Veterans To Be 'Formally Recognised With Official ID Cards'
If, over night, the rules changed, how many Pprunerati would use their new right? Maybe to use their previous Mess or Club for a year or so while their previous mates were still there, but how many would remain Klingons?
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Melchett, indeed. IIRC things were well down by the 90s even with off-base officers often not drinking at dining in nights or of course going to happy hours. As off base living increased social functions declined.
Avoid imitations
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Many of the stations where I served no longer exist as such. Two of the Officers' Messes I lived in have been levelled to the ground. Not of my doing, they were fine when I left.
Having said that, my daughter has a room on the same floor and just around the corner from where my room was In 1977. I visited there earlier this year to help her carry up some heavy kit and realised they haven't changed the combination number on the lock to the back door, in forty years!
Having said that, my daughter has a room on the same floor and just around the corner from where my room was In 1977. I visited there earlier this year to help her carry up some heavy kit and realised they haven't changed the combination number on the lock to the back door, in forty years!
For those getting rose tinted about access to service facilities, the info I have seen makes no reference to that. The only purpose seems to be to gain access to the so-called discount selling schemes. 
OAP
OAP
Melchett, indeed. IIRC things were well down by the 90s even with off-base officers often not drinking at dining in nights or of course going to happy hours.
I last visited an RAF mess at St Mawgan 2 or 3 years back when I gave an evening talk there. The mess is now a combined officers'/sergeants' mess and had about as much atmosphere as a Travel Lodge.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
TTN, thanks for that reminder, I was a dim memory for me, but dim isn't unusual nowadays. On one unit I lived 60 miles away. Certainly possible to get a room but who wants to overnight, hang around next day to gone lunchtime, and then drive home to an ignored wife on one of your rare weekends.
OAP, true, not suggesting that had even been picked up on, but a slight connection or contrast with US Vets, where they can fly Space Available, use the PX/BX/NX, Commisary, and facilities. Ramstein seemed well populated with retired Americans living locally. Access at Akrotiri would be a useful perk with its secure beach at Ladies Mile, but then, as a Serviceman, would you have want loads of WIWs?
OAP, true, not suggesting that had even been picked up on, but a slight connection or contrast with US Vets, where they can fly Space Available, use the PX/BX/NX, Commisary, and facilities. Ramstein seemed well populated with retired Americans living locally. Access at Akrotiri would be a useful perk with its secure beach at Ladies Mile, but then, as a Serviceman, would you have want loads of WIWs?
What about the promise to give us better response times with the NHS when waiting for treatment? Would a V on the driving licence be the best way? Surely a code on the licence, rather than a great big V would be acceptable? Just a thought. Now retiring to my study with a glass of wine!!!!
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Newt, priority within clinical need. Clearly you clinical need for a broken limb is less than for bleeding wound. The problem is that you have no way of knowing if the person ahead of you is better or worse than you.
Having visited A&E a number of times I found my veteran's card did seem to give me some priority.
Having visited A&E a number of times I found my veteran's card did seem to give me some priority.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Newt, any addition to a mandatory document such as passport or driving licence removes the right of anonymity or choice and exposes the holder to unnecessary risk.
Nigerian In Law
The Armed Forces Covenant introduced by David Cameron assures veterans of priority access to a number of social services. Housing waiting lists is one example. Priority access to medical services only applies to conditions suffered as a result or consequence of military service, e.g. a broken leg or illness suffered after discharge would not qualify, whereas a knee injury suffered on a promotion course would.
Having said that my son got no help whatsoever with treatment for PTSD brought on by his service in Afghan; the therapy and the priority attached to it was gained by me paying for it privately.
NEO
Having said that my son got no help whatsoever with treatment for PTSD brought on by his service in Afghan; the therapy and the priority attached to it was gained by me paying for it privately.
NEO
Supervisor to triage nurse - "Why have you put that chap with multiple stab wounds ahead of that other one with a sore finger? Don't you know the sore finger guy once did two years in the Pay Corps? Get it sorted!"
Newt, any addition to a mandatory document such as passport or driving licence removes the right of anonymity or choice and exposes the holder to unnecessary
Not sure what threat you mean and surely it is up to the individual to subscribe or not when filling in their forms for a replacement driving licence. I have no problem with carrying ID cards!
Not sure what threat you mean and surely it is up to the individual to subscribe or not when filling in their forms for a replacement driving licence. I have no problem with carrying ID cards!
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Newt, agree about subscribing, but some individuals might not realise the risks.
Threat - hiring a car at a location where members or veterans of HMF are not welcome. Need I spell it out?
Threat - hiring a car at a location where members or veterans of HMF are not welcome. Need I spell it out?
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
NEO, I have had my Veteran's card from before the unlamented one became PM. More useful was the Veteran's Oyster card introduced by Boris and of course the pension.
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"..travel to dangerous places". Lee Rigby was murdered after being identified as a serviceman in London
And surely the security risks in allowing continued access to military bases for all ex-servicemen is glaringly obvious?
And surely the security risks in allowing continued access to military bases for all ex-servicemen is glaringly obvious?
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As I still lived next door to my last station (Northolt) I remained an honourary member of the Sergeant's Mess for a couple of years, but as someone pointed out, once all your old mates have been posted, the connection fades.
Forty years on, I'm happy with just my veterans badge and membership of the local Veterans Breakfast Club.
Forty years on, I'm happy with just my veterans badge and membership of the local Veterans Breakfast Club.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Newt, apparently a simple solution but you assume that everyone will make an informed decision. People aren't like that and frequently ignore persec.
As Shot One says, even friendly places can be dangerous.
As Shot One says, even friendly places can be dangerous.
Updated news in the Times suggests 'Everyone leaving the armed forces will be allowed to keep their military identity card' - now why didn't I think of that
Link here (behind a paywall): https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/v...reet-5fj30jpwf
But the gist of it is
Link here (behind a paywall): https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/v...reet-5fj30jpwf
But the gist of it is
Under the plan, which came into force last week, service leavers no longer have to hand the card — known as the MoD Form 90 — back to their chain of command but instead must allow it to be cut at the corner.
Personnel who have already left can apply for an MoD 91 card. The MoD has databases listing all who served since 1975, according to the minister.
Personnel who have already left can apply for an MoD 91 card. The MoD has databases listing all who served since 1975, according to the minister.