[flugelr]

Reading the various other topics about the forces has got me thinking. Lots of you say you would join as a last resort or if there was a WW3, but what I want to know is do you support the current, professional armed forces?

Would you, for example, go to a homecoming parade or Rememberance parade to cheer the soldiers or would you stay at home, not wanting to be a part of it?

I'm not asking if you agree/disagree with the Iraq or Afghanistan wars. I am asking if you are proud of the work they do and have done for hundreds of years all over the globe.

In addition do you think the forces are under-represented in our society? Do we need more education about them? Do we need more parades to reinstall our patriotic pride? Do we need soldiers to go into schools to educate about what we do, or need to make more cadet forces?

Personally I am in awe of forces. I am currently in the TA (going regular soon though) and have always been amazed at what soldiers, sailors and airmen can do, and have done, all around the globe.

I struggle to put into words my admiration for serving soldiers and veterans.

However, I feel that although many people do appreciate what the forces do, they don't show it, or perhaps don't know how to show it. Other people are just downright ignorant about them (I can think of several on this forum).

[Varsity]

Couldn't be more proud, and I think everyone should be!

[2026]

No, I'm not 'proud' of them. It's nothing personal against our Armed Forces though.

Just to clarify, I'm not ashamed of them. I just don't understand why I ought to be 'proud' of the Armed Forces anymore so than the Police Force or the Fire Brigade or any other public institution.

[flugelr]

(Original post by 2026)
No, I'm not 'proud' of them. It's nothing personal against our Armed Forces though.

Just to clarify, I'm not ashamed of them. I just don't understand why I ought to be 'proud' of the Armed Forces anymore so than the Police Force or the Fire Brigade or any other public institution.

I didn't say you should be more proud of them then you should be of the police etc.

[jjpp]

This is a really interesting question actually -gets me thinking.

I don't think I'd use the word proud, perhaps I am being pedantic , but I can't disassociate troops from what they are used for, and I'm not proud of war generally. But I would say that I am impressed by the vast majority of the troops' dedication to their country and I believe that many of them think that they are trying to make people's lives better and are trying to do that.

I go to remembrance services but I don't like the thought of a homecoming parade personally - I don't think we should be celebrating war or militarism and that can't be disassociated from the troops who undertake that.

[Bagration]

(Original post by Varsity)
Couldn't be more proud, and I think everyone should be!

^^^

This.

On the wall behind my bed I have my grandad's medals and a picture of him in the Army framed. There's nothing I am more proud of in the world than the military performance of my ancestors. I think all the people that suffered in German camps would and should be equally proud of the first British formation to cross the Rhine. If you don't like that, I don't care. You can piss off.

[Milady de Winter]

I'm proud, and I do attend Remembrance parades. The treatmant of veterans in Britain is poor - look at how many ex-soldiers end up homeless, with untreated post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.

[2026]

(Original post by flugelr)
I didn't say you should be more proud of them then you should be of the police etc.

Then we single out the armed forces?

Also, when you say we that we ought to be proud of the armed forces, do you mean the personnel, or the armed forces symbolically?

[Renal]

(Original post by 2026)
Then we single out the armed forces?

Presumably to trip over the amateur teenage socialists who can't differentiate between soldiers who go to war and the politicians who send them.

[Student2806]

I am fiercely proud of our Armed Forces. Whether they should or shouldn't be in Iraq (IMO they shouldn't) is irrelevant, because it's politicians who decide that.

Historically speaking, with WW1, WW2 and the Falklands, they have my 100% respect.

[2026]

(Original post by Milady de Winter)
I'm proud, and I do attend Remembrance parades. The treatmant of veterans in Britain is poor - look at how many ex-soldiers end up homeless, with untreated post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.

You have to realise that the treatment of ex-personnel is completely different from asking people to be proud of the armed forces.

[2026]

(Original post by Renal)
Presumably to trip over the amateur teenage socialists who can't differentiate between soldiers who go to war and the politicians who send them.

That's so funny. I'm not a socialist, so bad luck.

[Renal]

(Original post by 2026)
That's so funny. I'm not a socialist, so bad luck.

I know. You said the exact opposite in fact.

[Milady de Winter]

(Original post by 2026)
You have to realise that the treatment of ex-personnel is completely different from asking people to be proud of the armed forces.

Not exactly. Surely the treatment of ex-personnel is a reflection, not necessarily of public approbation of the armed forces, but certainly of the government's response. And I imagine that that will influence people on a wider basis. One of way of demonstrating pride in the armed forces, is to adequately support those who have been part of those forces.

[tired yet?]

I'm more proud of doctors and nurses.

[Renal]

(Original post by tired yet?)
I'm more proud of doctors and nurses.

Why?

[2026]

(Original post by Milady de Winter)
Not exactly. Surely the treatment of ex-personnel is a reflection, not necessarily of public approbation of the armed forces, but certainly of the government's response. And I imagine that that will influence people on a wider basis.

I think they should be provided with greater support after returning from service, however, they shouldn't be celebrated in my opinion.

(Original post by Milady de Winter)
One of way of demonstrating pride in the armed forces, is to adequately support those who have been part of those forces.

I'm not proud of military personnel. They do a job and get paid for it.

[Varsity]

(Original post by tired yet?)
I'm more proud of doctors and nurses.

Why? The level of service they offer cannot compare to that of the common soldier.

Now I love Doctors and Nursers, they do a wonderful job, but they are well paid and live at home.
Soldiers are generally poorly paid (at least when they first join) and spend much of their time away from their loved ones, often in hazardous but almost always in uncomfortable circumstances.

I think everyone in the NHS, and the police for that matter do a bang up job, but I don't personally think it compares to the job of a soldier.

Because of this I am very proud that there are people out there willing to put their life on the line for something more than themselves.

[tired yet?]

(Original post by Renal)
Why?

They chose to heal people rather than hurt them.

[nothingspek]

Of course I am.