RAF told not to wear their uniform in public

[saltire]

here.
Just a few weeks ago the tossers MOD came out and said that all military personnel should be albe to wear their uniforms in public. Then things like this happen. In the USA, military personnel get respect when they wear their uniforms in public, even though a lot of people disagree with the involvement of USA/UK in Iraq.
DH joined up in 1986. It was a time when Irish terrorism was rife, and he was told then not to wear his uniform in public - he still doesn't. he wears a normal jacket over the top, although he can do that with the RAF day to day uniform.

not upset at all

My best girl friend is in the police, and she keeps her uniform in her locker, so goes to and from work in "normal" clothes.

I think with uniform (especially police), you usully think they are at work when you see them in the street, so this would be a very good reason to change at work.

It is a real shame when the armed forces are told not to wear their uniforms in public. It may be odd to want to do so, but they should be free to if they want, and shouldn't feel vulnerable if because of circumstances they can't change out of them. This new order isn't because of terrorist attacks, like with the IRA, but because of abuse. It's crazy.

I have been abused when wearing uniform in public - and it's really hard to bite my tongue when I hear some of the claptrap being aimed at me. I've been asked "How many babies have you killed?", "How dare you come in here (it was Sainsbury's BTW) with us decent people" and (when with dd) "People like you shouldn't have kids"

Actually the last one was quite funny in a way because it was a woman with a small crying baby (maybe 4 months) in her arm and a cigarette in her mouth (woman not baby ). Babies blanket was covered in ash.....I just smiled and asked if baby was crying because it needed more Nicorette

We've also had it on here - remember Pan and the military = baby killers thread?

However, conversely I've also had old boys come up and shake my hand and little kids chase up to me full of questions (mainly the "Are you a soldier? Where is your gun? What do you mean you cant carry it about?"

Generally (sweeping statement ahoy) the very old and very young are fine, its the 20-30's that have given abouse. But I'll keep wearing my uniform whilst I'm allowed, I'm proud of it, and of the job I do, surely it's my right.

abuse obviously lol

I work for a US business and the head of the business has asked all employees to thank people in uniform, whether armed forces, police, fire service or others, when we get the opportunity. We are even entitled to buy them a coffee or pick up their tab in a bar, and plenty of my US colleagues do.

However, I just wonder what the reaction would be in the UK if I did that, and that is from an ex-army family of 22 years. I currently restrict myself to sending parcels and e-blueys to dh's mates and serving them dinners when they come from from operations. Maybe I should get brave and try it, but I think uniformed personnel might look at me strangely - because of the current climate.

Mouse, good response about the Nicorette, I like that.

Spamm, fwiw, I think you'd get funny looks in this country buying random people coffee or paying for their drinks, regardless of political culture or what they were wearing, just a cultural thing. Shame, really.

Despite the rules being relaxed my DH will still not wear his uniform in public unless it is really really unavoidable. I wish he would because he looks gorgeous in it .
Plenty of people do wear it here if they are nipping out to do the school run or go to the Post Office etc but my DH is very uncomfortable about it.

Good for you Mousemate.

I love a guy in uniform but there have been cases of firemen/ambulancemen being abused on duty (which beggars belief) . OTOH there are also cases of young squaddies (in uniform) drunk and rolling about/fighting/vomiting of a night. At which point they cannot command any respect.

I'd be surprised to see young squaddies in uniform drunk and rolling about, unless it's on a camp. The rules as they stand are that we are encouraged to go about our daily business in uniform but certainly not to go into bars drinking. Soldier (sailors/airmen) can still be charged for 'Bringing the Army (Navy/RAF) into disrepute' - and the punishments are quite harsh. Where were these cases captainmummy?

Oh and Spamm. Funnnily enough, not that long ago I nipped into a coffee shop at a service station coming back from an exercise. I was in uniform, hadn't washed in a week and still had the remenents of cam cream on my face. Ordered two large coffees to go and when I tried to pay the guy behind the desk waved me away saying 'it's the least I can do'

Truthfully I was very grateful but - it's just I must have smelled really bad and was hoping to be more inconspicuous!!!!

I think it's a real shame that this has had to happened although I totally see where the Station Commander is coming from.

I used to be at RAF Wittering working in Peterborough and would often nip into town in my lunch break in my uniform. I never experienced any abuse but would have been very upset if I had. I was extremely proud to wear mine.

Mousemate - I will try it. I'll start small with a coffee or something like that, and see how I go. You never know, if enough of us are brave enough, we could start a trend!

I have been so proud to see the parades for returning troops such as in Winchester. I just wish they were better advertised, as I only hear about them on the news. But they bring a tear to my eye every time, as I remember what it was like when dh was away. And I also think of those troops in places like Headley court, who do not get any public recognition - some of dh's mates are really messed up, both physically and mentally as well.

I must stand by my convictions and I will try it. If I come back with hurt feelings and embarrassed 'cause some young soldier thought I was being sarcastic - oh well, I'll live.

Mouse - my dad was in the Army so we lived near (and on) army bases in Wiltshire. Some of the local pubs were notoriously 'squaddie' and no-go areas on friday/saturday nights. My sister and mum still live on the Plain and often see uniformed and civy squaddies causing trouble. Respect goes both ways.
I have to say though that it's ususally the younger hotheads, i have yet to see an officer misbehaving (outside the mess!)

Ha, the officers in the mess on the other hand.......