Some pathetic individuals in Peterborough. Uniform ban in public for RAF | NEWS.com.au ROYAL Air Force (RAF) personnel at an air base in England have been ordered not to wear their uniforms in public following a spate of threats and abuse from civilians. The move comes amid a push by the Government to persuade more soldiers, sailors and airmen to wear their uniforms in public to try to improve ties between the defence forces and the public. But RAF commanders at a base near Peterborough have banned personnel wearing their distinctive dark blue uniforms in public after servicemen and women were targeted over their involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan as they walked through the Cambridgeshire town. The ban was reportedly imposed after a seven-month review of incidents involving personnel who lived in the city and had been abused in the streets while wearing their uniforms when they were off-duty. Defence Secretary Des Browne said he hoped the ban would soon be lifted. “We must defend our forces' right to wear their uniforms in public,” he said. “It is a great shame that some individuals in this community don't respect our forces, who are daily doing a great deal for this nation. This is not a situation we should tolerate.” Peterborough's local mayor Marion Todd, whose great-nephew is serving in Afghanistan, branded the abuse “despicable”. “It's a sad day for the city and for the country when the RAF can't wear their uniforms ... A small minority of people shouldn't be able to dictate to us,” she told The Times.
They have now been told to wear their uniforms with pride, and even our wash pot PM is telling them to do so. We'll see. Now to nuke Peterborough
I remember back in the late 70s, going home on leave wearing my uniform, I was called a baby killer by people in my street! But, during basic training when I home, I came down with a fever and went to see the family doctor. Now the surgery did not have a receptionist or appointments, you turned up and took your turn. However, I went in my best blues, and was sitting in the packed waiting room and Dr Gibb, who was a bluff speaking man, walked in, he pointed his finger at me and said "you first" to the growls of the people who had waiting longer than me! I went in, sat down and he examined me and declared me unfit to travel, he wrote out a note to take with me and had signed it, Lt Col RAMC(Rtd).
How come you never get too old to be shocked by stupidity??? A plague on the houses of those mindless individuals. I found the press coverage somewhat strange though - no incidents reported to the police - no evidence whatsoever that any Muslims were involved but all coverage implying that this was the root cause. Were the culprits those brainless idiots who also throw stones and the like at the emergency crews???
I feel quite sad that any British person would feel the need to abuse anyone who wears the uniform of the country's armed forces. There are people who don't agree with us being involved in Iraq and Afganistan but they have a political process for that. I wonder how many of them would be prepared to put themselves in harms way. Regards Hugh
Hugh I think the simple answer is .... none!!! I just cannot get my head around insulting people that you don't know, for what you think they stand for. This applies to the whole gambit doesn't it, race colour, creed, job, or whatever? I obviously prefer to save my insults for those close to me.
