Todays award presentations

[Peter Brydon]

I just wonder why all the recipients of medals shown on todays news bulletins are wearing combat dress, whilst the high ranking officer presenting the awards is in No.2 dress.

Are we so hard up that we cannot afford to put our troops in a more formal style of uniform or is it so that the recipients, irrespective of rank, are all dressed the same ?

P.B.

[54Bty]

Originally Posted by 8thfoot

I just wonder why all the recipients of medals shown on todays news bulletins are wearing combat dress, whilst the high ranking officer presenting the awards is in No.2 dress.

Are we so hard up that we cannot afford to put our troops in a more formal style of uniform or is it so that the recipients, irrespective of rank, are all dressed the same ?

P.B.

I'll go for that one.

Marc

[badger123]

Let me say that my comments in no way are intended to detract from the brave actions of these men and women (some of whom are from my sons battalion) and their undoubtedly deserved awards.

But I do have to say that this 'wheeling out' of a selected few of the recipients of awards (which seems to have become common place in recent times) feels to me a little contrived.

Whilst I appreciate the need to publicise such important awards, I feel sorry for the selected few who are lined up for the media and to be frank, the expressions on their face said to me they just did not want to be there! Is it just me or did they all (to a man and woman) look uncomfortable sat as a group in front of the cameras? In fact, it reminded me of the footage of the POW's shown by the Iraqis during the 1st Gulf War or the sailors taken captive by the Iranians.

Having said that, when interviewed individually, to each soldier's credit, they all told a similar story "I was just doing my job" or "this award is for the whole of my platoon" etc. Their modesty says a lot about the type of people they are and they way they are paraded for the media says a lot about the people running the show.

Ivan