Britain urged to love a man in uniform again
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Britain urged to love a man in uniform again
From The Times today:
THE government is to sweep away curbs on servicemen and women wearing uniforms off duty in public as part of a drive to boost popular support for the armed services.
A report commissioned by Gordon Brown to honour those serving in Afghanistan and Iraq will say all service personnel should be encouraged to wear their uniforms on leave.
A report commissioned by Gordon Brown to honour those serving in Afghanistan and Iraq will say all service personnel should be encouraged to wear their uniforms on leave.
"The review also wants Whitehall staff to wear uniforms on days other than Remembrance Sunday"
So - back to wearing uniform at Main Building? At least it'd make it obvious how many civil serpents now inhabit the place!
So - back to wearing uniform at Main Building? At least it'd make it obvious how many civil serpents now inhabit the place!
Hovering AND talking
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Age: 59
Posts: 5,705
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Britain urged to love a man in uniform again
Cheers
Whirls
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: @exRAF_Al
Posts: 3,297
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Anything that the wretched turncoat Quentin Davies is involved with, has to be tainted from the outset.
<<Davies, whose father served in the RAF in the second world war, added: “There should be more exposure to the military. We are not going to recommend people are ordered to wear uniforms on leave. It is a question of encouragement by example.”>>
Perhaps he could also suggest that the military be more exposed to its Secretary of State? As an aside, he replied to me last month thus;
Interesting. He only knows Des 'reasonably well', yet well enough it seems, to observe that Browne packs more than a week's work into a single week. Fascinating. The Secretary of State for Defence has worked out how to bend the laws of physics. Perhaps he also gives the job.. '110%'?
<<Davies, whose father served in the RAF in the second world war, added: “There should be more exposure to the military. We are not going to recommend people are ordered to wear uniforms on leave. It is a question of encouragement by example.”>>
Perhaps he could also suggest that the military be more exposed to its Secretary of State? As an aside, he replied to me last month thus;
Interesting. He only knows Des 'reasonably well', yet well enough it seems, to observe that Browne packs more than a week's work into a single week. Fascinating. The Secretary of State for Defence has worked out how to bend the laws of physics. Perhaps he also gives the job.. '110%'?
"At least it'd make it obvious how many civil serpents now inhabit the place!"
Actually Beags I'm going to have to burst your bubble, the total CS population of MB is a little over half (roughly 2000 of the 4000 odd that work there). Bearing in mind that most of this lot are admin clerks, security guards, cleaners and so on, I'm afraid that most of the people working there in a defence policy capacity will be in uniform.
EDIT - having read the article, there appears to be some confusion with BA - they already offer a 10% discount to military personnel, despite claims to the contrary in the report.
Actually Beags I'm going to have to burst your bubble, the total CS population of MB is a little over half (roughly 2000 of the 4000 odd that work there). Bearing in mind that most of this lot are admin clerks, security guards, cleaners and so on, I'm afraid that most of the people working there in a defence policy capacity will be in uniform.
EDIT - having read the article, there appears to be some confusion with BA - they already offer a 10% discount to military personnel, despite claims to the contrary in the report.
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: uk
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Boost support.... just fell off my perch reading that.
The Forces do not require support from the general public boosting
THEY NEED SUPPORT FROM THE DAMN GOVERNMENT FIRST.
As for wearing uniform in public I never left the station between 1988 and 2007 wearing it I always took it off.
If it rained at least my own clothes would keep me dry in Winter.
And in Summer I was cool no darn head dress to wear.
When I cleared every single item went back to clothing stores the guy there asked me don't you want to keep any of this.............NO I DON'T.
The Forces do not require support from the general public boosting
THEY NEED SUPPORT FROM THE DAMN GOVERNMENT FIRST.
As for wearing uniform in public I never left the station between 1988 and 2007 wearing it I always took it off.
If it rained at least my own clothes would keep me dry in Winter.
And in Summer I was cool no darn head dress to wear.
When I cleared every single item went back to clothing stores the guy there asked me don't you want to keep any of this.............NO I DON'T.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Does this mean squaddies returning from tours in the sandy place will actually be allowed to walk round BAA airports without being told they are scaring people?
Oh good - this should tie in nicely with the loss of all our personal data on the laptop!!
Now there will be no problems in recognising, and in extremes, targeting us.
Well, at least the ladies will love us....(again?)
Now there will be no problems in recognising, and in extremes, targeting us.
Well, at least the ladies will love us....(again?)
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Sunny Sussex
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bl
dy hell guys. I am not, by any stretch of the imagination, a supporter of the Labour government. However, they do something like this to encourage the public to respect the services (granted there may be an alterior motive). You complain when the government tries to improve the civvy-mil relationship. To be honest, they're stuck between a rock and a hard place with you.
dy hell guys. I am not, by any stretch of the imagination, a supporter of the Labour government. However, they do something like this to encourage the public to respect the services (granted there may be an alterior motive). You complain when the government tries to improve the civvy-mil relationship. To be honest, they're stuck between a rock and a hard place with you.
I see no complaints...
Whilst I detest NuLabor, I get the feeling that El Gordo is a lot more of a down-to-earth chap than that meeja-luvvy attention-seeking POS Bliar!
As a reasonably-frequent airline traveller, I'd be honoured by the presence of British Servicemen/peeps at the airport or on board my flight.
Whilst I detest NuLabor, I get the feeling that El Gordo is a lot more of a down-to-earth chap than that meeja-luvvy attention-seeking POS Bliar!
As a reasonably-frequent airline traveller, I'd be honoured by the presence of British Servicemen/peeps at the airport or on board my flight.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 734
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
AlJH
I'm not sure dicking everyone who returns from a det with a parade is anything other than yet another zero-cost, lip service-paying reaction to a more fundamental issue. As usual it'll be the blokes paying the bill when they're told to re-assemble at HQ 48hrs after getting back from a 6-monther, so the local mayor and Lord Lt can patronise them.
TV like the Ross Kemp show is much more what people want and relate to.
I'm not sure dicking everyone who returns from a det with a parade is anything other than yet another zero-cost, lip service-paying reaction to a more fundamental issue. As usual it'll be the blokes paying the bill when they're told to re-assemble at HQ 48hrs after getting back from a 6-monther, so the local mayor and Lord Lt can patronise them.
TV like the Ross Kemp show is much more what people want and relate to.
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Near Stalyvegas
Age: 78
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The curbs were introduced almost 30 years ago during the IRA’s bombing campaign on mainland Britain when military personnel were warned not to wear uniforms off duty
BTW, my son is a serving Police Officer.......The "pubic" aren't encouraged to give him a cheer......
watp,iktch
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: uk
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BEagle As a reasonably-frequent airline traveller, I'd be honoured by the presence of British Servicemen/peeps at the airport or on board my flight.
BEagle What a load of tosh ........Oh look at me I'm a serviceman. Stand out and get the first shot your way read the advice below. NEVER WEAR UNIFORM ON FLIGHTS.
1. Travel with an airline that has no or few political enemies.
2. Do not wear Army or ex-Army clothing.
3. Do not carry on your luggage in Army issue bags or rucksacks.
4. If the plane is hijacked, keep quiet and don't draw attention to yourself.
5. Observe the terrorist's activities very carefully. If you do escape, you'll be able to help secure forces.
6. Stay in tourist class. 'Neutral' seating in tourist class is less likely to attract attention than first class. If the terrorists wish to show their determination, they may shoot hostages, and these are likely to have been chosen from passengers who are obviously important.
7. If kept in close quarters with a hijacker, talk about your own and his family. Making yourself a real, normal person in his eyes will be better. Don't talk politics.
8. If you can feign symptoms of sickness and keep it up, you may be released in an interim deal.
9. Don't wear religious or other insignia. The hijackers may not share your beliefs! No T-shirts with political slogans either!
10. Travel in loose, comfortable clothing. If you are hijacked you'll have to keep yourself cool, clean and healthy for some time. Play mind games to keep yourself sane.
11. Don't carry military documents on board. Pack them in your main luggage. If a hijacker finds out you're connected, you'll be singled out for rough treatment.
12. If the aircraft you are on is hijacked the best way to stay alive is not to attract attention. When hijackers make their move, they are looking for opposition. Anyone who looks like they're trying to stop them is likely to be shot.
13. Keep your eyes open, your mouth shut... and don't volunteer for anything!
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: uk
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Robert Dean Stethem (November 17, 1961 – June 15, 1985) was a United States Navy Seabee diver who was murdered by terrorists during the hijacking of the commercial airliner he was aboard TWA Flight 847. His Navy rating was Steel Worker Second Class (SW2).
Robert Stethem was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, but grew up in the Pinefield section of Waldorf, Maryland. He was one of three children. His two brothers and his father also served in the U.S. Navy, all of whom were Navy SEALs. His mother was a civilian Navy administrator. He graduated from Thomas Stone High School in 1980, where he played defensive back on the varsity and junior varsity football teams. He joined the Navy shortly after graduating.
In the Navy, he was assigned to the Navy Underwater Construction Team No. 1 in Norfolk, Virginia. He was returning from an assignment in Nea Makri, Greece aboard TWA Flight 847 when it was hijacked by members of the Lebanese terrorist organization Hizbullah. They demanded the release of 766 Lebanese and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
When their demands were not met, Stethem was singled out. The hijackers learned he was a member of the U.S. military. They beat and tortured him. Then, they shot him and dumped his body on the tarmac at the Beirut airport.
One of the hijackers Mohammed Ali Hammadi, was arrested two years later in Frankfurt, Germany. He was tried and convicted of Stethem's murder. He was sentenced to life in jail. Three others, Imad Mugniyah, Hassan Izz-Al-Din and Ali Atwa were eventually indicted for their involvement in the incident. In 2002, they were added to the FBI Most Wanted Terrorists list.
Mohammed Ali Hammadi was paroled in December of 2005 and returned to Lebanon. It is speculated that he was released in a prisoner swap in exchange for the release of Susanne Osthoff, who was kidnapped in Iraq one month earlier.
Stethem was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. In 1994, the U.S. Navy launched USS Stethem (DDG-63) in his honor. There is a sports complex named in his honor on Piney Church Road, in the center of which is a large stone memorial to Stethem, above which a U.S. flag flies.
Robert D. Stethem Memorial Park includes 10 ball fields, two of which have 90-foot infields; the complex is the main complex for Waldorf American and Waldorf National Little Leagues. It was opened in 1990 and boasts a memorial stone 75 yards from Stethem's memorial, which includes a tribute plaque to several former Waldorf players, as well as local umpires and district officials who have lost their lives.
Robert Stethem was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, but grew up in the Pinefield section of Waldorf, Maryland. He was one of three children. His two brothers and his father also served in the U.S. Navy, all of whom were Navy SEALs. His mother was a civilian Navy administrator. He graduated from Thomas Stone High School in 1980, where he played defensive back on the varsity and junior varsity football teams. He joined the Navy shortly after graduating.
In the Navy, he was assigned to the Navy Underwater Construction Team No. 1 in Norfolk, Virginia. He was returning from an assignment in Nea Makri, Greece aboard TWA Flight 847 when it was hijacked by members of the Lebanese terrorist organization Hizbullah. They demanded the release of 766 Lebanese and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
When their demands were not met, Stethem was singled out. The hijackers learned he was a member of the U.S. military. They beat and tortured him. Then, they shot him and dumped his body on the tarmac at the Beirut airport.
One of the hijackers Mohammed Ali Hammadi, was arrested two years later in Frankfurt, Germany. He was tried and convicted of Stethem's murder. He was sentenced to life in jail. Three others, Imad Mugniyah, Hassan Izz-Al-Din and Ali Atwa were eventually indicted for their involvement in the incident. In 2002, they were added to the FBI Most Wanted Terrorists list.
Mohammed Ali Hammadi was paroled in December of 2005 and returned to Lebanon. It is speculated that he was released in a prisoner swap in exchange for the release of Susanne Osthoff, who was kidnapped in Iraq one month earlier.
Stethem was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. In 1994, the U.S. Navy launched USS Stethem (DDG-63) in his honor. There is a sports complex named in his honor on Piney Church Road, in the center of which is a large stone memorial to Stethem, above which a U.S. flag flies.
Robert D. Stethem Memorial Park includes 10 ball fields, two of which have 90-foot infields; the complex is the main complex for Waldorf American and Waldorf National Little Leagues. It was opened in 1990 and boasts a memorial stone 75 yards from Stethem's memorial, which includes a tribute plaque to several former Waldorf players, as well as local umpires and district officials who have lost their lives.
Most of what 'they' (the focus group, MP, Air Cdre and high ranking civil servant) suggested meant more work for the forces' personnel returning from Ops. The focus should be what the public can do for us and not opening up bases / stations needlessly bothering the occupants!
Things like free FA Cup tickets or discount at theme parks for forces families (although Alton Towers already offers one) etc should be on the agenda.
I said that with the UK populous being diluted by the influx of so many other cultures since WWII the 'ideal' that everyone arks back to (post WWII) has been lost forever. With the closure of so many RAF Stations in great parts of the UK, unless you live on the A1, Jo Public will rarely come across an Airmen! The same goes for the Army and the loss of the regional infantry regiments; great swathes of the UK now have no regionally biased regiment.
Ethnic recruiting in the forces is dismal; why would a Muslim want to join a military currently engaged in conflict with his religious homelands? Therefore, huge parts of the UK are alienated against and have little/no contact with the forces!
Things like free FA Cup tickets or discount at theme parks for forces families (although Alton Towers already offers one) etc should be on the agenda.
I said that with the UK populous being diluted by the influx of so many other cultures since WWII the 'ideal' that everyone arks back to (post WWII) has been lost forever. With the closure of so many RAF Stations in great parts of the UK, unless you live on the A1, Jo Public will rarely come across an Airmen! The same goes for the Army and the loss of the regional infantry regiments; great swathes of the UK now have no regionally biased regiment.
Ethnic recruiting in the forces is dismal; why would a Muslim want to join a military currently engaged in conflict with his religious homelands? Therefore, huge parts of the UK are alienated against and have little/no contact with the forces!
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Secret Lincolnshire Airbase
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Blimey Blogger - you're a cheery chap aren't you?
I always carry my I.D Card even when on a civvy flight. Does this mean that the terrorists are going to single me out during those oh so frequent hijackings (and maybe make me sit in row 1 so I hit the building before all the civvies seated behind me)?
I'm all for a bit more uniform being seen in public - I once applied for a bank loan in full uniform and the guy asked me for my occupation (he said he had no idea what it meant).
I always carry my I.D Card even when on a civvy flight. Does this mean that the terrorists are going to single me out during those oh so frequent hijackings (and maybe make me sit in row 1 so I hit the building before all the civvies seated behind me)?
I'm all for a bit more uniform being seen in public - I once applied for a bank loan in full uniform and the guy asked me for my occupation (he said he had no idea what it meant).
The last date I had to wear uniform I drove home quietly through the countryside reflecting to myself how badly the RAF had gone downhill over the previous 2-3 years.....
I wondered quite why I'd bothered to devote all my time and energies of the previous 35 years to an organisation which was now so hell-bent on self-immolation. Which hadn't even had the good grace to say thanks.
Then, the next day I got stuck into a civilian job. Hourly paid, no bull****, no secondary duties and with a tangible outcome to one's effort. It's coming up to 5 years now since I left and, regrettably, the RAF seems to be in a high speed spiral descent to oblivion..... Will it actually see its 100th anniversary?
blogger, you are a charmer, aren't you....
I wondered quite why I'd bothered to devote all my time and energies of the previous 35 years to an organisation which was now so hell-bent on self-immolation. Which hadn't even had the good grace to say thanks.
Then, the next day I got stuck into a civilian job. Hourly paid, no bull****, no secondary duties and with a tangible outcome to one's effort. It's coming up to 5 years now since I left and, regrettably, the RAF seems to be in a high speed spiral descent to oblivion..... Will it actually see its 100th anniversary?
blogger, you are a charmer, aren't you....
Last edited by BEagle; 27th Jan 2008 at 20:53.