Military Power

Today...thank a soldier for their duties and services for your country. If you see a man/woman in uniform, politely ask to shake their hand or give a salutation of praise towards them for their courage and devotion. Appreciate all that they have done for you, and regret nothing for what they may have done. Show your support, and don't be bashful in saying 'Hi' to a stranger off the street. Soldiers all over the world appreciate your support, and know that if there is at least one person caring...then they won the battle and achieved what they are fighting for.

What a quaint idea! Wouldn’t work over here in the UK though. Anyone wearing military uniform in public over here you would stand a very high chance of getting attacked in the street. To say nothing of being thrown out of any Hotel, School or Public Library they might chance to enter.

That's sad news Hobilar. Well, I don't really know what to say about that, and every country's civilians are different on views of the military. I guess the best idea would just to thank them in private, if you personally know who is in the military in the UK. Of course, if it is customs we are talking about, I am not familiar with British customs and I don't know if that would fall under that ideal either. I know if I was visiting in the UK (hopefully that happens soon before I start reality) I would thank a British soldier for fighting for what they believe in.

I do this as much as I can, because any soldier deserves the respect from the civilian they protect.

But I have a question for Hobilar, and I do not mean to be nosy.

Hobilar wrote:What a quaint idea! Wouldn’t work over here in the UK though. Anyone wearing military uniform in public over here you would stand a very high chance of getting attacked in the street. To say nothing of being thrown out of any Hotel, School or Public Library they might chance to enter.

Is the British military think down the lines of "God Save The Queen", and fight to protect the Queen and State? In the United States we fight for 'freedom', still trying to really define what freedom means....definitely not free from taxes, and the freedom to vote (but even then, voting in the US is about the equivalent of throwing a deck of cards at a tank in hopes of stopping it). But do civilians in the UK respect the Queen as they may have done 200 years ago? Or is that way of thinking dwindling? Because if the the troops fight to protect Queen and State, then civilians attacking British soldiers on the streets would be an act against the Queen then right? I'm just trying to comprehend some things here.

Protection of the Royal family is provided by the Specialist and Royalty Protection Command which is a part of the Royalty and Diplomatic Protection Department, of London's Metropolitan Police Service, currently commanded by Chief Superintendent Stephen Grainger. As such the service falls under the responsibility of the Home Office, not the Ministry of Defence,

The MoD provides a detachment (usually) from the Brigade of Guards and Household cavalry to ceremonial duties and to protect certain public buildings (including the Royal Palaces). As far as I am aware these military personnel have no power of arrest but can assist the police if called upon to do so.

The executive government is vested nominally in the Crown, but for practical purposes in a Committee of Ministers that is known as the Cabinet. The head of the ministry and leader of the Cabinet is the Prime Minister and for the implementation of policy, the Cabinet is dependent upon the support of a majority of the members of Parliament in the House of Commons. Within the Cabinet, Defence matters are the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Defence.

For major situations (like the commitment of British forces to a combat situation) the Monarch, as Head of State, retains the right to be consulted by the Prime Minister of the Day for Royal permission to proceed. In addition all Officers (including Warrant Officer) receive their commissions by Royal Warrant and all members of the Armed Forces are obliged to swear an oath of allegiance to “The Queen, her heirs and successors” as a part of their enlistment ceremony.

The Crown has close ties with the British Armed Forces with many members of the Royal Family (including the Queen herself) having personally served in uniform.

So, with the Prince in the Armed Forces, does his rank really matter?

It is sad that members of the British Armed Forces are treated so badly. I'm really sorry to hear that.

Luther Sloan wrote:So, with the Prince in the Armed Forces, does his rank really matter?

It is sad that members of the British Armed Forces are treated so badly. I'm really sorry to hear that.

I completely agree....it is sad that British soldiers are treated like that.

I thanked my friends (who recently came home from Iraq & Afghanistan), they are tired and wanting peace. Hopefully they shall be granted it, along with all soldiers in combat these days. I hope they have peace soon

Luther Sloan wrote:It is sad that members of the British Armed Forces are treated so badly. I'm really sorry to hear that.

I agree too. Very sad. Do you think there is any hope of that changing?