (Sp?) a 4 Star hotel on Wakiki Beach owned and run by the military at subsidised rates. US veterans also have access to educational and medical facilities.
We can't look after our serving troops never mind our Veterans.
The badge is an insult, and also one you have to opt out of in your paperwork from Handbrake House. So it will no doubt appear to be a success because folks won't be bothered to take the opt out route.
Really does
me off.
We can't look after our serving troops never mind our Veterans.
The badge is an insult, and also one you have to opt out of in your paperwork from Handbrake House. So it will no doubt appear to be a success because folks won't be bothered to take the opt out route.
Really does
me off.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Where do I get my badge?
For a year or so WWII veterans got the badge. In January this was extended to their widows. I am not sure if this meant recent widows or war-time widows.
These old boys, and some girls, now attend regular commemoration services for the fallen. In my case we have joined them on an annual pilgrimage for the last 10 years. Many other 'civilians' accompany them too. A veterans badge for retired servicemen, worn at such occasions, lets them see that soldiering did not stop in 1945 and that today's soldiers share their sorry as much as they do.
By wearing a badge we show our presence.
For a year or so WWII veterans got the badge. In January this was extended to their widows. I am not sure if this meant recent widows or war-time widows.
These old boys, and some girls, now attend regular commemoration services for the fallen. In my case we have joined them on an annual pilgrimage for the last 10 years. Many other 'civilians' accompany them too. A veterans badge for retired servicemen, worn at such occasions, lets them see that soldiering did not stop in 1945 and that today's soldiers share their sorry as much as they do.
By wearing a badge we show our presence.
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Coming up to 30 years service and looking forward to the nice letter from the AOC, gold clock, big ceremony to mark this great occasion. Sorry there I was dreaming again, get on with the job it's expected!
Nearly a year after leaving, I have recently received my letter from the AOC thanking me for my valuable service on, amongst other things, VC10s. So flying down the back a few times on the Washington shuttle obviously counts for something. Can I retrospecyively enter it in my log book?
Yes, Him
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I believe French Veterens have a discreet lapel badge which entitles them to discounts on public transport amongst other things.
Can't see the Missus being impressed with shopping in a NAAFI, whatever the discount.
Can't see the Missus being impressed with shopping in a NAAFI, whatever the discount.
Discharged yesterday.
Suffice to say that I politely declined the offer of an "HM Forces" badge - talk about a weeping discharge?
The Cclerk was ashamed to offer the application form!!!
Atleast I left the station laughing, knowing that I had made the right decision if the powers that be seriously think that such an innitiative was a valid idea.
Bon Voyage
Suffice to say that I politely declined the offer of an "HM Forces" badge - talk about a weeping discharge?
The Cclerk was ashamed to offer the application form!!!
Atleast I left the station laughing, knowing that I had made the right decision if the powers that be seriously think that such an innitiative was a valid idea.
Bon Voyage
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Such a badge has been available to all who served in HM Forces, in any rank, for many years.
It's the British Legion lapel badge. Only a couple of pounds (might even have been free when I joined), and quite discrete, as it's about 1" high by 0.5" wide.
It's the British Legion lapel badge. Only a couple of pounds (might even have been free when I joined), and quite discrete, as it's about 1" high by 0.5" wide.
Last edited by airborne_artist; 27th Apr 2005 at 13:08.
Handed in my ID card today at Culdrose after 35 yrs RAF/FAA most of them at Culdrose.
Like with EESDL, the LWtr who saw me off the premises was clearly embarrassed about offering me a badge - I politely declined.
I did get get a chance to wave to the Captain as I drove past him on his daily jog; don't think he saw me though, cheers Mike.
Oh, the NBCD section did say I could keep my AR5 haversack and dogtags, so I have something to remind me of the good times.
Cheers team.
Like with EESDL, the LWtr who saw me off the premises was clearly embarrassed about offering me a badge - I politely declined.
I did get get a chance to wave to the Captain as I drove past him on his daily jog; don't think he saw me though, cheers Mike.
Oh, the NBCD section did say I could keep my AR5 haversack and dogtags, so I have something to remind me of the good times.
Cheers team.
Never mind the badge, my Dad's still waiting on his Suez medal. (MY uncle got his...and died 3 weeks later )
Methinks this is just a scam by Bliar and Buffhoon to get the public and some of the military back on his side
Methinks this is just a scam by Bliar and Buffhoon to get the public and some of the military back on his side
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This whole issue seems to have raised many different emotions and feelings towards recognition of service.
Does anyone think that a medal should be struck for general RAF service.
Would a campaign for such a medal bear fruit or just be a complete jaffa???????
Thoughts please
Exleckie
Does anyone think that a medal should be struck for general RAF service.
Would a campaign for such a medal bear fruit or just be a complete jaffa???????
Thoughts please
Exleckie