To not understand the point of 'Armed Forces Day'?

[Runny]

I see Jeremy Corbyn is getting attacked by the right wing press yet again for going to Glastonbury (and getting a bigger crowd than Radiohead did last night) instead of attending Armed Forces Day in Liverpool.

Now pardon my ignorance but what is the actual point of 'Armed forces Day'? It sounds like the sort of thing that The Sun newspaper would campaign for, actually I wouldn't be surprised if they did. It's all a bit pointless, and we already have Rememberance Sunday to honour those killed in combat.

I don't know where this over sentimentally for the armed forces has come from over the last 15 years or so? Not saying they don't do a good job, but why are they coming in for special treatment? Why not an emergency services day, or an NHS workers day or a teachers day?

I'm prepared to get flamed for this btw, but I genuinely don't see why we even have it?

I do not think they are particularly well paid.

I agree, and since they've brought in the NEM they aren't even guaranteed a pay rise on promotion.

So many people grumble about the armed forces but they're quite happy when they step in when the fire service go on strike or when they assist with the flooding and everything else they do.

They didn't add much to help the peace situation in N. Ireland - quite the contrary!!!!but I still think the British Government has short changed them - injured in the line of duty - they should not be relying on charity to help them recover.

I think you're right, OP. I hate the way that, according to the right wing press, everyone in the armed forces is automatically a Hero with a capital H. It's cynical, and it does no-one any favours. And you can bet that the reality is that The Sun would never have so much as mentioned Armed Forced Day until they realised it potentially gave them a stick to beat Corbyn with.

Totally agree with @RyanStartedTheFire. Husband no longer in the forces but during the 7 years we did, he was called 'baby killer' countless times, spat on in the street and we also lived on a pad estate (armed forces housing community) which was targeted by people who didn't agree with the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

I spent most of this time working for a high profile military charity and in my opinion, Armed Forces Day was created on the back of the surge of support military charities began to receive when men and women were commonly coming home from Iraq/ Afghanistan with life changing injuries. In that regard, AF Day was great for our fundraising and although I no longer work in that sector, I and most other people that do, are generally of the opinion that yes, the government should be providing this care but they're not so let's get on with it like charities have been doing since the First World War.

I've also got to say: as much as it would be naive to think that every person in the forces is wonderful or a hero, credit must be given to young men and women who, instead of doing a run of the mill, comfortable job, decide to uproot their lives for years on end and voluntarily put themselves in very dangerous situations.

It might not warrant adoration but I think having the balls to do that should, at least, command a bit of respect.

@FlossyMooToo I think that's a bit strong. Although I also don't agree with the recruitment point made by @RyanStartedTheFire I don't think name calling is necessary.

Yes my DP is an idiot because he's been told it is a recruitment drive by his own bosses in the army.

Idiots a bit stong....erm ok then

There's a difference between those who've died and those who are currently serving

Ffs they literally put their lives on the line for you and you reduce it to a right wing agenda.

Well I think it's despicable that members of the forces are subjected to abuse, that's not acceptable at all. Interesting idea that its used as a form of recruitment, I hadn't thought of that.

Ryan I have spent allday at my citys AFD as I have done the last few years as part of my job and 6 months as part of the planning team. I can assure you recruitment is not the point of it at all.
I am sorry your DP has been fed dud info.

Most other countries have an equivalent.

Just to add AFD is organised by the councils not the armed forces.
Armed forces and armed forces charaties are invited to take part but they do not run or plan the event. Councils do so to give thanks and raise funds.

@FlossyMooToo is this how childishly you respond to people who don't agree with you in real life? Are you 10?

'I don't like what you're saying so I'm going to call you an idiot'

I'm surprised you've managed to keep a job with that sort of attitude

Okay then Flossy, they don't get a boost in recruitment from AFD at all. They literally have a recruitment van set up in our city centre and that's pretty much it and we are one of the most important army cities in England. No one is going to tell you they want recruitment out of it, but it is a big goal of theirs.
There's a reason they aren't required to work on AFD. The regiment my DP works for isn't even doing an AFD as they don't recruit like that. You can say it's dud info all you like. One of the main motivating factors is recruitment.

There were 40 stalls in my city today and only 1 recruitment stall. The rest were forces charaties and various regiments doing displays.
I am not saying they dont recruit what i am saying is that recruitment is not what AFD is all about. As I said the day is organised by the councils so not run by the AF soley just to recruit.

AFD is not purely for recruiting however it is a perfect opportunity to recruit. Recruiting is a massive part of the army but it's not the be all and end all.

If it was a genuine day to support and "give thanks" like Remembrance Sunday we would be all over it being a family of AF and living in an SF town. I will rephrase and say - the army's role in AFD is to use it as a day of recruitment. You must see how the whole thing does serve as a giant recruitment drive though? Even with additional stalls.

I live in an army town. I went into town this afternoon. Nothing. Not one recruiting stall, military charities or anything. Maybe there was something on at the army camp which is the other side of town to where I live.

You wouldn't have a clue it was Armed Forces Day - and I didn't, btw. However there was a recruiting stall in town last week.

To be honest a day that's been in existence for a few years doesn't bother me one way or the other. I do think we should treat them better though.

Also, people saying AF don't get shit - that lady just called my DP an idiot!

Sorry but it is not just a recruitment drive at all. There were many more charity stalls than army stalls. The ones we did have were the reservists and disbanded regiments plus 1 recruitment stall which we have a permenant recruitment building in our city anyway.
As i keep saying the event is run by the council with the purpose being to give thanks and raise funds.

Strangly army recruitment peaks during November and May more so than any other time of year.

@RyanStartedTheFire yes but she's going to ignore that now and pretend it didn't happen because she's feeling a bit silly!

The problem is that AFD looks a contrived activity designed to deflect from the political decisions that put them in harms way and lack of care that eventually leads to problems (see Alexander Blackman).

No soldier should get abuse about where they are deployed and why. It isn't their decision. Every soldier who gets injured should be far better supported than they are.

However, the right wing cult of the armed forces needing carte blanche societal worship is wrong. The right wingers see the glorification of the sacrifices of the soldiers is to, by extension, automatically approve of and support the military actions they are sent on.

Its like the shaming of people for wearing no poppy or the white poppy (which is what I wear). I have recently moved to Ireland and there is a somewhat different attitude to the British Army here....

Not at all beserious i stand by my first comment. Even more so to find he is AF.

It all serves as recruitment in the root of it though. People talking about AF, heroes, days to celebrate these brave people. I have no issues with recruitment, but this IS recruiting even in an indirect manner. Celebrating the career and praising the soldiers is encouraging people to view the career in a positive light and make them want to join. I take back the comment that it's the ONLY reason for it as your town has gone all out which does not seem to be the norm but it will certainly be why it is so encouraged. Numbers are low at the moment - they are crying for people. Number always dip when we aren't actively at war and people sign off when there isn't anything 'big' going on. Anything that will recruit will be very actively encouraged by the government, councils, and especially the Armed Forces obviously.