Uniform at UK airports
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Now just think what the Sun would make of this:
"Bliar ashamed of our Squaddies - orders them not to be seen in uniform at civi airports".
Hope somebody points the editor to this thread...
"Bliar ashamed of our Squaddies - orders them not to be seen in uniform at civi airports".
Hope somebody points the editor to this thread...
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Emptying the litter bin
Age: 65
Posts: 409
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Sorry to say but when a bl
y footballer handing his tapes in, is more improtant to the BBC/ITN than 2 military personnell dying in Afghanistan. You just know the country has gone to rat sh t
Tried explaining to work matees why I was so peed off about it and all i got was ' calm down, thats what they get pad to do'
I gave up after that
y footballer handing his tapes in, is more improtant to the BBC/ITN than 2 military personnell dying in Afghanistan. You just know the country has gone to rat sh t Tried explaining to work matees why I was so peed off about it and all i got was ' calm down, thats what they get pad to do'
I gave up after that
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: The GREAT North West
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
did any one ever see the set up our american friends had at incirlik?? awesome!! morale tents ( thought they were something that you wouldn't tell the wife about at first!) free calls home, the usual food court type of stuff, and beer so cheap they were almost giving it away! strange that the said americans frequented our bar most nights!!!
i think the way our troops get treated here is disgraceful! the politics of what's going on does not matter in my eyes as the boys and girls don't have a choice in the matter and are paying dearly!!! i had a house party a while ago here and one of the neighbours wives was rattling on..." this is wrong, that is wrong, they shouldn't be there etc etc...." she was asked politely to leave!
i've been out of the mob now for nearly a decade and look back on how the world has changed, and how I was LUCKY to visit some great places around the world on detachment, but now the places don't seem at all fun, and surely never a party that my trips were!!!
i was at red flag one year and a few of us decided to visit LA on our long weekend, fantastic trip.... we even got 'twofers' on the flights!!!! dirt cheap accomodation in LA and taxi drivers that were simply in awe of the BRITISH MILITARY.... forces discount in all the eateries we visited etc etc .... my point being if you ever...and believe me i tried once or twice to see the reaction.. asked for forces discount in this country, you were looked at like some sort of criminal!!
i myself would applaud forces arriving back in blighty like it were second nature, even it i was in a packed terminal and no-one else bothered!!
these boys and girls are some of the most sincere, bravest, professional people in the world, they deserve that respect....
sorry to go on but my wife always makes a point that nothing will stop me from paying my respects on rememberance sunday! and tells everyone....
my worry is that the little kids are going to grow up and just not realise what people are sacrificing on a daily basis.....
will leave it at that, but am happy to discuss anything.....
J6T
i think the way our troops get treated here is disgraceful! the politics of what's going on does not matter in my eyes as the boys and girls don't have a choice in the matter and are paying dearly!!! i had a house party a while ago here and one of the neighbours wives was rattling on..." this is wrong, that is wrong, they shouldn't be there etc etc...." she was asked politely to leave!
i've been out of the mob now for nearly a decade and look back on how the world has changed, and how I was LUCKY to visit some great places around the world on detachment, but now the places don't seem at all fun, and surely never a party that my trips were!!!
i was at red flag one year and a few of us decided to visit LA on our long weekend, fantastic trip.... we even got 'twofers' on the flights!!!! dirt cheap accomodation in LA and taxi drivers that were simply in awe of the BRITISH MILITARY.... forces discount in all the eateries we visited etc etc .... my point being if you ever...and believe me i tried once or twice to see the reaction.. asked for forces discount in this country, you were looked at like some sort of criminal!!
i myself would applaud forces arriving back in blighty like it were second nature, even it i was in a packed terminal and no-one else bothered!!
these boys and girls are some of the most sincere, bravest, professional people in the world, they deserve that respect....
sorry to go on but my wife always makes a point that nothing will stop me from paying my respects on rememberance sunday! and tells everyone....
my worry is that the little kids are going to grow up and just not realise what people are sacrificing on a daily basis.....
will leave it at that, but am happy to discuss anything.....
J6T
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: England
Posts: 964
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Was having a beer in RAF Garrison Carterton the other night. Two young squaddies came in to the pub in uniform.They had missed their flight because of traffic (they were in MT) and had to wait until the following day, so quite rightly before going off to the Sandpit for the Third or Fourth time, they decided to go out for a beer. They did not have any Civvies available to them.
When they came to the bar to order a beer, they were asked to leave because uniform is not allowed in the bar?? I could not help but intervene and explained a few facts of life to the barman who said this was a ruling from Brize for security. Security for what? 80% of the people in the two pubs in Carterton are military, ex-military or Civvies working for the military. I pointed out that with the money the pubs take from servicemen and women that in the unusual event a squaddie is stranded with no civvies, about to go off and run the gauntlet yet again that the landlord should give a free pint to all of those departing who come in for a pre-deployment refreshment. They would have none of it, they backed down on the uniform issue and i bought the lads their beer all night.
I have experienced the amazing warmth and hospitality afforded to US servicemen by their country, for the British Armed forces it is just a Joke.
Mmmm now what was that poem i once saw on PPRuNE about nobody wanting soldiers until its time to fight, and then when they do, please do it in the background because nobody really wants to know as long as everyone is safe in their beds?? I know somebody on here will have it or a link to it.
I am going to forward the link to the advert above to David Cameron (Our MP)
and see what he says. Why didnt we have an advert like that during all commercial breaks for the world cup??
This is a link to more from the people that did the commercial above. Just click on any state. Do Alton Towers do this?? http://www.herosalute.com/
When they came to the bar to order a beer, they were asked to leave because uniform is not allowed in the bar?? I could not help but intervene and explained a few facts of life to the barman who said this was a ruling from Brize for security. Security for what? 80% of the people in the two pubs in Carterton are military, ex-military or Civvies working for the military. I pointed out that with the money the pubs take from servicemen and women that in the unusual event a squaddie is stranded with no civvies, about to go off and run the gauntlet yet again that the landlord should give a free pint to all of those departing who come in for a pre-deployment refreshment. They would have none of it, they backed down on the uniform issue and i bought the lads their beer all night.
I have experienced the amazing warmth and hospitality afforded to US servicemen by their country, for the British Armed forces it is just a Joke.
Mmmm now what was that poem i once saw on PPRuNE about nobody wanting soldiers until its time to fight, and then when they do, please do it in the background because nobody really wants to know as long as everyone is safe in their beds?? I know somebody on here will have it or a link to it.
I am going to forward the link to the advert above to David Cameron (Our MP)
and see what he says. Why didnt we have an advert like that during all commercial breaks for the world cup??
This is a link to more from the people that did the commercial above. Just click on any state. Do Alton Towers do this?? http://www.herosalute.com/
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: The GREAT North West
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
good on you 'tigs'... interestingly did anyone else 'help' you out with convincing the barman??? places like that would only learn one way.....
" the bars empty tonight frank!... yes it has been every night since we barred them scruffy squaddies!"
nice to know that i'm not alone in my old age developing my 'military victor meldrew' attitude
regards
J6T
" the bars empty tonight frank!... yes it has been every night since we barred them scruffy squaddies!"
nice to know that i'm not alone in my old age developing my 'military victor meldrew' attitude
regards
J6T
Join Date: May 2006
Location: london
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tigs would this be the one you refer to:
Tommy by Rudyard Kipling back in 1890
I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o' beer,
The publican 'e up an' sez, 'We serve no erd-coats 'ere.'
The girls be'ind the bar they laughed and giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again, an' to myself sez I:
Oh, it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' 'Tommy, go away':
But it's 'Thank you, Mister Atkins,' when the band begins to play -
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
Oh, it's 'Thank you, Mister Atkins,' when the band begins to play.
I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls,
But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls!
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' 'Tommy, wait outside';
But it's 'Special train for Atkins' when the trooper's on the tide -
The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide,
Oh, it's 'Special train for Atkins' when the trooper's on the tide.
Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap;
An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit.
Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' 'Tommy, 'ow's yer soul?'
But it's 'Thin red line of 'eroes' when the drums begin to roll -
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
Oh, it's 'Thin red line of 'eroes when the drums begin to roll.
We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;
While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that , an' 'Tommy, fall be'ind,'
But it's 'Please to walk in front, sir,' when there's trouble in the wind -
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
Oh, it's 'Please to walk in front, sir,' when there's trouble in the wind.
You talk o' better food for us, an' schools, an' fires, an' all:
We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace.
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' 'Chuck him out, the brute!'
But it's 'Saviour of 'is country' when the guns begin to shoot;
An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please;
An' Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool - you bet that Tommy sees!
Tommy by Rudyard Kipling back in 1890
I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o' beer,
The publican 'e up an' sez, 'We serve no erd-coats 'ere.'
The girls be'ind the bar they laughed and giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again, an' to myself sez I:
Oh, it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' 'Tommy, go away':
But it's 'Thank you, Mister Atkins,' when the band begins to play -
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
Oh, it's 'Thank you, Mister Atkins,' when the band begins to play.
I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls,
But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls!
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' 'Tommy, wait outside';
But it's 'Special train for Atkins' when the trooper's on the tide -
The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide,
Oh, it's 'Special train for Atkins' when the trooper's on the tide.
Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap;
An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit.
Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' 'Tommy, 'ow's yer soul?'
But it's 'Thin red line of 'eroes' when the drums begin to roll -
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
Oh, it's 'Thin red line of 'eroes when the drums begin to roll.
We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;
While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that , an' 'Tommy, fall be'ind,'
But it's 'Please to walk in front, sir,' when there's trouble in the wind -
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
Oh, it's 'Please to walk in front, sir,' when there's trouble in the wind.
You talk o' better food for us, an' schools, an' fires, an' all:
We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace.
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' 'Chuck him out, the brute!'
But it's 'Saviour of 'is country' when the guns begin to shoot;
An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please;
An' Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool - you bet that Tommy sees!
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: England
Posts: 964
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
greycoat
Thats the one - how quick was that response
. Awesome thanks.
it says it all really about this country's attitudes.
J6T
Nobody else chipped in i am afraid, but now you've got me wishing i had used the line ' I dont bloody belieeeeeve it' whilst explaining to the barman.
Found another link here http://www.shortfamilyonline.com/lif...ves/000645.php
Its quite a nice tale of what one family experienced at Sea World in terms of the tribute to all servicemen and women. I wish i had been there. Does anyone know if they still do this?? I also had problems with the first link to the ad. There is a good link on this page.
Thats the one - how quick was that response
. Awesome thanks.it says it all really about this country's attitudes.
J6T
Nobody else chipped in i am afraid, but now you've got me wishing i had used the line ' I dont bloody belieeeeeve it' whilst explaining to the barman.
Found another link here http://www.shortfamilyonline.com/lif...ves/000645.php
Its quite a nice tale of what one family experienced at Sea World in terms of the tribute to all servicemen and women. I wish i had been there. Does anyone know if they still do this?? I also had problems with the first link to the ad. There is a good link on this page.
Last edited by Tigs2; 3rd Jul 2006 at 18:26.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: The GREAT North West
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
you SHOULD send that link to alton towers! they may take you up on it!
they have been hired out for a muslim holiday according to the 'sun', so they may actually fancy the idea.... a forces day.... ID cards admit 2 adults 2 children (lets not forget they suffer equally when dad/mum is away!)
you could be onto something tigs.....
ps you are editting quicker than i can post..... how does it go again?
" i don't bloody belieeeeeeeve it!!"
they have been hired out for a muslim holiday according to the 'sun', so they may actually fancy the idea.... a forces day.... ID cards admit 2 adults 2 children (lets not forget they suffer equally when dad/mum is away!)
you could be onto something tigs.....
ps you are editting quicker than i can post..... how does it go again?
" i don't bloody belieeeeeeeve it!!"
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: East Midlands
Age: 84
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Uniform worn in public
I see enough airmen and squaddies around the local Sainsburys in uniform but not wearing headgear. Why should a civil airport be different? The Government isn't proud of its Armed Forces and the public are hardly aware of them. They are more likely to be shot in uniform in the sandpit(s) than when they are going about their business in UK. If they are shot at in an airport then it shows security is slack IMHO.
Thought police antagonist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Where I always have been...firmly in the real world
Posts: 1,372
Received 117 Likes
on
84 Posts
Sadly, I would suggest this attitude is a sorry legacy from, and "hollow victory" 
for the efforts of the "darling boys" At one time, personnel in uniform were a common sight. Then, as we all know, wearing uniforms off base ( more or less ) became a no-no due to the security threat. Fair enough. However, in the interim, before the order was rescinded, a couple of generations grew up without a clue as to whom / what the Armed Forces do or look like---other than on the TV news of course. And lets be honest here, unless you live in the vicinity of an RAF base, Garrison town or Naval establishment, a significant proportion of the UK population never see Service personnel---no more air shows, open days, few recruiting tours-if any. Consequently, the role and status of the Armed Forces has now been diminished ( aided and abetted by a collection of that you wouldn't really be able to distinguish from the bio-regradeable version produced by dogs --other than by the aroma of hypocritical political angst of course ) to the extent that, whilst the security issue is a valid reason, it is now much more a reflection on our "society" that they would prefer the status of a footballer to be prominent in their minds than the Armed Forces.
Just how long does it actually take to deplane and transit "xx" amount of troops through a civvy airport---with a bit of planning and co-operation from all involved I wonder ? . As for the lack of discount for Service personnel, well again, it reflects the fact that many simply have no idea as to what and whom they are dealing with.
And of course, said operators are more than happy to "entertain" p££ed up chavs and yobbos on their way to Ibeeza or Ibeefa (depending upon the standard of literacy achieved during their one day or so per week at school as to how it's pronounced of course) yet are twitchy about the short term presence of UK Armed Forces. Not much in the way of ££'s to be made out of them after all !!----
I suppose it would be too much to hope that somebody within the PR Depts of the various Services actually recognises an opportunity to positively promote their purpose and those who serve in such?.
Sorry about the rant----just a get a shade p££sed off when I read about this sort of attitude.
for the efforts of the "darling boys" At one time, personnel in uniform were a common sight. Then, as we all know, wearing uniforms off base ( more or less ) became a no-no due to the security threat. Fair enough. However, in the interim, before the order was rescinded, a couple of generations grew up without a clue as to whom / what the Armed Forces do or look like---other than on the TV news of course. And lets be honest here, unless you live in the vicinity of an RAF base, Garrison town or Naval establishment, a significant proportion of the UK population never see Service personnel---no more air shows, open days, few recruiting tours-if any. Consequently, the role and status of the Armed Forces has now been diminished ( aided and abetted by a collection of that you wouldn't really be able to distinguish from the bio-regradeable version produced by dogs --other than by the aroma of hypocritical political angst of course ) to the extent that, whilst the security issue is a valid reason, it is now much more a reflection on our "society" that they would prefer the status of a footballer to be prominent in their minds than the Armed Forces. Just how long does it actually take to deplane and transit "xx" amount of troops through a civvy airport---with a bit of planning and co-operation from all involved I wonder ? . As for the lack of discount for Service personnel, well again, it reflects the fact that many simply have no idea as to what and whom they are dealing with.
And of course, said operators are more than happy to "entertain" p££ed up chavs and yobbos on their way to Ibeeza or Ibeefa (depending upon the standard of literacy achieved during their one day or so per week at school as to how it's pronounced of course) yet are twitchy about the short term presence of UK Armed Forces. Not much in the way of ££'s to be made out of them after all !!----
I suppose it would be too much to hope that somebody within the PR Depts of the various Services actually recognises an opportunity to positively promote their purpose and those who serve in such?.
Sorry about the rant----just a get a shade p££sed off when I read about this sort of attitude.
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: England
Posts: 964
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
facsimilie
Thanks, my girlie is in Afghanistan and i would love to take her there on her return (it would be worth the flights and the time just to see her face). Thanks. (are you in the service? If so i hope you stood up and took the applause)
J6T
have sent the three links and an explanatory letter to the whole of the Tussauds group. Lets see what happens (I wont hold my breath), also to David Cameron MP..
Thanks, my girlie is in Afghanistan and i would love to take her there on her return (it would be worth the flights and the time just to see her face). Thanks. (are you in the service? If so i hope you stood up and took the applause)
J6T
have sent the three links and an explanatory letter to the whole of the Tussauds group. Lets see what happens (I wont hold my breath), also to David Cameron MP..
Last edited by Tigs2; 3rd Jul 2006 at 19:57.
Join Date: May 2004
Location: uk
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tigs2, Was in the military many years ago, we may slate the Americans for many things but the way they treat their military is quite humbling. Perhaps they learnt their lesson after Vietnam.
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Lincs
Posts: 695
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, you can say what you like about the Americans, but the fact is that their servicemen and women are held in high esteem, Unlike here in the UK, where they are treated like (and regarded as) second class citizens.
Its well known that refugees and asylum seekers in this country are now treated infinately better than our military folk.
Shame on us all for allowing it to be so.
The saddest part is tho' that none of our very senior officers have got the balls to stand up and say NO!! Come on CAS, CDS and all the others, stand up and be counted and tell the politicians that you are NOT prepared to have YOUR men and women treated in such a disgraceful and shameful manner.
TSM
Its well known that refugees and asylum seekers in this country are now treated infinately better than our military folk.
Shame on us all for allowing it to be so.
The saddest part is tho' that none of our very senior officers have got the balls to stand up and say NO!! Come on CAS, CDS and all the others, stand up and be counted and tell the politicians that you are NOT prepared to have YOUR men and women treated in such a disgraceful and shameful manner.
TSM
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Had cause to take the young 4fs to the dentist in a town not far from the home of the British Army. I was in uniform, wore a hat and believe I am always smart. My sons could not believe the looks of either bewilderment or disdain I received. I walked 2" taller and returned the looks of those who choose to stare. Very very sad 
Gender Faculty Specialist
As a civvy truckie, whose old man was RAF fast jets for nigh on 25 years, I can certainly understand the pride with which you should be allowed to wear your uniforms. ESPECIALLY in public.
TSM. I think those members of the public who have got any brains, hopefully me!, certainly do not regard you as 2nd class citizens. I have many friends in the RAF, and I grew up in that community, unfortunately for medical reasons I could not join it. I am rightfully proud of them, and you.
I don't own an airport But if I did I'd be buying!
Keep up the good work
Cheers
Chesty
PS Blair you are an ignorant c**t. Get a spine like the boys and girls who defend your country
TSM. I think those members of the public who have got any brains, hopefully me!, certainly do not regard you as 2nd class citizens. I have many friends in the RAF, and I grew up in that community, unfortunately for medical reasons I could not join it. I am rightfully proud of them, and you.
I don't own an airport
But if I did I'd be buying!Keep up the good work
Cheers
Chesty
PS Blair you are an ignorant c**t. Get a spine like the boys and girls who defend your country
Join Date: May 2006
Location: East Anglia
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Humble taxpayer makes further comment
Un- bl dy believable !!!
Who are the idiots who make up these rules ? Probably some civil-servant I expect, God forbid that an Officer in H M Services would be responsible !
Personally, I think uniforms should be worn with pride in our Chav State.
This policy is an insult to service personnel returning from active service who have probably used up their 'baggage allowance' just for essential kit and I doubt that many of them have suitable accomodation to keep decent civvy kit for the return journey.
Absolutely pathetic. 'nuf said
dy believable !!!Who are the idiots who make up these rules ? Probably some civil-servant I expect, God forbid that an Officer in H M Services would be responsible !
Personally, I think uniforms should be worn with pride in our Chav State.
This policy is an insult to service personnel returning from active service who have probably used up their 'baggage allowance' just for essential kit and I doubt that many of them have suitable accomodation to keep decent civvy kit for the return journey.
Absolutely pathetic. 'nuf said
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I put this thread here because I was pretty horrified by the notion that personnel in British military uniform would not be welcome at UK airports. People arriving from abroad will see heavily armed police in uniform as a security deterrent, but the military it seems are persona non grata in their own country unless it is at the annual remembrance service.
The guys who arrived at the same time as me from theatre were reduced to washing and cleaning themselves in the arrivals lounge toilets at Bzn as there were 'no shower facilities available to them' (gateway house anyone?). I must admit I admire the way they took it on the chin - I was furious.
Those that have commented that the troops might be a bit jaded and use some swear words in public are kind of missing the point. The whole country needs to wake up and see the faces of the troops coming back from theatres various and realise that we are at war. It may not be in Europe or on the beaches at Dover, but we are sending our young men and women off to fight in a foreign land and many of them are coming back dead or badly injured. I have some questions:
1. Why does nobody know (or they aren't telling) how many British service personnel have been injured in Iraq/Afghanistan since 2001?
2. Why are we hidden (the military) from the public?
3. How many govt ministers (or shadow ministers for that matter) have visited injured service personnel in hospital? If there are 'morale boosting' visits lets put them on TV so the whole country can see what the troops are going through.
4. Why does it take so long for a coronial inquest into each death? If, God forbid, a family member was killed in a car crash it would take less than half the time for the inquest to be heard.
5. In UK law the trial of persons accused of an unlawful act must be conducted within a sensible amount of time or the judge can throw it out based on the unreasonable nature of keeping someone waiting for justice. Yet, if you are in the military and accused of a crime it will take 3+ years to come to trial. Why are their different standards applied?
6. Why does our govt insist on putting ministers in charge of the MOD who would never have survived IOT or Sandhurst if they had joined up?
I must admit I found the whole hand-wringing and national angst about the World Cup pretty surreal against the back-drop of our friends and colleagues getting shot at and killed on a daily basis.
I said it before on the thread about the Dr from Kinloss who wouldn't go - that the only reason most of us still do what we do is for the mates and comrades around us. I lost my idealism some time ago and the cynical nature of the way the govt conducts its propaganda has finally finished me off. Most of us don't go to war for an ungrateful country and we definately don't do it for Tony Blair. We do it for our brothers in arms.
We must be allowed to wear our uniform in public, anywhere in the country with pride.
The guys who arrived at the same time as me from theatre were reduced to washing and cleaning themselves in the arrivals lounge toilets at Bzn as there were 'no shower facilities available to them' (gateway house anyone?). I must admit I admire the way they took it on the chin - I was furious.
Those that have commented that the troops might be a bit jaded and use some swear words in public are kind of missing the point. The whole country needs to wake up and see the faces of the troops coming back from theatres various and realise that we are at war. It may not be in Europe or on the beaches at Dover, but we are sending our young men and women off to fight in a foreign land and many of them are coming back dead or badly injured. I have some questions:
1. Why does nobody know (or they aren't telling) how many British service personnel have been injured in Iraq/Afghanistan since 2001?
2. Why are we hidden (the military) from the public?
3. How many govt ministers (or shadow ministers for that matter) have visited injured service personnel in hospital? If there are 'morale boosting' visits lets put them on TV so the whole country can see what the troops are going through.
4. Why does it take so long for a coronial inquest into each death? If, God forbid, a family member was killed in a car crash it would take less than half the time for the inquest to be heard.
5. In UK law the trial of persons accused of an unlawful act must be conducted within a sensible amount of time or the judge can throw it out based on the unreasonable nature of keeping someone waiting for justice. Yet, if you are in the military and accused of a crime it will take 3+ years to come to trial. Why are their different standards applied?
6. Why does our govt insist on putting ministers in charge of the MOD who would never have survived IOT or Sandhurst if they had joined up?
I must admit I found the whole hand-wringing and national angst about the World Cup pretty surreal against the back-drop of our friends and colleagues getting shot at and killed on a daily basis.
I said it before on the thread about the Dr from Kinloss who wouldn't go - that the only reason most of us still do what we do is for the mates and comrades around us. I lost my idealism some time ago and the cynical nature of the way the govt conducts its propaganda has finally finished me off. Most of us don't go to war for an ungrateful country and we definately don't do it for Tony Blair. We do it for our brothers in arms.
We must be allowed to wear our uniform in public, anywhere in the country with pride.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 734
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've got two takes on this:
Firstly I think it should be made optional for people to travel in uniform. I'm personally not a fan as it's difficult to relax and No2 blues - God forbid No1s! - just don't travel well. I'd actually resent being forced to wear it when travelling for a variety of complicated reasons, not least I don't like being a walking billboard!
As for other issues - upgrades, discounts, free entry to places etc. I think we're being a bit naive. Similar schemes in Britain would be so widely abused they'd be withdrawn in days in a similar fashion to the Blue Peter badge wearers trying to get into a zoo en masse. Or can you imagine LCpl Bloggs and his mates from 2 Para showing restraint in BA's First Class Lounge Bar? As a race we're programmed to take as much as we can and pay as little as we can, unlike the Americans who - perhaps programmably - follow the spirit of their privileges by not kicking the ass out of them and, on the whole, self-police themselves. If you've ever tried to get a Spam to get you a case of beer from a UK BX you'll know what I mean - compare that to a tab-smuggling squaddie from BFG.
Where we are missing a trick is by utilising our combined buying power for proper discounts - not those published in the Forces Discount Brochure. If we were organised - some might say by a federation - we could be a fairly powerful economic bloc and could almost certainly negotiate substantial discounts for things like car insurance, just like the civil service do already.
Firstly I think it should be made optional for people to travel in uniform. I'm personally not a fan as it's difficult to relax and No2 blues - God forbid No1s! - just don't travel well. I'd actually resent being forced to wear it when travelling for a variety of complicated reasons, not least I don't like being a walking billboard!
As for other issues - upgrades, discounts, free entry to places etc. I think we're being a bit naive. Similar schemes in Britain would be so widely abused they'd be withdrawn in days in a similar fashion to the Blue Peter badge wearers trying to get into a zoo en masse. Or can you imagine LCpl Bloggs and his mates from 2 Para showing restraint in BA's First Class Lounge Bar? As a race we're programmed to take as much as we can and pay as little as we can, unlike the Americans who - perhaps programmably - follow the spirit of their privileges by not kicking the ass out of them and, on the whole, self-police themselves. If you've ever tried to get a Spam to get you a case of beer from a UK BX you'll know what I mean - compare that to a tab-smuggling squaddie from BFG.
Where we are missing a trick is by utilising our combined buying power for proper discounts - not those published in the Forces Discount Brochure. If we were organised - some might say by a federation - we could be a fairly powerful economic bloc and could almost certainly negotiate substantial discounts for things like car insurance, just like the civil service do already.