Harrier Pilot attacks Prime Minister on cuts
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Now my qualifications include catering for up to 17 people with full English, tea or coffee, at 200 feet in turbulence. While I have no ambition, or need to work in McMs, I doubt that they would recgonise the qualification either
OTOH while BA may also have turned me down, the Irish O'wizard may well have taken me on as a FA instructor.
Alba Gu Brath
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seniortrooper
That is not the experience of many ex-servicemen, check with any branch of SSAFA, British Legion, etc if you want the facts. A recent report on the BBC has shown that ex-servicemen struggle to find gainful employment even though they are at least as qualified as civilian contenders. Case in point was a former soldier who had project managed big budget assignments in the Army. The response from civilian employers was largely 'no relevance to civilian projects'.
Regarding the individual in question, he was presented with the opportunity to talk to the PM, something 'call me Dave' likes to tell us he is all for. Just because he has put his point across in person he is now being vilified and cast as a traitor. How many others would have had the moral courage to voice concerns knowing the amount of vitriol that would likely follow? And yes, it was a personal concern. Just because you hold the Queen's commission does not stop you having feelings about your own life, family and future.
Notching up innumerable 'qualifications' en route, it could be said that opportunities for future employment would be greater and not less than the equivalent civilian's career path.
Regarding the individual in question, he was presented with the opportunity to talk to the PM, something 'call me Dave' likes to tell us he is all for. Just because he has put his point across in person he is now being vilified and cast as a traitor. How many others would have had the moral courage to voice concerns knowing the amount of vitriol that would likely follow? And yes, it was a personal concern. Just because you hold the Queen's commission does not stop you having feelings about your own life, family and future.
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Just because you hold the Queen's commission does not stop you having feelings about your own life, family and future
But it does mean you should keep your mouth firmly shut when in the public eye.
Full stop.
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Quote:
"But it does mean you should keep your mouth firmly shut when in the public eye.
Full stop."
Bollocx$
So you're saying Officers should all be programmed robots, wake up FFS.
History repeating itself there and not a pretty one at that.....
In these current times, we should question every decision our politicians make. As much as it changes my life, I for one support (some of) the decisions made this week. I know why they've been made and, as unpalatable as they are, accept them and the reasons behind them.
Kris Ward spoke out when we were all pi$$ed off and some people cant see the Light of Day. Different generation.
If I was a Harrier jockey I'd feel the same way. I'm not RN, I don't know him, but respect him for this act.
PS:
Stick the spelling mistakes up your ar$e FW.
"But it does mean you should keep your mouth firmly shut when in the public eye.
Full stop."
Bollocx$
So you're saying Officers should all be programmed robots, wake up FFS.
History repeating itself there and not a pretty one at that.....
In these current times, we should question every decision our politicians make. As much as it changes my life, I for one support (some of) the decisions made this week. I know why they've been made and, as unpalatable as they are, accept them and the reasons behind them.
Kris Ward spoke out when we were all pi$$ed off and some people cant see the Light of Day. Different generation.
If I was a Harrier jockey I'd feel the same way. I'm not RN, I don't know him, but respect him for this act.
PS:
Stick the spelling mistakes up your ar$e FW.
Last edited by The Magic Rat; 21st Oct 2010 at 22:41.
So you're saying Officers should all be programmed robots, wake up FFS
A good officer performs robust analysis and makes strongly-reasoned points in private correspondence or conversation through the chain of command. If his arguments are good he will be listened to. If they are weak or based purely on emotion or instinct he will be ignored.
It can be frustrating for subordinates to see their leaders toeing the party line in public. What goes on behind closed doors is different. For an example you need to look no further than SDSR. CAS maintained media silence throughout the whole process and the RAF has come out pretty well thanks to his behind-the-scenes efforts. The Navy fought and defended their corner very publically and have been hit hard - no carrier air for 10 years!! On a smaller scale, your OC blustering away to one of his superiors might cheer you up for a minute, but it will do you absolutely no good beyond that.
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Sharkys Lad, is the only serving wafu. That i know of,who has voiced, an opinion on the Demise of fixed wing flying in the FAA. The deafening silence, from his superior officers, is an embarrassment, and disgrace to all ex and serving Wafus. Ps Wish you could have been my DO Sharky
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MR,
First it was this at1755 --
Now it's this at 2326 --
Must be the nectar
I'd say same light of day, regardless of generation.
Well said!!!
First it was this at1755 --
Foldie,
Fair enough...about the spelling mistake anyway.
Fair enough...about the spelling mistake anyway.
PS:
Stick the spelling mistakes up your ar$e FW.
Stick the spelling mistakes up your ar$e FW.
some people cant see the Light of Day. Different generation.
As much as it changes my life, I for one support (some of) the decisions made this week. I know why they've been made and, as unpalatable as they are, accept them and the reasons behind them.
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David Parry: by all means stand up and be counted. The FAA will be decimated by the news on Monday. However why the: "Harrier Pilot" and the "140 missions in A"??
What's wrong with standing up for the FAA and stating the facts that their future is uncertain instead of me, me, me....
What's wrong with standing up for the FAA and stating the facts that their future is uncertain instead of me, me, me....
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Big Tudor,
Many hearty congratulations!
You must take the first prize for:
That, my boy, takes the biscuit as the most irresponsible and ridiculous comment ever placed on an Internet Forum!
FW
Jindabyne,
I missed Ratty's 1755 comment, I guess he must have had second and negative thoughts; poor lad!
FW
Easy Street,
I applaud your very sensible and erudite comment (#130)
FW
Ratty,
Did you, perchance, go through DIOT Cranwell between 1997/00? If so, I send my apologies, I should have been more diligent!
FW
Just found a role for Harrier pilots:
Nuclear submarine HMS Astute runs aground off Skye
Sounds like an opportunity for Drivers Airframe (Harrier) in the near future!
Foldie
Many hearty congratulations!
You must take the first prize for:
he is now being vilified and cast as a traitor
FW
Jindabyne,
First it was this at1755 --
Quote:
Foldie,
Fair enough...about the spelling mistake anyway.
Now it's this at 2326 --
Quote:
PS:
Stick the spelling mistakes up your ar$e FW.
Quote:
Foldie,
Fair enough...about the spelling mistake anyway.
Now it's this at 2326 --
Quote:
PS:
Stick the spelling mistakes up your ar$e FW.
FW
Easy Street,
I applaud your very sensible and erudite comment (#130)
FW
Ratty,
Did you, perchance, go through DIOT Cranwell between 1997/00? If so, I send my apologies, I should have been more diligent!
FW
Just found a role for Harrier pilots:
Nuclear submarine HMS Astute runs aground off Skye
Sounds like an opportunity for Drivers Airframe (Harrier) in the near future!
Foldie
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foldingwings,
Really? Pray enlighten us as to why, in your obviously humble opinion, my comment rates as
That's quite an acheivement and one that I am sure my parents would be proud of! 
Before I go any further, I am not YOUR BOY, so kindly keep your condescending comments off the keyboard.
I would say that comments on this thread about Lt. Cdr. Ward having no consideration for his fellow officers or subordinates fall firmly into this category, wouldn't you?
Again, I would say some of the direct comments made about Ward match this description pretty closely.
Really? Pray enlighten us as to why, in your obviously humble opinion, my comment rates as
That, my boy, takes the biscuit as the most irresponsible and ridiculous comment ever placed on an Internet Forum!
Before I go any further, I am not YOUR BOY, so kindly keep your condescending comments off the keyboard.
Outside legal spheres, the word "traitor" may also be used to describe a person who betrays (or is accused of betraying) their own political party, nation, family, friends, ethnic group, team, religion, social class, or other group to which they may belong
vilify [ˈvɪlɪˌfaɪ]
vb -fies, -fying, -fied (tr)to revile with abusive or defamatory language; malign
vb -fies, -fying, -fied (tr)to revile with abusive or defamatory language; malign
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Did someone order some popcorn? this could be an enjoyable little moment.
From an erks perspective - only erks are allowed to put foot in mouth publicly like Sharkey jr......
Occifers do better. The fact is - he comes across as a selfish plank. regardless of motives and at least the RN would have given him a desk to fly rather than booting him.
Still think of all those navy engineers (air) who are suddenly left with much less of a career path -
And to tie this into all those other jobs threads - the boss is the first one in, last one out and does more that his staff. any manager can come and drive a desk but managers are not boss. From this short media led witchhunt would I like to work for Lt Cdr Ward - hmmmmmmm, no
From an erks perspective - only erks are allowed to put foot in mouth publicly like Sharkey jr......
Occifers do better. The fact is - he comes across as a selfish plank. regardless of motives and at least the RN would have given him a desk to fly rather than booting him.
Still think of all those navy engineers (air) who are suddenly left with much less of a career path -
And to tie this into all those other jobs threads - the boss is the first one in, last one out and does more that his staff. any manager can come and drive a desk but managers are not boss. From this short media led witchhunt would I like to work for Lt Cdr Ward - hmmmmmmm, no
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From that article
And with that, all credibility is lost!
“It would be easier to accept this decision if the Tornado was a better fighter,” says the pilot. “But the simple truth is that it isn’t. You need three Tornados to do the same work as one Harrier in Afghanistan. Where’s the sense in that?”
Jindabyne,
You make the comment that the statement has no credibility but do not back up the 'banter' with facts. Would you care to elaborate, based on your extensive Military experience over the last 5 years or use the knowledge gained during your service in Afghanistan since Harrier was deployed there or are your comments based on nothing other than a RAF centric, myopic view of Defence based on chatting with some mates during your retirement?
You make the comment that the statement has no credibility but do not back up the 'banter' with facts. Would you care to elaborate, based on your extensive Military experience over the last 5 years or use the knowledge gained during your service in Afghanistan since Harrier was deployed there or are your comments based on nothing other than a RAF centric, myopic view of Defence based on chatting with some mates during your retirement?
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It is very tiresome watching you lot pulling lumps out of one pilot who had the balls to confront the PM over some woeful decision making concerning cuts to the armed forces. Are you doubting that there might now be a very real morale problem on the Harrier force? Do you think it right and proper to have axed the Harrier force?
Why not consider deploying F-18s on to the new carriers as a stop gap measure if Britain is serious about power projection?
India was not allowed to have access to the Blue Vixen Radar, (with AMRAAM capability), when it expressed interest in buying FA2s recently and the deal fell through. It just highlights the level of sophistication and capability that has been tossed away and now the rest of the Harrier fleet is about to be thrown away with it.
I see all this, as another episode of the degradation of Britain as an important world power and inevitably leading to a reliance on other european defence capability. We don't need any lessons on how unreliable that can be. More importantly for the RAF, is that it might just have reached a tipping point. Morale is a funny thing, when the redundancies start rolling in, we should not forget that we are very much at war in Afghanistan.
Could you blame personnel for having one eye on the door? Furthermore, I am amazed that there isn't more questioning of the useless leadership at higher levels that has been endured by the Royal Air Force in the last decade. You lot would rather lay in to a war hardened Harrier pilot. `Be interesting to see how many missions his "leaders" have actually completed.
Why not consider deploying F-18s on to the new carriers as a stop gap measure if Britain is serious about power projection?
India was not allowed to have access to the Blue Vixen Radar, (with AMRAAM capability), when it expressed interest in buying FA2s recently and the deal fell through. It just highlights the level of sophistication and capability that has been tossed away and now the rest of the Harrier fleet is about to be thrown away with it.
I see all this, as another episode of the degradation of Britain as an important world power and inevitably leading to a reliance on other european defence capability. We don't need any lessons on how unreliable that can be. More importantly for the RAF, is that it might just have reached a tipping point. Morale is a funny thing, when the redundancies start rolling in, we should not forget that we are very much at war in Afghanistan.
Could you blame personnel for having one eye on the door? Furthermore, I am amazed that there isn't more questioning of the useless leadership at higher levels that has been endured by the Royal Air Force in the last decade. You lot would rather lay in to a war hardened Harrier pilot. `Be interesting to see how many missions his "leaders" have actually completed.
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Widger
.
Acknowleding my geriatric credentials, I nevertheless believe that the 3:1 argument does not bear scrutiny, nor does it require recent service or in-theatre experience to support that opinion. There is also more than adequate comment in previous posts to 'back up my banter', but thank you for your observations - my mates will be amused.
You need three Tornados to do the same work as one Harrier in Afghanistan
Acknowleding my geriatric credentials, I nevertheless believe that the 3:1 argument does not bear scrutiny, nor does it require recent service or in-theatre experience to support that opinion. There is also more than adequate comment in previous posts to 'back up my banter', but thank you for your observations - my mates will be amused.
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