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Forces sweethearts

If you have a family member in the Royal Navy, RAF or army, find support from other Mumsnetters here.

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Original poster

Silly totally unimportant question

24 replies

VictorianSqualor · 30/04/2008 22:15

Do the soldiers have to wear their camo gear all the time, or is it choice, just I live in the village between an MOD estate and army barracks and always see soldiers in their cam,o wear, DS loves it, but I was wondering if they have to wear it or if it's choice?

OP posts:

hf128219 · 01/05/2008 06:53

It's their uniform. Like when policemen go to work! So generally speaking Monday - Friday 9 - 5 yes they have to wear it. And at other times when on duty.

shoshe · 01/05/2008 07:00

Unless like my DH he wears black Overalls to work

1st time DGD saw him in Uniform, she looked up and said

' Grandad you look like Actionman'

Original poster

VictorianSqualor · 01/05/2008 09:48

So if they're popping off to town, in their gear, does that mean they're on duty still?

OP posts:

pootleflump · 01/05/2008 09:50

Yes it does, they do get lunch breaks like everyone else- would you expect them to change into civvies just to pop into town then change back again into uniform?

Original poster

VictorianSqualor · 01/05/2008 09:54

Lol, no, of course not, I just didn't know if they had to wear it at all times or not because I always see soldiers in town or tescos or wherever in their uniforms.

OP posts:

littlelapin · 01/05/2008 10:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hf128219 · 01/05/2008 10:16

HM Forces are encouraged (in general) these days to wear their uniform in public. We are proud of our Armed Forces. Not only do they have the right to wear their uniforms in public when they are in the United Kingdom but we welcome the fact that they do!

LL - If you are usng a work PC be careful with useage! My dept has a special dedicated team monitoring people's use eg overuse of the internet, profanities etc. Some people have been fired.

hf128219 · 01/05/2008 10:20

Sorry LL - I was getting you mixed up with notyummy!

Original poster

VictorianSqualor · 01/05/2008 10:28

Thankyou, now I know I have no idea what I'll do with this information but I no longer have to wonder

OP posts:

littlelapin · 01/05/2008 10:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Nixz · 01/05/2008 11:02

Shoshe - thats lovely

Dp WOULD change into civvies if he was just nipping into town. He never wears them anywhere but work.

VanillaPumpkin · 02/05/2008 16:58

My dh gets changed to go to the shops and to and from work too....Old habits die hard I think...

Original poster

VictorianSqualor · 02/05/2008 17:00

Don't confuse me!

OP posts:

VanillaPumpkin · 02/05/2008 17:14

saltire · 02/05/2008 17:23

DH takes his hat off, and wears a coat over his uniform if he happens to be in town whilst on duty. But he is old school, been in 22 years, and remember the days of Irish terrorists. He doesn't wear greens though, unless on exercise.

pootleflump · 02/05/2008 20:08

But saltire, that's mixed dress and you're not supposed to wear mixed dress in public- fair enough covering up with a jacket when driving but not to walk about the streets.

It's not about flaunting it, but why should they be ashamed to be seen in public in their uniform?

When I lived in NI I had to dress in civvies to drive to work, get changed into CS95, get changed again into civvies to go home for lunch then back again into CS95 when I got back to work, then again into civvies to go home at end of play.

It's a total pain in the arse, but in NI it has to be done. Surely here in the mainland we deserve the luxury of not having to do that. I certainly wouldn't go shopping after work in uniform but if I had to pop out on a break to get something from the local shop I wouldn't be getting changed.

VanillaPumpkin · 02/05/2008 20:17

I don't think my dh is ashamed at all, but he doesn't like drawing attention to himself and wearing his uniform does that a bit.
He has been in 15 years and so I think the old rules have stuck. He even showers at work and then gets dressed in his uniform in the mornings.

Nixz · 03/05/2008 11:00

Vanillapumpkin - same here! DP has been in 16 years and we have been together 10 and he has always done it that way!
DP is very proud of the regiment he is in, proud is an understatement!

VanillaPumpkin · 03/05/2008 13:19

pootleflump · 03/05/2008 14:20

Don't think it's anything to do with time-served, myself and dh have been in just as long as yours have. I think it depends on where you're posted: if I was at a small unit in a large town I'd avoid having to go into town in uniform as I don't like drawing attention to myself either.

However, when posted to a large unit in a small town/village where civvies are the minority and seeing squaddies about in uniform is 10 a penny, it wouldn't bother me to pop into town in uniform as people wouldn't bat an eyelid.

Sidge · 03/05/2008 14:23

My DH wears ovies so he travels in civvies.

Don't think he would be too welcome in the paper shop wearing greasy overalls

Sidge · 03/05/2008 14:24

And when I was in the Navy we weren't allowed to wear our uniform into town - it was just after the Gulf war so it was deemed too risky

Original poster

VictorianSqualor · 03/05/2008 14:33

You know pootleflump that may be a verygood point.
Where I live is a small village, the bigger estate is majoirty MOD plus there is a barracks and two or three admin places too so the uniform is seen a lot and soldiers are 'ten a penny' maybe they just feel more comfortable than in other places.

OP posts:

Berryred · 15/05/2008 18:41

my dh never wears his out in town! when he was here (he's working away now!) he cycled to work then got changed, then did the same coming home

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