Quote:
Originally Posted by Seathanaich
Thank you for posting this thread, with original source documentation for us all to cut, paste, and file.
Shootemup, Servie Pub, and Michael Dorosh have all effectively summarised the arguments in favour of these changes, and the arguments against the "but-why-don't-they-buy-bullets-instead" camp.
A fairly substantial percentage of the military make noises about how they "hate" medals and ribbons and ceremony, yet secretly appreciate and value such things, particularly after they are retired. A good indication of this is how the crappy chrome versions of cap badges my unit made in the 1990s all seemed to get "accidentally" broken when a new and much more attractive version were purchased by the regiment in the early 2000s.
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I think you have summarized the main problem: "yet secretly appreciate and value such things,
particularly after they are retired". Ex-service personnel making decisions on dress long after they retire. They were probably the most vocal "haters" in the first place, and have just forgotten what they had to endure as they collect their VA pension for all the wear and tear on their bodies caused by all the bad kit the CF bought over the years. Again, I am tired of having to watch my young soldiers buy kit because the CAF can't be bothered to use their limited resources wisely. Look at the speed in which new rank has been implemented, yet the rank and file have been begging for a new Tac-vest for a decade. I probably have a dozen pair of boots, but I am only allowed to wear one pair because the chain of command won't allow me to wear any of the non black boots they have issued me over the years (JBs, deserts, etc). My solution, I had to go buy a pair of boots at my own expense downtown, but if I injure myself while wearing them I won't be covered, yet they can't issue me, or replace the one pair I have because they are "out of stock". I am all for tradition, but not at the cost of my soldiers health.