I am on a par with Bernie, save for all those before his GSM; and all those after. Me n Monty eh? Who'da thought it.

On thread, rightly or wrongly, I never had my GSM mounted when I was in, so am never likely to wear it in civvies. As for the proposed one- I survived the cold war having been 'recognised' for 2 tours in NI, so might feel a fraud if I were considered eligible. But I see the counter argument too.

CG

Apparently Monty was once inspecting a parade, and paused in front of a man who was wearing a solitary ribbon, that of the Territorial Efficiency Medal. The great man spoke,

"Do you know, you are the only man on this parade who has a medal which I don't have!"

National Defence Medal
 

I have followed this campaign on the NDM website for some years with interest. Like many on this site I fully understand where they are coming from. I retired after 38years with some 8 medals and 3 extra bars some of which I felt were earned and some which came from just being in, yet it could just as easily been none as I had no real control over where I served. Some 4 years later I still await a testimonial or even a thank you for my service in this JPA era. The argument put forward by the no camp has always been a lack of risk and rigor, yet if you ask the cold war warriors they will tell you of the risk they took, or the nuclear test veterans and each and everyone of us during the IRA years, wherever we served. Cost has also been put forward as a factor, yet as has been pointed out the jubilee medals of recent years have just about been universal at a relatively low cost, a fraction of the estimate that MOD are quoting for the NDM. So I support this campaign for all who have bare chests, why shouldn't they stand proud with a tangible thank you, well deserved. As the veterans badge doesn't cut it!

There is a reasoned argument that everyone who joins the Armed Forces is saying they are prepared to put themselves in harms way and to lay down their life if required.

The concept of a medal that recognises that is surely not a 'medal for doing nothing'. Doing nothing is walking passed the recruitment office and going to the pub!

Recruitment sergeant drank in local pub
so no getting away from it

Recruitment sergeant drank in local pub
so no getting away from it


You are either a Troll, incredibly naïve, or so old that your memories of recruitment techniques are so out of date you should have been dead for over 100 years.

None of the above he was the local CIO Sergeant but happened to live out with the barmaid at my local public house
All paperwork and medicals had been done so he rang work to say someone had dropped out of the next intake are you available to go in next week.
He picked me up to go do the final paperwork and i was on my way.
Apologies it was late and I was using my tablet.

There are some member's here who know all about punctuation key's and use them on all occasion's. They would'n't like Jon's' post either, but they might think some apostrophe's had been left out of your's.

;)

Letter in the Daily Bellylaugh acouple of months back:


SIR – I support Cambridge City Council’s decision to remove apostrophes from street signs.

As a teacher, I notice that some children cant put them in the proper place. Others dont use them at all.

Its my opinion that they shouldnt have been included in the English language in the first place.

Furthermore, punctuation is a hindrance to a childs ability to write.Commas semi colons hyphens speech marks where does it end a childs creativityshould be free of the burden of punctuation speling allso neads too be delt wiv i prepoze that orll speling rools shud be remuved our kids wud hav a briter fucha and it wud put the grate bak into britten.

Mister B

Smith where Jones had had had had had had had had had had had the teachers approval.

P-N - I have amended your post to show how some on here (no names!) might have posted it.

Your version is, of course, perfectly correct. :ok:

Oh! for Victor Borge and his phonetic punctuation :D

[QUOTE]I see the correction's[QUOTE]

See the correction's what?

FB:)

Beags (if I dare be so familiar) #30,

Nice to know that the miniatures are allowed on mess kit these days. It's obviously the correct way to go. As for my reference to sleeping apparel, I apologise for the foul abuse of the apostrophe, of course, we of the lower decks sometimes struggle with all kinds of fee :ugh:

Stay well

Smudge:ok:

I understood Jon´s post perfectly but then I´m only 70.

This one puzzled me though.

Shack I have edited it so it looks a lot better now, it was not quite so pretty last night.
I think I have still missed a comma but hey ho.
I have learned not to get involved late at night, oh dear.
With apogolies for spelling.
Sleep well chaps.:)

Jon, thank you for that. Now all is clear, and I confess my previous interpretation was wrong.

Question, if a NDM was approved and a proof copy minted but no medals issued, would you buy your own?

I know those who are indifferent, opposed, or already have a cheerful would say NO.

What do those in favour think if it was a question of buy your own? Could buy your own be extended to the QSJM?

P N ... whilst not a proponent of the NDM, if one was instituted [but not issued to me, as an old-timer] I suspect I would buy one [if permitted]. I would take the same line over the Officers' LS&GC, as it seems not to be issued retrospectively. And indeed the QSJM, especially as the distribution of that was a nonsense!

Why? Well, if everyone else serving is getting them, why shouldn't I have something comparable to wear to reflect MY 30 years in a blue suit?

'Buy your own' for the QJSM would at least go some way to redressing the parsimonious way it was issued and the ill-feeling which that caused. Only 3% of Armed Forces personnel received the medal.... Qualifying criteria should be simple enough - to have served for 5 years in the first 25 years of HM's reign and to have been serving on the date of Her Silver Jubilee.

'Buy your own' NDM? A somewhat different matter. What are the intended qualifying criteria?