How the Military and RAF are perceived by the general public
Part of the problem is the media.
I work in the entertainment industry and, recognising the problem outlined in this thread, have several times tried to get military-themed productions going - the sort of thing that the Americans, for all their faults as media producers, are extremely good at. It has been difficult not because there's any particular bias against depicting the military, because as the cited survey demonstrates, there's actually quite decent knowledge and understanding of the armed forces (if you consider the figures low, think about how low they are for genuinely unexciting things).
The problem is that serial drama is fairly expensive to produce, especially when you're proposing to pursue a military theme and it's likely to be at least something of an action movie (nobody's going to make a TV show about the RAF and never show flying). And yes, there is some fairly small amount of political correctness going on, which is probably why Bluestone 42 got made - it was a comedy, which is seen as a vehicle for responsible social comment in a way that drama often isn't.
Anyway, given the massive media presence of the army due to Afghanistan it'd be very nice to see some more of the RAF and in my experience they have always been very willing to support the media where possible. I'm still hoping.
On the other hand, no matter how hard we tried, pprune would slag it off...
I work in the entertainment industry and, recognising the problem outlined in this thread, have several times tried to get military-themed productions going - the sort of thing that the Americans, for all their faults as media producers, are extremely good at. It has been difficult not because there's any particular bias against depicting the military, because as the cited survey demonstrates, there's actually quite decent knowledge and understanding of the armed forces (if you consider the figures low, think about how low they are for genuinely unexciting things).
The problem is that serial drama is fairly expensive to produce, especially when you're proposing to pursue a military theme and it's likely to be at least something of an action movie (nobody's going to make a TV show about the RAF and never show flying). And yes, there is some fairly small amount of political correctness going on, which is probably why Bluestone 42 got made - it was a comedy, which is seen as a vehicle for responsible social comment in a way that drama often isn't.
Anyway, given the massive media presence of the army due to Afghanistan it'd be very nice to see some more of the RAF and in my experience they have always been very willing to support the media where possible. I'm still hoping.
On the other hand, no matter how hard we tried, pprune would slag it off...
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'The RAF Regiment seem to have significant comedic value in their own right.'
Phil,
You make some good points but let's have a look at the task in hand in Afg.
It ain't all drama and you luvvies love your drama.
Boots on the ground etc, win wars. Bust.
Getting people there on airliners is not interesting - it is dull, mind-numbingly so - but the team do a good job with an elderly frame.
MERTs, Merlins are fantastic but I guess there is only so many times you can film a casualty pickup and and a RiP (Troop Change).
That is why our man, Gwant, wants to go out on patrols, hear rounds pinging over his head, and hear bombs dropping - that makes good tv, and we like it because it is good for recruiting.
More RAF - maybe.
More Army - maybe.
More Navy - had their fair share of media coverage.
iPod anyone?
G
Phil,
You make some good points but let's have a look at the task in hand in Afg.
It ain't all drama and you luvvies love your drama.
Boots on the ground etc, win wars. Bust.
Getting people there on airliners is not interesting - it is dull, mind-numbingly so - but the team do a good job with an elderly frame.
MERTs, Merlins are fantastic but I guess there is only so many times you can film a casualty pickup and and a RiP (Troop Change).
That is why our man, Gwant, wants to go out on patrols, hear rounds pinging over his head, and hear bombs dropping - that makes good tv, and we like it because it is good for recruiting.
More RAF - maybe.
More Army - maybe.
More Navy - had their fair share of media coverage.
iPod anyone?
G
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How the Military are perceived by the public depends very much upon how the media portray them.
Saturday's behaviour by certain individuals in uniform joining Rangers fans in singing sectarian songs at Ibrox has gone relatively unreported.
Only one commentator has picked up on the 'story' - mostly for the lack of coverage it received in the press...
Will mainstream media report on sectarian singing by British troops?
Edit: Spoke too soon...
BBC News - Police probe 'concerns' over Rangers' Armed Forces Day
Saturday's behaviour by certain individuals in uniform joining Rangers fans in singing sectarian songs at Ibrox has gone relatively unreported.
Only one commentator has picked up on the 'story' - mostly for the lack of coverage it received in the press...
Will mainstream media report on sectarian singing by British troops?
Edit: Spoke too soon...
BBC News - Police probe 'concerns' over Rangers' Armed Forces Day
Last edited by rab-k; 30th Sep 2013 at 16:59.
The RAF Regiment seem to have significant comedic value in their own right.
More importantly - that clip from the Rangers game. I couldn't make out the words of the chants/songs, but if the reports are right and this was sectarian chanting of the type that's corroded Scottish football for the past century and more, then it should be a huge bollocking at the least for all who participated, plus a hat on, standing to attention interview at the very highest level for the officer or NCO i/c on the day, and possibly an invitation to consider his future career in the military. As I say, not 100% sure what was going on there, but if it is as reported then I have to agree with the You Tube commentator who called it a "vile spectacle".
Last edited by Tankertrashnav; 30th Sep 2013 at 17:21.
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Rab-k
Since this thread is about perception I would say the troops are being supported rather well in the clip. Yes the crowd may be partizan from a side but I do not hear anything particularly worrying.
However as an Arsenal supporter when I was attending another Armed Forces day I have been the most disgusted I have ever been. The fans from the other side of the city were absolutely vile to a man (and woman). Chanting "Murderous B*****s" and songs of "Argentina" towards the marines etc was spine tingly horrifying.
I know what sort of perception and also what sort of reception I would rather receive
I also remember reading about a shockingly bad display again giving a completely negative perception and totally unsupporting of the armed forces
Celtic apologise for fans' 'bloodstained' poppy protest | Mail Online
I think the clip you linked shows nothing but support and the troops do nothing wrong apart from over exuberance maybe. I was actually quite pleased with the reception the troops received and should be replicated around more arena's.
Since this thread is about perception I would say the troops are being supported rather well in the clip. Yes the crowd may be partizan from a side but I do not hear anything particularly worrying.
However as an Arsenal supporter when I was attending another Armed Forces day I have been the most disgusted I have ever been. The fans from the other side of the city were absolutely vile to a man (and woman). Chanting "Murderous B*****s" and songs of "Argentina" towards the marines etc was spine tingly horrifying.
I know what sort of perception and also what sort of reception I would rather receive
I also remember reading about a shockingly bad display again giving a completely negative perception and totally unsupporting of the armed forces
Celtic apologise for fans' 'bloodstained' poppy protest | Mail Online
I think the clip you linked shows nothing but support and the troops do nothing wrong apart from over exuberance maybe. I was actually quite pleased with the reception the troops received and should be replicated around more arena's.
Last edited by Fire 'n' Forget; 30th Sep 2013 at 17:50.
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'diginagain and gijoe - Some detail required for explanation'
Every Rockchimp I have ever met has said one of the following:
1. 'I hate aeroplanes - noisy 'orrible things.'
2. 'My Pre-Para was much harder than P Coy - all the lads at 2 Para said so...2 Para RAF Regt that is.'
or my favourite,
3. There are the big 3 - H, Poole and....yup...you guessed it...the RAF Regt.
Comedy at it's purest - need any more?
G
Every Rockchimp I have ever met has said one of the following:
1. 'I hate aeroplanes - noisy 'orrible things.'
2. 'My Pre-Para was much harder than P Coy - all the lads at 2 Para said so...2 Para RAF Regt that is.'
or my favourite,
3. There are the big 3 - H, Poole and....yup...you guessed it...the RAF Regt.
Comedy at it's purest - need any more?
G
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"Get some in" managed to portray the RAF without any nasty horrible Aeroplanes in sight..
It would be nice to see something back along those lines, though for those of you still treasuring your old No2 jacket anywhere, Thunderbirds is being remade
It would be nice to see something back along those lines, though for those of you still treasuring your old No2 jacket anywhere, Thunderbirds is being remade
Ah, TTN, the Short Range Desert Group are legends among the military. Equipped with vehicles, weapons and sunglasses that the regular soldiery can only dream-of, the heroes of FP (Facility Protection - motto "The EFI Won't Guard Itself, You Know.") - never fail to impress with their use of social media to spread the word of their exploits, although they seem rather reticent to mention burned-out aircraft, and the 5.56mm bullet-holes in a set of Osprey.........
Last edited by diginagain; 1st Oct 2013 at 06:21.
NutLoose "Get some in" managed to portray the RAF without any nasty horrible Aeroplanes in sight..
Not quite. I remember one episode where the flight received an air experience trip in a Beverley (lots of stock footage), the joke being that the corporal hid very well his fear of flying and was planning other things until the pilot said to him something along the lines of "nonsense corporal, you deserve a treat as well."
Cue one terrified corporal for the flight with the recruits trying not to find it funny.
Not quite. I remember one episode where the flight received an air experience trip in a Beverley (lots of stock footage), the joke being that the corporal hid very well his fear of flying and was planning other things until the pilot said to him something along the lines of "nonsense corporal, you deserve a treat as well."
Cue one terrified corporal for the flight with the recruits trying not to find it funny.
and the 5.56mm bullet-holes in a set of Osprey
)
Originally Posted by Wrathmonk
Read this over on the Army site some time ago - any "open source" evidence to support this or was it more Army v RAF Regt 'banter' (probably by some never-served "second on the balcony" type which seems to have taken over that site of late)
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Looking at the figures I admit to being impressed with how high they were and how accurately they mirror what I perceive to be the opinions of Ppruners in this section viz-a-viz equipment, pay, the Services and the MOD.
About 9-10 years ago at a media seminar the same things were quoted with the Armed Services being good and the MOD bad. As for the media jumping on the outrage bus, that is SOP as it sells papers.
Best is officers misbehaving, second best is the licentious and brutal soldiery.
About 9-10 years ago at a media seminar the same things were quoted with the Armed Services being good and the MOD bad. As for the media jumping on the outrage bus, that is SOP as it sells papers.
Best is officers misbehaving, second best is the licentious and brutal soldiery.
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Off thread, but "wild friendly" shooting brings to mind my time in Sri Lanka. The Tigers attacked the assembled aircraft at about 0300LT, having hit the Mirages and choppers on the north side of the runway. After it was all over, 2 A340's and 1 A330 had been destroyed by satchel bombs. A further 2 aircraft (A320's) were destroyed by wildly aimed rifle fire from the army.
Off thread, but "wild friendly" shooting brings to mind my time in Sri Lanka. The Tigers attacked the assembled aircraft at about 0300LT, having hit the Mirages and choppers on the north side of the runway. After it was all over, 2 A340's and 1 A330 had been destroyed by satchel bombs. A further 2 aircraft (A320's) were destroyed by wildly aimed rifle fire from the army.
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Perception by potential employers
Whilst off the main topic of the thread, for whats it's worth in recent years I have seen a general shift of opinion amongst some potential employers of ex servicemen. It was once percieved that we are/were hard working, loyal and highly trained and in many cases that is still true.
The recent shift seems to reflect that many "chase the money" when they leave a service, jumping from job to job and showing no real advantage over civilian counterparts. And, in general, nothing wrong with looking after ones self, but (rightly or wrongly) this has had a damaging effect on how ex servicemen are viewed as likely job candidates.
The recent shift seems to reflect that many "chase the money" when they leave a service, jumping from job to job and showing no real advantage over civilian counterparts. And, in general, nothing wrong with looking after ones self, but (rightly or wrongly) this has had a damaging effect on how ex servicemen are viewed as likely job candidates.