Cadets Banned From Parading With Rifles, or why we will lose next time.

[Chas]

For those interested, this is the original article:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti....html#comments

Regards

Chas

[Highland Logan]

As to Tartan Hiker's challenge to keep this on-topic for this board, I would submit the following: does this decision bode ill for the future of other traditions? Like the exemption for the wearing of dirks or sgians dubh when wearing traditional Highland attire? Surely if such a time-honored tradition as a display of skill with harmless drill rifles can fall to political correctness, other traditions can fall too. Be assured that the forces behind this decision will not stop at drill rifles.

I don't think this is how he meant the challenge. I would say that at the end of the day, this is a story which is from another country, and as much as most on this board would not like it if their country's laws etc. were being debated by outsiders, than maybe everyone from outside of the UK should leave this discussion to them.

Frank

[Jordan]

For my tuppence. I think they were right, the Sea cadets were banned from carrying rifles on parade a few years ago and as far as I’m aware Air cadets have never carried rifles on parades, (Alex might know better).

Rifles are illegal over here anyway and most of the army cadets I've ever met wouldn’t be trusted here with a sharpened fork.

Remembrance day should be about remembering those from previous war as well as those currently serving in the armed forces all over the world and I think the cadets having to worry about what they’re doing with rifles will distract them from that as well as the general public.


Jordan

P.S. I would vote towards closing this thread now before anyone gets upset about it.

[xman]

Perhaps I'm a bit fuzzy here, but isn't the point of an ARMY academy to act as a pre-prep for later service?

No. The point is to develop self discipline, self confidence, dress and deportment and leadership skills. They use the tools they have at hand and as those are military, the flavour is unshakeable. We almost never paraded with rifles as cadets. We learned the drill and had a rifle brigade. We fired .306 at the long range. We froze our hands numb at every Remembrance Day parade, but we never carried weapons that day.

[Woodsheal]

So much sturm und drang over hunks of steel and wood! Perhaps they could parade with umbrellas instead....

[artificer]

Comment retracted in the interest of forum friendliness.

[tripleblessed]

I intend this comment to be aimed in a different direction than politics or weapons
directly. Armistice Day and Remembrance day parades are intended to get people to reflect on the price of conflict, irrespective of political system. The
individuals we honor did not suffer a groin pull dancing around a maypole, or
lose control of a caber. They willingly put themselves in harm's way for the perceived greater good, irrespective of system. To honor them, we HAVE to acknowledge what they put themselves through. Insert here submarine dive klaxon and p.a. warning; PERSONAL OPINION FOLLOWS. TO WIT: To sanitize that process absolutely DISHONORS what they gave us. Rather than do such a thing it might be better to just cancel all observation.

Just me. Not about countries, systems or weapons. About honor, about community, about citizenship, about censorship.

[Highland Logan]

I intend this comment to be aimed in a different direction than politics or weapons
directly. Armistice Day and Remembrance day parades are intended to get people to reflect on the price of conflict, irrespective of political system. The
individuals we honor did not suffer a groin pull dancing around a maypole, or
lose control of a caber. They willingly put themselves in harm's way for the perceived greater good, irrespective of system. To honor them, we HAVE to acknowledge what they put themselves through. Insert here submarine dive klaxon and p.a. warning; PERSONAL OPINION FOLLOWS. TO WIT: To sanitize that process absolutely DISHONORS what they gave us. Rather than do such a thing it might be better to just cancel all observation.

Just me. Not about countries, systems or weapons. About honor, about community, about citizenship, about censorship.

Now this is from the Veterans Affairs Canada website;

"By remembering their service and their sacrifice, we recognize the tradition of freedom these men and women fought to preserve. They believed that their actions in the present would make a significant difference for the future, but it is up to us to ensure that their dream of peace is realized. On Remembrance Day, we acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of those who served their country and acknowledge our responsibility to work for the peace they fought hard to achieve."

Now in Canada, our cadets do not bear arms on parade. It's my opinion that the point of Remembrance Day is to hope that these and all our children will not have to raise arms in the defense of their own country or those of their allies. And as I stated earlier, unless you are a citisen of the UK, then you really have no business chastising how they chose to run their own country... Did their citizens not earn the right to chose their own path by their own sacrifices during their many wars?


Frank

[Jordan]

I intend this comment to be aimed in a different direction than politics or weapons
directly. Armistice Day and Remembrance day parades are intended to get people to reflect on the price of conflict, irrespective of political system. The
individuals we honor did not suffer a groin pull dancing around a maypole, or
lose control of a caber. They willingly put themselves in harm's way for the perceived greater good, irrespective of system. To honor them, we HAVE to acknowledge what they put themselves through. Insert here submarine dive klaxon and p.a. warning; PERSONAL OPINION FOLLOWS. TO WIT: To sanitize that process absolutely DISHONORS what they gave us. Rather than do such a thing it might be better to just cancel all observation.

Just me. Not about countries, systems or weapons. About honor, about community, about citizenship, about censorship.

You have a good point. My opinion was based on being a cadet and now a member of staff and personaly I feel that giving cadets something else to "play with" be it a weapon or a stick or (Insert something here) Will detract them from the occasion, Which is the main thing.

I think we are agreed.

[tripleblessed]

I was not chastising anyone about their governmental system or how anyone chooses to run their country. I was speaking of honoring the dead and the sacrifices they made. In the same way that we cannot judge the Inquisition or the enslavement of the masses by feudal peerage, we must honor the dead in the spirit of their time and the manner and intent of their service. Most of my forebears were good people, some absolute jackals. I don't judge their actions by today's understanding. I can honor that in their time they did their best to provide for those for whom they cared and those to come.

The article said the ban was based on ONE complaint BY ONE person. That's not how any of our countries are run today.

And I might remind one that without government by one or a very small minority, I most probably would still BE a citizen of the UK. My family fought the Romans, fought the Saxons, fought the Angles, fought the Vikings, fought all comers in the attempt to create a system that would provide peace and abundance for all. That we haven't yet succeeded is not their fault. I WILL HONOR THEM ALL. And their blood, shed in Essex, Wessex, Wales, the Borders, the Highlands, and most of Ireland, IMHO,has bought me the right to express that opinion. You're welcome to any opinion you care to wave about, only as long as others can do the same. It may seem ironic to some that one would come on a public forum to tell people to shut up.

Apologies to any offended, as no offense is offered, only hopefully civil
discussion.