No need for a DDS card for those in the Regulars/Reserves as a MOD90 (the new F1250 for those aged RAF types) works fine in the Apple Store, Yo Sushi, Costa, etc...etc...

On the ID card subject I always though that it made sense to issue a card to everyone that left with Regular Reserve commitment under RFA80 or RFA96. The expiry date of that card would be the date that the commitment to re-called back to the Service expires. That way, the individual knows when their Regular Reserve commitment ends - broadly speaking for those that retired without a pension it is 6 years and for those that did it is age 55/60 (there are many variations inbetween). As a member of that group then individuals are still de facto Reserves and should be allowed to remain Mess Members and access the Clubs/Assocs if they wish to.

LJ

After I retired but with my RAFR 1250, I was driving north with wife and mother in law and around lunch time we were nearing Leeming. Lunch I thought.

We swung in, I signed the car in at the guardroom, and thence to the Mess for a splendid lunch. Now that is what it should mean.

Or years before when main gates, even on bomber bases were not manned, former stn cdr, not an honour member, used to drop in to the Mess - one Johnnie Johnson.

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?

Probably not many. Mess life is sadly dying to the extent that many serving only stay in the Mess as long as they need to to either establish themselves or get a deposit together for a house. The Mess as the heart and soul of the Officer cadre is now a historical artifice. If I were to do a full career I’d be surprised if Messes as we used to know then still existed by that point.

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.

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!

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. :rolleyes:

OAP

I recall around 1969 I went to a dining at Gaydon from my rented cottage in Loxley by taxi and being being able to claim for it, as dining in nights were parades. That didn't last long when the bean counters had a look at it.

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.

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?

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!!!!

If it's a simple ID card you want, look at this.

https://www.rafa.org.uk/members/retired-service-card/

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.

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.

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

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!

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?

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.

Pontius, I still don’t see the problem! If you wish to travel to dangerous places then don’t sign up to the deal! Simples!

"..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?

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.