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Aneirin -> RE: The armed services (11/22/2008 5:41:37 AM)
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One thing I learned about the military, is that the military respond to the civilians as Sir, in fact it was the running joke that a warrant officer with twenty seven years service leaves the service and is promoted on leaving. he is promoted to sir, the civilian
Gulf war 1, Desert storm, if you were military, you were gold, the civilian loved you, but after the operation had ended, if you were military, you were some form of pond life. Here in Britain it seems the military go through a love/hate relationship with the civilian depending on what is happening and how much fervour there is for the country at the time.
Desert Storm, I got a police escort once out of a traffic jam on the M6 because I was wearing my cabbage gear, trying to get back to my unit, I got to drive on the hard shoulder. Not that I was at that point involved with the actual conflict, but the police didn't ask that, I just thought myself lucky and went with it. An example of the fervour for the military at that time I suppose.
Another time, the time of the Falklands conflict, any civilian driving down south from Liverpool took Squaddie back packs and stuff with them, the reason being injured squaddies had been taken to a location down south, but their gear was taken up north, many civilians transported damp muddy packs in the back of their cars to reunite with their owners.
That was then, something has changed I think, there is not the love for the squaddie now, maybe it is because we all know Iraq is an illegal war. Afghanistan, not many I know have much clue why things are going on over there, most think it an extension of the Iraq conflict. In fact most Squaddies I talk to know this, but they also know they signed up for it and must go where they are sent, like it or lump it.
Maybe it is that when a person gets drunk, the feelings come out, the depression, all of it and they question their involvement. Maybe it is they think to counter their feeling by thinking they are doing what they do for the civilian, it eases their mind, possibly it is that some get the feelings of grandeur to kid themselves in their thoughts. Many have feelings of grandeur, a grandeur that is false in society today. It could even be people who have personal issues join the forces in the false belief that they will become someone by wearing a uniform, they will by their appearance command respect. My time it was we didn't say who we were because of the PIRA threat, but being military it was painfully obvious to most what you did for a living.
The saying is, when the drink is in, the sense is out bears well in Colouredins situation- for all parties involved.
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