Veterans ID card
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whenurhappy.
Quote,( Copy & paste)
I suspect the average PPruner (serving or 'ex') are able to put up a robust argument to a Health Authority when this happens; however think of your young squaddie's family with his 'partner' and snotty nosed brats - little formal education (typically), little understanding of the System and hubby away for extended periods...this is where assistance is required to receive proper NHS treatment.
Why not stop at the young squaddies family point in the sentence? I think the assumed description which followed is totally unnecessary. I hope the "average PPruner" has more generous view of people on not so lofty a platform.
Quote,( Copy & paste)
I suspect the average PPruner (serving or 'ex') are able to put up a robust argument to a Health Authority when this happens; however think of your young squaddie's family with his 'partner' and snotty nosed brats - little formal education (typically), little understanding of the System and hubby away for extended periods...this is where assistance is required to receive proper NHS treatment.
Why not stop at the young squaddies family point in the sentence? I think the assumed description which followed is totally unnecessary. I hope the "average PPruner" has more generous view of people on not so lofty a platform.
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Longton, Lancs, UK
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I am now an old duffer - as some would like to describe me. As many others, I spent thirty years plus in HM Service, from 1962. Only two of those years were spent in harm's way: the rest was preparing for an all-out war that was in itself unthinkable, but nevertheless possible. I was not in danger of losing my life, other than being required to rehearse, daily, those procedures that were life-threatening. In other words, it was a stressful time, albeit, with its enjoyment. That said, many lives were lost in the process, including more than a few of my mates.
I already wear an old-duffer's metal badge (readily bought), occasionally. But yes, I would welcome a recognised Vet's card. Specifically one that would recognise my Service to my country previously described: of which I'm proud. I don't ask for financial gain, but, for me, it would be nice to be welcomed into my old Base Messes without being seen as a Pariah, and to be given access to other, military orientated, public places with a little privilege.
I hope that those presently serving, and who have served, in more recent and harmful conflict will be accorded better accolade than their predecesors.
I already wear an old-duffer's metal badge (readily bought), occasionally. But yes, I would welcome a recognised Vet's card. Specifically one that would recognise my Service to my country previously described: of which I'm proud. I don't ask for financial gain, but, for me, it would be nice to be welcomed into my old Base Messes without being seen as a Pariah, and to be given access to other, military orientated, public places with a little privilege.
I hope that those presently serving, and who have served, in more recent and harmful conflict will be accorded better accolade than their predecesors.
Last edited by jindabyne; 7th Jun 2012 at 20:49.
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I leave in a few weeks time after having spent over 38 years of the happiest, finest and most enjoyable days of my life in the Royal Air Force.
I now relish the prospect of life on the outside and cannot wait for the adventure that is the rest of my life.
This evening I have set aside a couple of pots of parecetomol along with a clear set of instructions for Mrs SFFP to put the whole feckin lot into my tea one morning should I ever voice a desire to visit a Sgts Mess again or feel the need to start wearing a bloody veterans badge.
I now relish the prospect of life on the outside and cannot wait for the adventure that is the rest of my life.
This evening I have set aside a couple of pots of parecetomol along with a clear set of instructions for Mrs SFFP to put the whole feckin lot into my tea one morning should I ever voice a desire to visit a Sgts Mess again or feel the need to start wearing a bloody veterans badge.
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Well said Jindabyne.
I wouldn't want to, but I can understand those who would like too.
I wouldn't want to, but I can understand those who would like too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NutLoose
Would that then not have put you in range of Wroughton or Halton?
You weren't a Nav, by any chance?
Originally Posted by NutLoose
Would that then not have put you in range of Wroughton or Halton?
You weren't a Nav, by any chance?
PKAM.
Unfortunately it is also true. Soldiers these days serve for about 5 years on average (a drop from 8 years average service of 10 years ago). A significant percentage entering the Inf have a reading age assessed between 7-10 years and a similar percentage are then diagnosed as having SEN. This does not mean they are thick; typically their educational background has let them down. 40% are in common law relationships on leaving the Service (in spite of the problems with pensions for the partner if the SP dies in Service) and many come from disfunctional families (up to 30%). A 17 y o applicant for the Army is also likely to have a history of minor criminality and it is accepted they will have also a history of exposure to recreational drugs (Class B/C).
The Army (in particular) is a great agent for social mobility and the majority leaving the Service get steady employment. However, unless they go down the PMC/PSC route, or have managed to qualify in a trade, most are in low-paid jobs and need, inter alia, social housing. Frequent moves during their Service career makes it difficult to gain traction on Council waiting lists (being addressed by the Military Covenant) so many return to their home towns to get support from family and friends. This, unfortunately, does not always end happily. A quick view of the overlay of recruiting patterns and social deprivation with see a very high degree of congruency, regretfully (and has been ever thus). Factor 'access' to other social services - especially health care - and you can see the scope of the problem.
It is glib to blame the CoC for these shortfalls and failings...
Unfortunately it is also true. Soldiers these days serve for about 5 years on average (a drop from 8 years average service of 10 years ago). A significant percentage entering the Inf have a reading age assessed between 7-10 years and a similar percentage are then diagnosed as having SEN. This does not mean they are thick; typically their educational background has let them down. 40% are in common law relationships on leaving the Service (in spite of the problems with pensions for the partner if the SP dies in Service) and many come from disfunctional families (up to 30%). A 17 y o applicant for the Army is also likely to have a history of minor criminality and it is accepted they will have also a history of exposure to recreational drugs (Class B/C).
The Army (in particular) is a great agent for social mobility and the majority leaving the Service get steady employment. However, unless they go down the PMC/PSC route, or have managed to qualify in a trade, most are in low-paid jobs and need, inter alia, social housing. Frequent moves during their Service career makes it difficult to gain traction on Council waiting lists (being addressed by the Military Covenant) so many return to their home towns to get support from family and friends. This, unfortunately, does not always end happily. A quick view of the overlay of recruiting patterns and social deprivation with see a very high degree of congruency, regretfully (and has been ever thus). Factor 'access' to other social services - especially health care - and you can see the scope of the problem.
It is glib to blame the CoC for these shortfalls and failings...
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british forces germany installation cards
One thing that puzzles me in this debate is that the MOD has already agreed to a de facto veterans card for Germany based ex-forces personnel. You can look up the above on the bfg.de website. 
Me:
Wuh:
Well, not so tasked by the COs that "aren't aware of these problems - for a myriad of reasons" presumably.
I know that BOF's like me, forever starting out with "In my day...", are less than welcome here and understandably so, but if one has personally seen a system that on the whole worked one feels compelled to speak out when it so obviously doesn't work now.
So, in my day... CO's, subordinate and otherwise, had much greater powers and discretion than now. No doubt "human rights" and "financial reality" have much to do with that change, but at the cost of military effectiveness I would maintain, and at real costs I would guess.
My CO's in turn:
Took on the NAAFI monopoly for trading (or in this case refusing to) on MOD property and won.
Took on the DHSS on behalf of a pilot paralysed for life following an accident while on detachment and lost.
Personally drove a wife from Hullavington to BN to catch the VC10 to Washington, having obtained Compassionate Authority as she had been informed the same morning that her father had died. Once on her way he contacted BDLS Washington to have her met and taken across Washington to board her prebooked flight to MIA, where she was met and travelled on with her brother. Finally my Boss (you've probably worked that out by now) sent a signal to me at Lajes informing me of all this, and finally was first aboard on arr at LYN, anxious that what he had done was OK by me!
Would any of this happen now? Could any of this happen now? The important spin-off to these initiatives (even those that failed) is that they were around the Squadron in a thrice, and everyone new that their boss was prepared and able to go out on a limb for any one of them. Loyalty was thus a two way street and morale was thus enhanced. Military effectiveness hence greater and tiers of pedestrian bureaucracy avoided.
Of course there were good bosses and bad ones. It was always thus, but good bosses were effective bosses as well. Are they now? Can they be now?
As to Station Commanders, they were effectively Town Mayors with almost absolute control over their command, including civilians. The boss who saw off NAAFI was able to do so because his Station Commander endorsed his claim that the Operational Effectiveness of his Squadron required the provision of refreshments to his First Line Night Shifts. The CoC empowering rather than neutering its subordinate commanders. Does that still happen? Can it still happen?
I only asked...
Indeed, and isn't that where Commanding Officers should step into the limelight to...uh, command?
Yes, perhaps they should - but often the COs aren't aware of these problems - for a myriad of reasons. The Army Welfare Servioce are typically tasked to deal with these problems,
I know that BOF's like me, forever starting out with "In my day...", are less than welcome here and understandably so, but if one has personally seen a system that on the whole worked one feels compelled to speak out when it so obviously doesn't work now.
So, in my day... CO's, subordinate and otherwise, had much greater powers and discretion than now. No doubt "human rights" and "financial reality" have much to do with that change, but at the cost of military effectiveness I would maintain, and at real costs I would guess.
My CO's in turn:
Took on the NAAFI monopoly for trading (or in this case refusing to) on MOD property and won.
Took on the DHSS on behalf of a pilot paralysed for life following an accident while on detachment and lost.
Personally drove a wife from Hullavington to BN to catch the VC10 to Washington, having obtained Compassionate Authority as she had been informed the same morning that her father had died. Once on her way he contacted BDLS Washington to have her met and taken across Washington to board her prebooked flight to MIA, where she was met and travelled on with her brother. Finally my Boss (you've probably worked that out by now) sent a signal to me at Lajes informing me of all this, and finally was first aboard on arr at LYN, anxious that what he had done was OK by me!
Would any of this happen now? Could any of this happen now? The important spin-off to these initiatives (even those that failed) is that they were around the Squadron in a thrice, and everyone new that their boss was prepared and able to go out on a limb for any one of them. Loyalty was thus a two way street and morale was thus enhanced. Military effectiveness hence greater and tiers of pedestrian bureaucracy avoided.
Of course there were good bosses and bad ones. It was always thus, but good bosses were effective bosses as well. Are they now? Can they be now?
As to Station Commanders, they were effectively Town Mayors with almost absolute control over their command, including civilians. The boss who saw off NAAFI was able to do so because his Station Commander endorsed his claim that the Operational Effectiveness of his Squadron required the provision of refreshments to his First Line Night Shifts. The CoC empowering rather than neutering its subordinate commanders. Does that still happen? Can it still happen?
I only asked...
