COLD WAR VETERANS
An interesting discussion and it is good to see that it has evolved into a more mature discussion that those first few posts, with individuals decrying the efforts of others.
Not everyone sat on an aerodrome in Germany, drinking pilsner. Many others spent months away from families, often in horrendous weather, hunting submarines (big up the MPA force), protecting the nuclear deterrent, trying to shake off Russian AGIs, flying, like Mog at sea, at night, without a diversion and sat in ships getting buzzed by Russian MPAs. Submariners, who closed the hatch in Scotland and opened it again, 3 months later in Scotland. Yes we got paid and fed (until pay as you starve) and many of us benefit from a good pension but, I do feel that the sacrifices of that generation should be recognised. When I joined, most only had 1 medal and that was if they had been down south in 1982. Well deserved. There were the odd DSOs etc, mostly submariners. Before Afghanistan, there were a few Admirals and senior officers with no medals despite their service of merit.
I spent 25 years in, was sat in the Gulf in 1992 whilst Saddam was still kicking off , worked supporting Deny Flight (Bosnia) helping to prevent genocide, took part in supporting our allies in the South China Sea, undertook anti drug patrols and lots of other stuff and all I have to show for it was a Golden Jubilee Medal (for which I am grateful) but which was such a low bar for award. If those who had never stepped in harms way but just served for 5 years could get a Jubilee medal (including various flavours since) or sit in Cyprus during GWI/II , why not recognition for those who helped keep Europe safe, a story that is only just being told. You only have to look and see what is happening in Ukraine to realise the threat that was kept at bay by our combined strength. I for one have signed the petition, 20 years to qualify I suggest.
Not everyone sat on an aerodrome in Germany, drinking pilsner. Many others spent months away from families, often in horrendous weather, hunting submarines (big up the MPA force), protecting the nuclear deterrent, trying to shake off Russian AGIs, flying, like Mog at sea, at night, without a diversion and sat in ships getting buzzed by Russian MPAs. Submariners, who closed the hatch in Scotland and opened it again, 3 months later in Scotland. Yes we got paid and fed (until pay as you starve) and many of us benefit from a good pension but, I do feel that the sacrifices of that generation should be recognised. When I joined, most only had 1 medal and that was if they had been down south in 1982. Well deserved. There were the odd DSOs etc, mostly submariners. Before Afghanistan, there were a few Admirals and senior officers with no medals despite their service of merit.
I spent 25 years in, was sat in the Gulf in 1992 whilst Saddam was still kicking off , worked supporting Deny Flight (Bosnia) helping to prevent genocide, took part in supporting our allies in the South China Sea, undertook anti drug patrols and lots of other stuff and all I have to show for it was a Golden Jubilee Medal (for which I am grateful) but which was such a low bar for award. If those who had never stepped in harms way but just served for 5 years could get a Jubilee medal (including various flavours since) or sit in Cyprus during GWI/II , why not recognition for those who helped keep Europe safe, a story that is only just being told. You only have to look and see what is happening in Ukraine to realise the threat that was kept at bay by our combined strength. I for one have signed the petition, 20 years to qualify I suggest.
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Many others spent months away from families, often in horrendous weather, hunting submarines (big up the MPA force), protecting the nuclear deterrent, trying to shake off Russian AGIs, flying, like Mog at sea, at night, without a diversion and sat in ships getting buzzed by Russian MPAs. Submariners, who closed the hatch in Scotland and opened it again, 3 months later in Scotland.
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None of this was unique to the Cold War (the subject of this thread). Service personnel are doing all of this today, so what medal would you recommend for them - Cold War 2.0? All of this is literally the job of the armed forces.
Were there no General service medals awarded during the Cold War?
Quote:
We've been at.peace with Russia since the 1850s.
Nope - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Russia_Intervention
And although never 'hot', the Cold War can hardly be characterised as peace (the clue is in the name).
We've been at.peace with Russia since the 1850s.
Nope - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Russia_Intervention
And although never 'hot', the Cold War can hardly be characterised as peace (the clue is in the name).
Right, so if the Cold War in its entirety is reclassified as a specific campaign for the purposes of this medal (rather than the particular shooty bits of it), how would Widger recognise today's service personnel who are doing the exact same thing he and others did decades ago?
And although never 'hot', the Cold War can hardly be characterised as peace (the clue is in the name).
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Right, so if the Cold War in its entirety is reclassified as a specific campaign for the purposes of this medal (rather than the particular shooty bits of it), how would Widger recognise today's service personnel who are doing the exact same thing he and others did decades ago?
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An interesting discussion and it is good to see that it has evolved into a more mature discussion that those first few posts, with individuals decrying the efforts of others.
Not everyone sat on an aerodrome in Germany, drinking pilsner. Many others spent months away from families, often in horrendous weather, hunting submarines (big up the MPA force), protecting the nuclear deterrent, trying to shake off Russian AGIs, flying, like Mog at sea, at night, without a diversion and sat in ships getting buzzed by Russian MPAs. Submariners, who closed the hatch in Scotland and opened it again, 3 months later in Scotland. Yes we got paid and fed (until pay as you starve) and many of us benefit from a good pension but, I do feel that the sacrifices of that generation should be recognised. When I joined, most only had 1 medal and that was if they had been down south in 1982. Well deserved. There were the odd DSOs etc, mostly submariners. Before Afghanistan, there were a few Admirals and senior officers with no medals despite their service of merit.
I spent 25 years in, was sat in the Gulf in 1992 whilst Saddam was still kicking off , worked supporting Deny Flight (Bosnia) helping to prevent genocide, took part in supporting our allies in the South China Sea, undertook anti drug patrols and lots of other stuff and all I have to show for it was a Golden Jubilee Medal (for which I am grateful) but which was such a low bar for award. If those who had never stepped in harms way but just served for 5 years could get a Jubilee medal (including various flavours since) or sit in Cyprus during GWI/II , why not recognition for those who helped keep Europe safe, a story that is only just being told. You only have to look and see what is happening in Ukraine to realise the threat that was kept at bay by our combined strength. I for one have signed the petition, 20 years to qualify I suggest.
Not everyone sat on an aerodrome in Germany, drinking pilsner. Many others spent months away from families, often in horrendous weather, hunting submarines (big up the MPA force), protecting the nuclear deterrent, trying to shake off Russian AGIs, flying, like Mog at sea, at night, without a diversion and sat in ships getting buzzed by Russian MPAs. Submariners, who closed the hatch in Scotland and opened it again, 3 months later in Scotland. Yes we got paid and fed (until pay as you starve) and many of us benefit from a good pension but, I do feel that the sacrifices of that generation should be recognised. When I joined, most only had 1 medal and that was if they had been down south in 1982. Well deserved. There were the odd DSOs etc, mostly submariners. Before Afghanistan, there were a few Admirals and senior officers with no medals despite their service of merit.
I spent 25 years in, was sat in the Gulf in 1992 whilst Saddam was still kicking off , worked supporting Deny Flight (Bosnia) helping to prevent genocide, took part in supporting our allies in the South China Sea, undertook anti drug patrols and lots of other stuff and all I have to show for it was a Golden Jubilee Medal (for which I am grateful) but which was such a low bar for award. If those who had never stepped in harms way but just served for 5 years could get a Jubilee medal (including various flavours since) or sit in Cyprus during GWI/II , why not recognition for those who helped keep Europe safe, a story that is only just being told. You only have to look and see what is happening in Ukraine to realise the threat that was kept at bay by our combined strength. I for one have signed the petition, 20 years to qualify I suggest.
Service personnel only?
What about all the civilians on units without whom we could not have functioned?
What about the ROC?
What about the UKWMO?
How long do you have to have served?
Where?
Doing what?
I'll stop there. Answer those first.
Tell that to the widows and parents of RAF aircrew killed in flying accidents as a result of pushing themselves and their aircraft to and beyond the limits to maintain deterrence..
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No medals for that I'm afraid, though many deserved them for protecting the citizens. Politically it would be viewed as similar to Culloden, another unrecognised battle. Though I'm not starting discussion on either event.
Right, so if the Cold War in its entirety is reclassified as a specific campaign for the purposes of this medal (rather than the particular shooty bits of it), how would Widger recognise today's service personnel who are doing the exact same thing he and others did decades ago?
If such a medal is ever to be awarded, the algorithm will need a lot of work to identify and locate intended recipients. One question I would add to the list of Qs I already posted, would it be awarded posthumously, because that is another can of worms.
I saw mention that it might be purchased rather than awarded. Even then, depending on the algorithm, the authentication process will be time consuming, unless you just take someone's word for it, and wearing a medal that you had to buy just doesn't sit right with me.
I saw mention that it might be purchased rather than awarded. Even then, depending on the algorithm, the authentication process will be time consuming, unless you just take someone's word for it, and wearing a medal that you had to buy just doesn't sit right with me.
Around 300000 GSM(NI) were awarded.... Yes, three hundred thousand!
Nowadays LS&GC is awarded after 15 years service. Perhaps 15 years service between 1947 and 1991 would be reasonable for any 'Cold War Veteran' medal?
Nowadays LS&GC is awarded after 15 years service. Perhaps 15 years service between 1947 and 1991 would be reasonable for any 'Cold War Veteran' medal?