More RAF Clothing....
Crikey me old - you are sensitive about cowardice; I don't remember calling you one at all...
I don't own a Chelsea tractor, I don't press my flying suit and surely you know that Waitrose doesn't sell Petrol (only supermarkets for pikeys like Tescos).
You must be a popular soul on your Sqn then?
Finally, a fortnight ago, 2 old boys came up and shook my hand (1 ex-RAF an 1 ex-RN) saying how wonderful it was to see someone in Service uniform with a hat on - apparently they see lots of beret-less pongos but never the Senior and Junior Service at all. Furthermore, this is not an uncommon event and I have had many delightful encounters with the public in my uniform - some of them non-native and non-christian as well (they must of been terrorists though as some had beards
). How many Police personnel, like WPC Fletcher (shot by Libyans outside the Embassy in 1984), have there been? - and I wouldn't want see the Police discarding their uniform as they "don't want to draw attention to themselves"!
Anyway, old fruit, I hope you never have anything to do with uniform policy or rise to a rank able to change things. Just a difference of opinions that's all...
Going back to deluded planet LJ...
PS
is not spelt that way - you really must be a pikey!
I don't own a Chelsea tractor, I don't press my flying suit and surely you know that Waitrose doesn't sell Petrol (only supermarkets for pikeys like Tescos).
I mix with none service people in my spare time
Finally, a fortnight ago, 2 old boys came up and shook my hand (1 ex-RAF an 1 ex-RN) saying how wonderful it was to see someone in Service uniform with a hat on - apparently they see lots of beret-less pongos but never the Senior and Junior Service at all. Furthermore, this is not an uncommon event and I have had many delightful encounters with the public in my uniform - some of them non-native and non-christian as well (they must of been terrorists though as some had beards
). How many Police personnel, like WPC Fletcher (shot by Libyans outside the Embassy in 1984), have there been? - and I wouldn't want see the Police discarding their uniform as they "don't want to draw attention to themselves"!Anyway, old fruit, I hope you never have anything to do with uniform policy or rise to a rank able to change things. Just a difference of opinions that's all...
Going back to deluded planet LJ...
PS
dilluded
TAC Int Bloke
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You probably wouldn't have survived had you have been based in Germany during the early eighties through to the nineties and "Proudly worn your uniform outside of work.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Maple, you have a poor memory for TacInt.
There was an Army SSgt or WO, followed to Zeebrugge and shot at the ferry terminal, just like that.
There was an Army SSgt or WO, followed to Zeebrugge and shot at the ferry terminal, just like that.
And the RAF Cpl who was shot dead at the petrol station in Wildenrath village (along with his baby).
And the Australian tourists who were killed in Roermond because the PIRA thought they were RAF.
And the bomb at the mess in Rheindahlen.
And the bomb at the Army movements unit at Dusseldorf airport.
And the 3 PIRA members who were arrested by German border guards with weapons and explosives about 10 miles south of Wildenrath.
Need I list anymore?
And the Australian tourists who were killed in Roermond because the PIRA thought they were RAF.
And the bomb at the mess in Rheindahlen.
And the bomb at the Army movements unit at Dusseldorf airport.
And the 3 PIRA members who were arrested by German border guards with weapons and explosives about 10 miles south of Wildenrath.
Need I list anymore?
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Or the fuss and palaver to drop BFG plates and get civilian plates. Mind you swapping to UK plates was hardly camouflage when parked outside a block of flats in a residential area.
I also remember looking into a Brit registered car in a BX car park.
First giveaway was the crossed rifles badge on the rear window. Inside something from the THRIFT Shop or some such. There may even have been some clothing too. In all there were about 6 clues, some subtle, some less so.
Yes we were conscious of the threat.
I also remember looking into a Brit registered car in a BX car park.
First giveaway was the crossed rifles badge on the rear window. Inside something from the THRIFT Shop or some such. There may even have been some clothing too. In all there were about 6 clues, some subtle, some less so.
Yes we were conscious of the threat.
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Not forgotten, the point being we stood out for many other reasons, because of BFG plates, or the same reasons that you could identify a Brit from 2000 yards on holiday or because of prescribed routes or obviously military vehicles trying to pass as civil (I'm thinking shift busses). A half-trained ASU would do a long reci and pick out who was who regardless of whether you popped to the Imbuss in your uniform - a one-off against a target of opportunity was quite rare.
My question being is the almost total lack of visibility in the community something that's exacerbated the divide between civilian and service? And by seeming to be scared/ashamed of being connected to the military we've given the terrorists a large psychological victory for relatively little effort
My question being is the almost total lack of visibility in the community something that's exacerbated the divide between civilian and service? And by seeming to be scared/ashamed of being connected to the military we've given the terrorists a large psychological victory for relatively little effort
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I have strong views on this issue. I take every appropriate opportunity to wear my uniform in public as I feel it's important to fly the flag and remind the public that we live amongst them. The whole goal of the terrorist is to disrupt normal day-to-day life, and I refuse to allow them to change my ways. If they are determined and organised enough (and they are) uniform alone will not be the giveaway.
I expect most of us operate lax or non-existent personal security otherwise, so why worry about wearing uniform? It may be the most obvious way that we identify ourselves, but not the only way.
Wear your uniform in public. Be proud. Stick 2 fingers up at the terrorists. If they want to get you, they will, uniform or not.
Wear the new clothing range in public. Look like a Walt. Give the terrorists a laugh. They will leave you alone as they know that no-one wearing it will be serving in the reguler RAF.
I expect most of us operate lax or non-existent personal security otherwise, so why worry about wearing uniform? It may be the most obvious way that we identify ourselves, but not the only way.
Wear your uniform in public. Be proud. Stick 2 fingers up at the terrorists. If they want to get you, they will, uniform or not.
Wear the new clothing range in public. Look like a Walt. Give the terrorists a laugh. They will leave you alone as they know that no-one wearing it will be serving in the reguler RAF.
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Things aren't so different today. Only last year we were warned not to wear uniform in High Wycombe as it had become known to 'the authorities' that the local Muslim youth were looking for a serviceman to beat up (following news reports of abuse in Iraq by our own lads).
Rgds
Smudge
Rgds
Smudge
