Veterans Lapel Badges

[Hammy_Junior]

I know it wasnt a dig at me Led but times do change, I can quite happily say that my time as an Infantry man not once did I shoot or be shot at. In my tour of Iraq I emptied my magazine (and filled my pants) on more than one occasion. As for the band thing I couldnt agree with you more mate, in my time as a shiny **** clerk it was staff officers who used to do the minimum and get a medal, I know of a Major in the Royal Signals who deployed 4 days before the UN became IFOR in Bosnia and got both medals!!!!!! There other favorite when stationed overseas was to spend the maximum amount of time away before Residual LOA kicked in and then stay in Germany the maximum time would allow that they didnt lose LSSA, now thats dodgy.

using your equation only my 2 NATO tours (Bosnia and Kosovo) dont class as Combat medals (i didnt think they did anyway lol).

[led9750]

cheers Ham
If think you get my point [a bit anyway][ and i get yours] i think we all have different jobs and maybe its just the word Veteran i have a problem with , i dont consider myself one i was just a guy in the army.
This means i will not be asking for a badge.Maybe the badge ought to read member of Hm forces

Cheers ham
led

[richie264]

VETERAN... a person who has grown old in or had long experience of (esp. military) service or occupation.

[Clive Rees (08)]

Sorry don't know you Led.

But surely you need the cogs to turn the wheel!!!

Regards

Clive

[ap1]

I agree with Led to a point about the Veteran Badge, in that I dont feel like a Veteran, so the badge stays in the box.

I disagree with the clerk/non combatant bit. I think that Leds comments probably reflect that during his and my own period of service, we were involved in small conflicts, primarily JNCO/Pl Comd led engagements against small units, and those in a supporting role, were sometimes a little detached from what was going on. But that did not diminish their role. In the last decade though, things have changed, as the engagements are on a larger scale.

I'm reminded of the young L/Cpl Chef in Gorazde, who during the period that the Serbs took the BIH positions, continued to cook food for about 150 men in a 24x24 tent, whilst rifle companies/Recce and Tac, remained under hard cover. Whilst all this was going on the Muslims and Serbs were at full scale war literally fighting over the top of this young lad's head(Never had Percy Sugdens classic line "I've cooked eggs under fire" been more appropriate).

Indeed to collect the boys food, CQMS's drove to the tent in Saxons. the food was placed into the rear, we than drove the short distance to the Colpro/Pits that the guys were living in, and doled out the scoff.!!!!! Meanwhile the slopjocky with only tent fabric for cover continued to prepare drina mash on a wood burning stove.......During those few days, he was one guy I wouldn't have swapped places with....his actions were later recognised with a commendation, which was very deserved.

During that same period our company clerk ...Jefford, narrowly escaped being killed when a mortar round hit the sandbagged sanger he was on stag in whilst protecting the rest of us.

[stu reed]

I remember the "CQMS food runs" made to the A Coy Colpro in Gorazde very well.(i was with Mortors then) that chef not only cooked in that tent but, chopped the wood and kept that fire going non stop for months, even with all that snow and rain!

As the tours come round more frequent, in ever more hostile enviroments, the lads and girls go away to more intense fighting than ever before. Without the CSS, everything would grind to a halt. In times of conflict/tours they are not only doing their own trade but they are the life support, stretcher bearers, ammo carriers, radio op, stagging on like the rest and anything else the are told to do by the CSM/CQMS.It doesnt matter what part of the Armed Forces you were in, it is "Soldier First", trade second

My lapel badge was posted to me along with my discharge Red Book, I had no idea I would get one. When I recieved it I thought of a "Veteran" as WW2, Korea, Falklands, Gulf War and those fighting in Afghanistan etc so mine will stay in the box as I would not feel right wearing it.

[Hammy_Junior]

With useful comments now in and this leading to a good hearty debate could we not set up a poll.

1. Have you got a veterans Badge?

2. Have you ever worn it?

3. Will you wear it in say 20 years time when you may feel more like a veteran?

My answers by the way are yes, once, yes.

I left the Army just under 2 years ago and wanted to "wash my hands with it all", but when I got an E mail telling me about this site I quickly remembered all my army service but especially my 13+ years with the RWF. My medals, veterans badge, beret and hackle got dusted off and worn with pride at church on 11th Nov and will continue to do so for the rest of my life. I never became a member of the comrades association something thast I hope to be able to correct in the near future.

Am I a veteran? using Ritchie 64's termanogy then yes, but I'm only 41, reasonably healthy and still have a full head of naturally coloured hair.

Do I feel like a veteran, no not really, in the days were media and press (and to a certain degreee the government) are trying to keep the forces high on the public agenda with welcome home parades, fairer treatment for the injured etc etc then maybe we should show that we "did our bit" for a long time and wear our badge with pride when ever possible.

[Paul Davies 701]

Just to get my four-pence in I for one am proud to wear the veterans pin badge. Unfortunately due to circumstances I only did the tours of Northern Ireland as that was the only conflicts going on at that time, if I'd been in longer perhaps I would have been in the later conflicts. However, whilst I do not consider myself a veteran on the scale of the lads from the world wars or for that matter on the scale of the lads serving in Iraq or Afghanistan I did my time and appreciate being recognised for it, lets be honest there is very little appreciation going on out there as it is. I do however agree with Led regarding soliders going to a conflict for the minimum number of days just to get a medal, however where I disagree is whether you served as a cook, clerk, etc, etc EVERYONE has a role to play if you did the full tour or were injured in that tour whether you were in the rear with the gear or up front with the grunts YOU DID YOUR TIME and are just as entitled to wear your badge, medals with the same pride as anyone else.

[Hammy_Junior]

cheers Ham
If think you get my point [a bit anyway][ and i get yours] i think we all have different jobs and maybe its just the word Veteran i have a problem with , i dont consider myself one i was just a guy in the army.
Maybe the badge ought to read member of Hm forces

Cheers ham
led

I do get your point but without wanting to sound a bit cocky if you look at the picture of the badge (or your own if you have one in a box it does say HM Armed Forces Veterans Badge.

Regards mate
Hammy

[led9750]

Hi all
glad i got everyone going again , but i stick with my guns [ well there pretty good guns] I cant see why having a bar on a medal or a badge of the job you did for that medal is Embarrassing[It must be most of you have moand abount it] . You cant compare Being a waiter in the Sgts mess [ Sombody else to annoy] To being a soilder on the ground.
I have a drink now and again down town [Haverfordwest] And i have never Heard any ex Army Braging abount Serving the Sgts/ officers Their Breakfast , But i Do hear **** abount how Tough it Was [Tales Of glory] .
If the name of there job was on a bar on a medal /badge that Will tell us The Story .
In the meantime to the Members of the Band and the Clerks of the world , There.s nothing wrong with having brains

Thanks to all
Led