New Ranks
Call it what you want, but all this change in 'bling' is political branding of the military. The Liberals did it in the late 1960s when unification transformed the uniforms and rank to something very generic and 'less British'. Nearly a half-century latter the Conservatives did their best to change it all back and now the Liberals are putting their touch on it. Anyone care to wager how long it will be until the Liberals repaint the PM's Airbus to get rid of the new look it took on during the Conservative reign?
Who needs major equipment purchases or even adequate medical care for the military when we keep messing with essentially meaningless trivial details like 'Vimy Stars' and RCAF Officer's braid?
As for loads of it turning up at shows, don't hold your breath; as most military personnel either toss the old insignia in the trash or keep a tin of it squirreled away in the basement only to flog it at a garage sale the next time they move.
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