How Britain Treats Its Troops

[Boon Mee]

How Britain Treats Its Troops
(but don't question their Patriotism)

Scores of soldiers flying home from Afghanistan on Christmas leave were ordered to change out of their uniforms on a freezing runway before being allowed into a civilian airport terminal.

Troops were told not to be seen in public in their uniforms - which they had worn with pride while risking their lives during months of intense fighting against the Taliban.
Last night the Ministry of Defence and bosses at Birmingham International Airport blamed each other for the indignity suffered by the soldiers - which comes amid mounting anger over the treatment of British troops returning from war.

One soldier, who was ordered to undress for “security reasons”, said: “It is an insult to the entire Army to force guys who’ve been fighting in Afghanistan to obey some jobsworth rule when all they want to do is get home to their families.

“So much for a nation proud of its servicemen. The temperature was Baltic on the runway but most of just wanted to get home so we cracked on.”

The December 23 flight, carrying 200 personnel, had been diverted from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire to Birmingham because of bad weather.

The troops were told they could either wait for coaches to take them back to Brize Norton or else travel home via public transport - in which case they must change into civilian clothes before entering the terminal.

Around 50 chose the latter option and, because there was no room in the cabin, most changed outside."

Fucking shameful it is - bet Wellington, Cardigan, Churchill etc are rolling over in their graves...

Afghan heroes home for Christmas forced to change out of uniforms on freezing runway before using airport terminal | the Daily Mail

[sabang]

That is sad. The solders do not deserve the scorn.

[November Rain]

The ruling makes sense (ie not on public transport in their uniforms). It's been in place for ages as a security precaution. However, wtf B'ham Airport could not have provided them with a warm, private room to change in is totally beyond me.

[stroller]

The ruling makes sense (ie not on public transport in their uniforms). It's been in place for ages as a security precaution.

Yep.
The emotive appeal for the mistreated soldiers is typical Daily Mail hype & spin - I am surprised the "PC Left" or so wasn't blamed to be responsible.

[VocalNeal]

...and no shopping in Harrods either..

[Norton]

The ruling makes sense (ie not on public transport in their uniforms). It's been in place for ages as a security precaution.

Is this because uniformed military would be targeted? Genuinely confused. Please explain the reason.

[Wallalai]

How Britain Treats Its Troops

Do you want me to make a report how USA treat their veterans ? CNUT.

[Thormaturge]

Plenty of uniformed military in Bangkok. People are queuing up to buy camouflage cargo pants here. If someone shoots this lot maybe I can get on the BTS.

I thought the way Britain treated the Gurkhas was poor. No pensions. No rights to live in the UK. I wonder why we lost an Empire.....

[November Rain]

The ruling makes sense (ie not on public transport in their uniforms). It's been in place for ages as a security precaution.

Is this because uniformed military would be targeted? Genuinely confused. Please explain the reason.

That's exactly it. Without meaning to get into a shitfight here, we've had our problems with terrorists for quite some time. And the military were a prime target. So, it's been a standard precaution for years that military personnel do not wear their uniforms outside in public (apart from duties like ceremonial duties or MP's on duty in a squaddy town when they're all out at night or patrolling round the sailors on shore leave etc)

When I was a Navy wife, we lived on a Navy Estate - married quarters. We were given all this paperwork to read about vigilance against terrorists & hubby & the other guys were each given mirrors on poles to check under their cars for bombs. That sort of thing. It's all standard procedure, as anyone with a UK military background would know.

[Boon Mee]

How Britain Treats Its Troops

Do you want me to make a report how USA treat their veterans ? CNUT.

Be our guest!
...heh

[Wallalai]

^ Huh, never been and will never go. On my axis of evil blacklist.

[English Noodles]

^your a cock your a cock your a cock, your a cock your a cock.

[Wallalai]

I can see that your writing skills are getting better and better, congratulations.


... and sorry, I have a cock

[astasinim]

That's exactly it. Without meaning to get into a shitfight here, we've had our problems with terrorists for quite some time. And the military were a prime target. So, it's been a standard precaution for years that military personnel do not wear their uniforms outside in public (apart from duties like ceremonial duties or MP's on duty in a squaddy town when they're all out at night or patrolling round the sailors on shore leave etc)

When I was a Navy wife, we lived on a Navy Estate - married quarters. We were given all this paperwork to read about vigilance against terrorists & hubby & the other guys were each given mirrors on poles to check under their cars for bombs. That sort of thing. It's all standard procedure, as anyone with a UK military background would know.

NR is spot on. While i was serving, it was a chargeable offense to wear your uniform outside barracks unless it was for duties. The reason being, you could make yourself and your family a target for the IRA. With the way things are at the moment, i totally understand why these troops were asked to change into civvies. As NR stated, not being given a decent changing area was a bit poor.

[English Noodles]

That's exactly it. Without meaning to get into a shitfight here, we've had our problems with terrorists for quite some time. And the military were a prime target. So, it's been a standard precaution for years that military personnel do not wear their uniforms outside in public (apart from duties like ceremonial duties or MP's on duty in a squaddy town when they're all out at night or patrolling round the sailors on shore leave etc)

When I was a Navy wife, we lived on a Navy Estate - married quarters. We were given all this paperwork to read about vigilance against terrorists & hubby & the other guys were each given mirrors on poles to check under their cars for bombs. That sort of thing. It's all standard procedure, as anyone with a UK military background would know.

NR is spot on. While i was serving, it was a chargeable offense to wear your uniform outside barracks unless it was for duties. The reason being, you could make yourself and your family a target for the IRA. With the way things are at the moment, i totally understand why these troops were asked to change into civvies. As NR stated, not being given a decent changing area was a bit poor.

Yep, very poor if you ask me.

Noodles.

[Norton]

That's exactly it. Without meaning to get into a shitfight here, we've had our problems with terrorists for quite some time. And the military were a prime target. So, it's been a standard precaution for years that military personnel do not wear their uniforms outside in public (apart from duties like ceremonial duties or MP's on duty in a squaddy town when they're all out at night or patrolling round the sailors on shore leave etc) When I was a Navy wife, we lived on a Navy Estate - married quarters. We were given all this paperwork to read about vigilance against terrorists & hubby & the other guys were each given mirrors on poles to check under their cars for bombs. That sort of thing. It's all standard procedure, as anyone with a UK military background would know.

Thanks! Clears it up for me.

[barbaro]

How Britain Treats Its Troops
(but don't question their Patriotism)

Scores of soldiers flying home from Afghanistan on Christmas leave were ordered to change out of their uniforms on a freezing runway before being allowed into a civilian airport terminal.

I can see why.

I don't think military people should wear uniforms in public places unless they are going to or from, work.

It's arrogant.

And no, being n the military, nor wearing a military uniform does not make one patriotic. Not at all.

[Texpat]

How Britain Treats Its Troops

Do you want me to make a report how USA treat their veterans ? CNUT.

So sensitive!
So fragile!
So easily offended.

The US slagfest is all cracking good humor. Daily bashing of stupid Thais is a given. A single embarassing thread about the UK and the OP is a cnut. Grow up you pansy.

***

This issue here does not concern wearing uniforms in public. It's about these guys being forced to change from their uniforms on a cold, windy tarmac. There are many, many reasons for servicemen to wear uniforms in public. There are many situations when it's inappropriate. It's never a good idea to make anyone undress on an airport tarmac. Shameful.

[AntRobertson]

The US slagfest is all cracking good humor. Daily bashing of stupid Thais is a given. A single embarassing thread about the UK and the OP is a cnut. Grow up you pansy.

***

This issue here does not concern wearing uniforms in public. It's about these guys being forced to change from their uniforms on a cold, windy tarmac. There are many, many reasons for servicemen to wear uniforms in public. There are many situations when it's inappropriate. It's never a good idea to make anyone undress on an airport tarmac. Shameful.

Well said. Although to be fair the Daily Mail (as originally reported) is a notorious rag for making these emotive 'issues'. Certainly sucked Booners in.

[Boon Mee]

^
Certainly pulled another one of my signature 'rope-a-dopes' with you, eh? LOL!

Where's the Gent?
At least he was a bit of a challange...

[AntRobertson]

^ So you're telling me that you posted this topic, in Issues, with the express intention of trolling and likewise presented a slant on it that you knew to be incorrect. All to pull a 'rope-a-dope', whatever that is.

Perhaps you should grow up, this is Issues for adult discussion of adult subjects Booners.

[Boon Mee]

^
Nothing incorrect about the article at all.
Shameful the way those troops were treated.
If there was a bit more Patriotism about, we wouldn't read about this sort of event...

[Texpat]

I'll be honest here -- As a US serviceman, whenever I went on a temporary duty assignment to Malaysia, Thailand, Mongolia or Philippines, we always changed out of uniform before going off the airfield.

I never had to change on the ramp, though. I'm sure some of the boys had a good time shaking their willies at the respectable-folk in the terminal.

In Japan and Korea it's commonplace to see US servicemen in uniform off base. Can't recall seeing any other nation.

To face this humiliation at home, among my countrymen ... shameful.

[AntRobertson]

Nothing incorrect about the article at all.

I didn't say there was anything wrong with the article. It's about as good as can be expected from the Daily Mail.

Shameful the way those troops were treated

Yes, it was.

If there was a bit more Patriotism about, we wouldn't read about this sort of event...

It has nothing to do with patriotism. The reasons behind it have already been clearly explained in this thread.

[Boon Mee]

It has nothing to do with patriotism. The reasons behind it have already been clearly explained in this thread.

It most certainly does.
If more folks supported their troops instead of casting them as second-class citizens, they wouldn't have to change out of their uniforms on the tarmac. Or, as was the case in Viet Nam - get spit on...