Younger veterans urged to 'use or lose' regimental associations

The Garrison Sergeant Major of London District has warned younger veterans to use their regimental associations or run the risk of losing them altogether.
Warrant Officer Class 1 Andrew 'Vern' Stokes, who earlier this year oversaw the delivery of the King's coronation, made the plea as some veterans told Forces News regimental associations were too formal, and that sometimes the older veteran community could be difficult to engage with.
The GSM issued his warning following a meeting of the Shropshire Branch of the Coldstream Guards Association - his own association - which he said recently faced a "make or break" situation due to a lack of participation in association activities.
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[@fatrick5004]

Part of the issue is many of the guys who did full careers are come across utterly obnoxious to those who didn’t. I recently had a 22 yr man mock my 6 yrs. the guy was a loser who had only ever been in the army and felt he was superior to us who hadn’t, who had gone on to have other careers. I have also been to other groups where it just becomes a battle of the medals and tours, which, again, is boring to those who have left the military behind. Honestly, I have found the best vets to be around are those not part of a formal association because they act like people, not like a rank they no longer have in a career they no longer do.

[@Richard500]

I've been a member of our Association for years now. I don't go to any of the events these days as I find I have little in common with so many. As it is I have about five real friends who I served with and we have all given up going to the organised events but we do keep in close contact with each other. I have never had anyone mock my length of service but I have found myself wondering how some of the members managed to serve as long as they did or indeed get to the ranks they did. I have enjoyed going to events, Remembrance Day at the Cenotaph and one of two "dinners" which for me are always a bit to far to travel too. I have choices in which Association to Join - there is a "local" Branch and the main one for me was specific to my trade. I think they are a heading down a road to oblivian though. I have not come across any members under 50 in the past few years as most of those I know personally are now in our 70s. The next "last veterans of" are currently going to be Korea, then Suez and Cyprus (EOKA) then Aden and on through NI (there are a great number how attend remembrance Sunday)... we shall see.

[@lewisdean22]

My regiment was disbanded, but they want us to be part of the new made up regiment.

[@ajbradley4617]

You're spot on with this mate I totally agree, and I think there are huge differences between the lads who served 30-40 years ago and now. I did 8 years then left to pursure another career, but 90% of the people around me left after 4. It was just a job to them (and to me too to be honest), so they can't really be expected to keep up with stuff like this - like you wouldn't expect people in any other career to do this either. I'm mates with vets now who I didn't know were vets when I immediately met them, either through work or social stuff, because that's only one part of them. There's absolutely nothing wrong with being proud of your service, but for me that's just a small part of my life now so I don't feel the need to involve myself any more.

[@bahoonies]

​@Richard500 Your comment about rank and service strikes a chord. At my local RBL there was an old boy, always dressed in sports jacket and cavalry twill trousers. He was addressed as Major, had a voice like a fog horn, and to listen to him banging on about being in the thick of it you'd think he won WW2 singlehanded. In short, he was a first class bore. Then someone thought to check his service record. It turned out that not only was he not a major, he'd served in the catering corps and had never been near the front. When the truth came out he never showed his face again.

[@s.wvazim6517]

@@lewisdean22 my country got disbanded..I feel the frustration

[@daz6637]

I left after 24 years, just over 9 years ago. I was absolutely sick of the Army, its systems and traditions that changed with every RSM, I couldn’t get away from the Sgts’ Mess fast enough. I did join my regimental association and the RBL, never used any of them as it was just not for me; maybe in the future. I am too busy getting on with life now and enjoying it. For some people it is a must and good on them, but for me the Army was a huge part of my life which is now in the past. I hope they do modernise and do excel.🇬🇧✊🏻

[@andyt3304]

I was refused entry to my local RBL branch despite being a member of the RBL and a serving soldier. The place was full of civvies and ran by civvies.

[@dereckparsons2170]

That is the biggest problem, a lot of places don't realise without the forces there will be no club for them to drink in

[@andyt3304]

@@dereckparsons2170 There isn't anymore. It was demolished about 6 weeks ago and now they are building flats on the site

[@MC14may]

I went into an RBL in Portsmouth a few years ago...full of locals bar maid was a civvy so was the chairwoman and she was woke as hell too.

[@benmoore3539]

@@MC14maymay shock you but you too are a civvy drinking in there 😂

[@taffdavies35]

Civvie as in never served.

[@isnwood7244]

I did 8 years RN. Left at 27 and went only once to local RBL, never again! Full of boring veterans who can’t escape the institutional attitude and who think they can order you about. Not a good place for those below 60. In 2020s people leave the forces to get away from the mentality not to go back and sit amongst Dads Army types.

[@abrahamdozer6273]

We have that problem here in Canada. I'm the "kid" in our local Naval Vet association and I'm 67. I have fellow Vets around me that fought in the Korean war, even. The hard part is going to be watching these old friends pass one by one. That is going to be a sad and lonely experience.

[@AirplaneDoctor_]

The RCL has been circling the drain for years, when membership was fully opened up to anyone who had zero connection to the military that was the red flag saying the end is approaching sooner rather than later.

[@abrahamdozer6273]

@@AirplaneDoctor_ It seems that the old WWII Veterans poisoned the well by not accepting Cold War and later veterans as "real" veterans earlier. I've heard from some of the really old folk that the WWII veterans were not accepted by the WWI veterans in the Legion circa 1945 because they hadn't fought "in a real war" if you can imagine.

[@AirplaneDoctor_]

​@@abrahamdozer6273I kind of understand that mentality from a certain perspective. Every war in the last 120 yrs has been fought differently so unless you served in multiple conflicts your view is based generally on your direct experience of one which will be permanently etched in your psyche. They weren't thinking of the RCL's future, only of the fact that they were being usurped by the new lads and that just wouldn't do.

[@abrahamdozer6273]

@@AirplaneDoctor_ Well, they left scorched earth behind them when they died. Forty year Legion members who are civilians who have never served but Grandpa did are telling Veterans to their faces that they are not real Veterans because no one shot at them.

[@pointsoflightradio9785]

That mindset doesn't surprise me

[@markriley2733]

54 yrs old. Left the Coldstream Guards 26 years ago, it was always on my todo list but the longer I left it the more I thought I’d left it too late. Just joined Aldershot branch last week! Never too late

[@vernstokes]

brilliant. well done Mark

[@GeordiePat1]

Ditto Mark well done.

[@hughtoler9860]

Well done

[@lewissmith3896]

Ditto.

[@Growlerinthebush]

Unfortunately I didn't really get on with our local REA, Morris dancers finished me and 1940's music, most were in 80's + and were too formal and were not open to change and won't change so I left.

[@exmilitarygaming13]

Is this story about regimental associations or the RBL, if it's about the RBL, we'll they can do one, just a business now

[@davidclark1545]

The trouble with these Associations is that the Officers and RSMs need to realise they are nobodies outside the army. They try to keep the distinctions after they have left.

[@user-zh9kc7tw4n]

Your looking at this the wrong way, the older vets could learn so much from the younger vets with tech and when you can connect the younger vets can learn so much form the older vets. Change can not be stopped it is the law of live if you do not change and adapt to the change you are going to be lost. Together we are always stronger.

[@GeordiePat1]

My Father was a Coldstream Guard and loved his Regiment and was so proud to serve in the Regiment. Sargient Sidney Bowes. May he R.IP. Miss you Dad

[@Ian20232]

Got out over 20 years ago. As I left I contacted my local association branch a couple of times. Never got back to me, never heard anything from them, so why should I be bothered if they close, they didn’t all those years ago.

[@robjow3645]

I am a veteran and this does not mean to upset anyone but check out the video and who he is talking to all grey hair over 70, but they have the right to be there. However, where is the place where 30 to 45's go ? The pub and spend money on food and drink either with family or not . I hate to say it, but they need to be more like a regimental pub than a bingo hall, especially as most towns closed their own regimental Pubs down . Satellite TV and sport are the only way as the generation gap is to big.

[@gringotom242]

As a 42 year old afghan veteran this doesn't appeal to me I'm afraid. I don't like having to dress smart in my free time, don't have much free time anyway, don't have a lot in common with older veterans, don't want to sit in a tired gentleman's club talking shop about a job i did over 10 years ago, can't really afford another 'hobby' either etc etc. I appreciate what these clubs do for things such as remembrance events, but they need to ask themselves why they seem universally unappealing to younger veterans. Another factor is that many of us didn't feel particularly well supported whilst we served and were glad to leave when we did for various reasons.

[@w.s.2102]

I'm a Canadian Afghan Veteran and feel the same way here........ had the pleasure of serving with you Brits for a bit in Kandahar in 2008, 42 Commando, top notch troops 🇨🇦 🇬🇧

[@bullet-catcherhohoho250]

So true.

[@robertjanes4812]

Andrew Stokes's comments are spot on. And very well done to the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers for grasping change. Association's provide more than a place for memories and banter. The recent COVID lockdown, for example, had branches keeping in frequent contact with their more elderly and vulnerable members. Keeping in touch is key. Fifty years ago, I heard belittling comments from the "old and bold". In recent times I have found the attitude to be rare. Veterans see the medals on the chests of today's fine young men and women, and they know most have seen some very nasty action. We must not reject the stalwarts in our attempts to recruit the more recently discharged men. It needs a strong willingness to change.

[@MK_RS5]

It's basically cadets for pensioners isn't it? That room looked like a retirement home.

[@ghostcardsandcollectables]

I got that impression also

[@j.cheese34]

I was medically discharged quite early on and my local association welcomed me in as there own and I couldn’t be more appreciative!

[@Grumfuttocks]

I was a member of my local RBL 30+ years ago when I was serving. I don’t class myself as a veteran just an ex serviceman who likes to reflect on my time in the army but it doesn’t define me.. I didn’t serve half my life, not even a quarter but did my bit and I’m proud to have done that

[@PhilWism]

I am a veteran, and I did look into joining the British Legion, however, when I found it was a free for all and anyone can join I decided not to join,

[@abrahamdozer6273]

I regret joining the Royal Canadian Legion. They have lost all connection with their roots. They claim to be there "for the Veterans" and they collect $Millions to that end but when you talk to the civilians that run the Legion, almost all of them don't recognize Cold War era veterans because we "didn't fight in a war". (... civilians that pin legion medals on each other)

[@taffdavies35]

My local RBL is run by civvies who have never been in the military and dont care about ex vets

[@dulls8475]

I left after doing 10 years and that was that. I said to myself, I am never going to march again or go near the many pks who I served with. Many of those pks make up the association and attend every do or bash. I went to a funeral of a former RSM and he was a great guy. Saw some of the pks still thinking they had rank or something. They seem to lead such sad lives. I often meet up with the friends I made whilst in but it is informal.

[@benwilson6145]

The question is why those ex service personnel do not go to these meetings. What are the associations doing wrong

[@TommyBahama84]

I think people leave the Army to leave the Army. They want to get on with their busy lives

[@Tetadeux]

partly its because leavers 20-50 years ago got superb pensions that were good enough to retire on. These days most people who leave the army will need to work for another 20+ years before they can retire, so the army becomes just another job to them.

[@TommyBahama84]

@@Tetadeux valid point

[@fenpest4150]

​@@TommyBahama84I found over time in the army, I grew to despise the hierarchy. Those same people that I despised are most likely the ones in the associations.

[@TommyBahama84]

@fenpest4150 I can't say I agree with that, but there's plenty that the Army could do with changing. It's its own worst enemy sometimes.

[@DraigBlackCat]

I have to ask, following amalgamations and increasing contraction of the roll (a shocking state of affairs), why are individual local regimental branch associations needed? The forces need to sponsor a single, or a few, nationwide association(s) where those who served can come together and where there is scope for regimental sections within that base, making use of comms like the Fusiliers' app. But for heaven's sake, don't just make these open to anyone, like Royal British Legion clubs were!

[@TommyBahama84]

Some people just can't leave the mess behind

[@grahambarber2766]

Well said.

[@DavidRichards-t2r]

I am a member of The Vehicle Specialist Fellowship, a branch of the RAOC Ssociation. We are about to hold our 34th Annual reunion at wich we will have about 140 atendees, we have a branch in Hong Kong and are in touch with members world wide, we have our own website as well as several facebook pages we are currentlt running an extremely healthy bank balance and run events throughout the year. We have over recent years connected with members of the RLC who carry out similar duties that we are selves carried out and much to our delight they have started to attend our functions. I suppose the point I am making is these associations and branches will survive if an effort is made.

[@DavidRichards-t2r]

Could I just add that I did try a mess of the Fellowship of the Services, I was made extremely welcome, as the baby, I enjoyed the social occasions and the banter. However the FOS was set up in a way that meant the rules were set in stone and it soon became apparent to me that this fact alone meant it was dying in it's feet, a lesson to be learnt there I think

[@neilbowness6074]

How many of those pensioners sat around drinking tea when they where 35-45 or in fact any age before retirement? When I left in 2015 i went to my first remembrance as a veteran, all I got was snarly looks from the “old and bold”local British legion members in fact several even insinuating that I was a Walt because I had 22 years of medals and a couple of awards, they have no respect for younger ( 41 at the time) veterans, your treated like interlopers in “their” little club

[@obvious-troll]

Show respect to the elders! Those BAOR “veterans” went through hell sitting in a muddy hole on the North German plain 😂

[@justinthomas6942]

I'm glad services like this are available for our soldiers, however I can't help but notice how out of date the facility's are , you want to attract younger veterans? Why not try building on to public leisure centres? An extension to the centre if you will, like a new pub/cafe with sofas, tvs, pool table and darts only accept associated members who can include up to 5 people on thier membership?? This way the facilities are all there - gym, swimming pool etc you gain a HUGE advantage , just make a deal with the leisure centre to allow the members to use thier facilities for free or next to nothing , you will attract all ages of vets!! And only those members and thier listed guests can enter the extension with the cafe/bar , maybe hire out for member functions, please someone use this idea? If money was not an issue for me I would set one up!!!

[@ghostwriter2031]

Service should be the one thing that brings everyone together. Sadly you only have to look at some of the comments on here to see why people don’t want to join. Comparing medals/tours/years served is very divisive. You may have served 4 years and done 2 operational tours and have 2 medals and someone else may have served 9 years and have no medals. What about TA soldiers too ! Too many times it’s a competition to out do each other. The shared experience is what should be bringing people together - not Willy waving. A lot of WW2 vets didn’t get involved until they reached retirement age. From what I’ve seen the only associations that do seem to attract younger vets are Royal Marine and Parachute Regiment - I guess because they have a stronger ethos

[@barryalexander2909]

Lots of people confusing the RBL club with the Regt Association. My thoughts: lose the dress codes, push the social online and connect. Make it what the members want it to be. Yes there is a generational difference, but there are also common threads that should span the generations. Some Regts and Corps get it right, others get it badly wrong.

[@bullet-catcherhohoho250]

I was in the Army in the mid 80s, coming up to the end of the cold war era. At all the places i was based, Moral was real low, and everyone left after they had served their 3 years. It was the RCT, remember watching the recruitment film (I'm a Army driver i driver everywhere, i get to undertake all vehicle type training - HGV etc). NOPE, can you imagine as a young driver turning up at a transport regiment, where the vehicles were falling apart and hardly every driving anywhere for 3 YEARS. All you got was the 3 Bs day in and out. Nothing to do each day, lots of bulling etc. When i got to this place a Major told me the turnover was around 89% of those who would get out after their 3 years, with only a few who fell for the stay in and get promotion routine. In those days very few who could not wait to leave had anytime for any associations or anything to do with the Army. I do support the British Legion and am an online member, never had the time to join a branch or a association, work over 15 years night work.

[@romeo9017]

Agreed - but the hierarchy in my case is ring fenced and blocked by a certain fraternal community of Officers et al that ignores the needs and aspirations of these former soldiers - in my case and others the lack of support for FTRS/Section D list as an example has been totally lacking - has cost us thousands…

[@mrlittlegenius1]

The problem is the associations, not the young veterans who served in Iraq and Afghan and left. Typical really. No wonder associations can't recruit when they blame they very people they should be championing.

[@mrlittlegenius1]

Vern, you are out of touch mate.

[@1979tonylee]

My regimental association has several sections such as Plodders {Ramblers} Shooting and Motor cycle , so there is something for every age group including two dinners a year .But I have to agree with the comment that the younger members of the Regiment are not joining, so one day our association branch will vanish.

[@A_10_PaAng_111]

Its for people who served for half their lives, don't know anything else besides military service and now that they are civilians can't handle being called "hey you" or refered to as "that guy." I did 8 years honorably, left and moved on. Its a been there, done that thing for me. Ive acclimated to civilian life.

[@mrlittlegenius1]

I left because I got bored of people like Vern. Why would we pay to hang out you?

[@Ben-uy3qe]

Just a working men’s club surrounded by old boys reminiscing.

[@lukeamato2348]

Theyll start their own that dont cost as much online which means you as a givernment can put more money into actually supporting them

[@sebastianwrites]

But look at these centres guys... your centres look "out dated" and like old working men's club! ??

[@phill9283]

I understand we should have regimental association, however we the rebadging of our regimental ties, it’s hard to find allegiance.

[@matthewpowell6516]

my dad did 19 years in the army and went to one re union he just thought that was then and this now, life moves on.

[@dabsy123]

I can somewhat relate as to the challenges we have in NZ currently, with the RSL and my own club the RSC. The latter we are facing big challenges, and it’s run by civvies. We seem to be doing things arse about face quite literally, and the whole idea is to get people through the door. The concept of a “returned servicemen” has now gone really, and I have been attempting, slowly, to try and copy over what the RSLs have done in Ozzie. Again, like everything, money is the big issue, needing to upgrade etc etc..and yes, iam aware it’s a revolving door policy at the best of times. We are less formal, which is what I enjoy, and one reason why the Guards Association in NZ didn’t last, as it got too BRB, and two clubs are really fighting against each other. So far, we are taking things week by week, and hope that eventually, we will get pass the challenges we face. It’s good to see that we all face the same challenges it seems across the board

[@MC14may]

I bypass regimental reunions and RBL and opt for a privately run services club. Reunions are full of bitter men with 1 medal and a career in the stores under their belt. They turn their noses up to younger operation al guys. The RBL is now just a cheap inner city drinking club for civvies. My advice to us younger ones is find a local services club if you can as i found it full of people who are interested in you as a person,interests,job now etc and dont wanna spend their time bumping their gums on how the army was harder in the 70s/80s

[@simonrobson2293]

When I left my guards regiment in the 80s I walked out that gate never looked back ,

[@OhhTippzY]

They're not getting involved because our Gov have left them to rot.

[@barrywood7322]

When I left, Regimental Associations and the Royal British Legion and there roles wasn’t even mentioned during resettlement it may have changed since i left in 2000, also I served in a regiment which mainly recruited down south so attending a regimental association meeting is difficult.

[@Grenadier96]

I binned off my local association because the highlight of the branch year is a formal garden party with cucumber sandwiches at a retired senior officer's country house in tie and blazer. That sets the tone for the rest of the branch culture. No ta.

[@WAFFENAMT1]

Just look at the pictures on the wall, WW2 era Bombers, Uniforms, etc. Cold War, and after era veterans can not relate to that, unless they collect or are interested in Historical Militaria.

[@Tetadeux]

When i joined the army i was really impressed by medals, now every medal is another 6 months i didnt get to spend with my family and my interest has totally reversed. I sometimes get the feeling of "medal heirarchy" in RBL which i think is deeply unhelpful. This has gotten worse over the last few years as the huge racks of bosnia/kosovo/iraq/afghan/jubileeX3/LSGC have started appearing in big numbers.

[@adrianbanks2089]

Thanks 4 The update ! Any For The R.N.X.S ? North Kent ? ( THANKS )

[@carlwatkiss4252]

It’s because of the government not support us young veterans. I did 20years and had no support from the government. Young veterns are not bothered no more .

[@PiperX1X]

I severely damaged my back by getting beasted by a then lance Jack in the gym who wasn’t even a pti then was forced to play football that Wednesday afternoon until another lance jack realised that something was obviously wrong. I was then taken to the med centre where I was immediately put in blocks and taken to what was the Duchess of Kent military hospital in Catterick where I spent over three weeks in hospital then sent home to recover. That was then my military career over and not knowing that I could have put in for military disability pension until when I had 11 of surgery on my spine to be told that because it was over ten years since I served or had the accident which was on paper with the military I couldn’t apply and that I wouldn’t be able to get it. Since then I’ve been registered disabled and now needing further surgery on my spine. So no I don’t want to have anything to do with the associations and I even sent my medals back, they can get stuffed.

[@carlwatkiss4252]

There’s just no respect anymore when I was a SNCO I treat lads is I would like to be treated .

[@PiperX1X]

@@carlwatkiss4252 I’m talking way back in the early 90s that lance Jack went on to be the rsm then took commission and is now a Major, it makes me sick as now he’s wining and dining with pomp with a nearly 40 year career under his belt he’ll never know what it’s like not to have, yesterday I took delivery of a food parcel from the local services because I’m having trouble just to live and absolutely dreading another winter and sometimes wonder if it’s worth carrying on in life because I have nothing and nobody.

[@jep1103]

Sorry to say you get far more support than we ever did when I left in 1980....but that's not a good thing and I get what you are saying...but you are not alone, it's not just this generation.

[@dulls8475]

Snapper where have you gone? I miss you.

[@ghjgbnhjjghjthknvf6379]

My Dad was a tank commander during WW2, he wouldn't go to the British legion back in the 1990s because in his words "it was over run with old men and blokes who had never seen a days fighting in their life, but would sit around telling some of the biggest tall tales he'd ever heard." I think if you couldn't convince guys like my Dad to go, your going to have a hard time getting young lads from the Afghanistan/ Iraq war to regularly show up.

[@emilyscloset2648]

Afghanistan/Iraq also disillusioned a lot of people which adds to it

[@derf9465]

Can't be bothered talking shop with guys trying to fix the current mess of the services in a pub.

[@patdennison4508]

I've been looking for one of these places for years!?

[@conradcodfish8638]

Irish Guards North of England branch act like a livery company not an association. Take money but do nothing for veterans.

[@AlexNH56]

Samething here in the U.S.

[@herefordshireregimentalmus8771]

Associations need to more welcoming to younger people, far too many are stuffy and out dated in todays society. Seems the Fusiliers seem to have hit the nail on the head.

[@anewbeginningorisit3755]

I was a member of the legion, it was to annoying, pay members fees, then every single time go in they was there with the begging tin and trying to make you to lottery etc

[@drbendover7467]

Since things started going work after 2020 inlistments in all branches of the armed forces has plummeted, both in England and the United States, its no surprise:)

[@jacobs3031]

Its dog it eat dog now these will become a thing of the past everybody is too busy with their individual life there's no community left.

[@mrlittlegenius1]

He's really blaming social media. Wow.

[@shecksthesheckler423]

I used to go to my Regimental Association dinners but as time goes on I find I have moved on and my time in the forces is no longer relevant, the only ones left are living in the past

[@obvious-troll]

Bro, your pfp is literally your medals

[@jackvalentine7403]

@@obvious-troll ikr

[@jimkavimka4042]

Old boys network ! Unfortunately new comers feel very much out of place and judged

[@markjsmccall]

Vern from Battlestripes!!!

[@JammyDodger45]

I think you may have seen him on a few other things over the last year or so 😁

[@Aidan8012]

Battlestripes ?

[@JammyDodger45]

Look for it on here. It's a 1999 documentary about the British Army SNCO Battle School, a requirement for Infanteer Corporals to get promoted.

[@richardtodd6559]

Use or loose…that’s threatening not best idea to win friends and vets…typical of top brass…you know it’s because they wanna keep track incase they need “volunteers “ the reason people don’t use them is because they can see how downhill the military has gone and as such feel removed, plus they’ve civilians now , why they wanna hang around squaddies

[@AK-bx3ft]

I'm a veteran a young veteran. I'm also a trans woman and I do not feel welcome at regimental associations, with the homophobia and transphobia. I'm not wanted there, that's the reason I stay away.

[@oscarsusan3834]

Dealing with organisations like this from a business perspective is the attitude of we want this but “Jonny from 6th brigade” has got a 50 year old one in his shed. How can an organisation move forward with “faux formalised military attitudes of ranks”being pervasive in the social fabric of the power making designs effecting your enjoyment of camaraderie.it’s the old issue of people don’t want to let go. That’s why people that would benefit don’t want to join. An example of enjoyment gone wrong is a 3 legged pool table with the non matching leg on a phone book.

[@jpfarrell66]

When you are out you are out, getting shafted in the job no wonder there is no interest.

[@Gladiator0719]

Weighted in? No, "weighed in."

[@rogerallen665]

Get rid of suits and ties and old ex rankers still thinking they are what there were long ago

[@cảnhngọc-t7n]

LIKE

[@corporal747]

3 reasons why regimental associations will fade out. 1. Social media 2. No operational experience for younger veterans means they have no war stories to exchange with the falklands/Banner/Telic etc era. 3. Less soldiers doing full service now due to no ops and no pension so dont feel connected to units after leaving

[@ffotograffydd]

Younger veterans have plenty of war stories, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan… it’s the Cold War generation that doesn’t, and I suspect some of them resent that and so are less than welcoming to younger people.

[@dulls8475]

@@ffotograffydd Snapper is that you? Try looking up some county regiment cap badges. Have you deleted all your posts?

[@corporal747]

@@ffotograffydd I am talking left within the last decade.

[@ffotograffydd]

@@corporal747 You think people who’ve retired in the last decade didn’t serve in combat zones? Do you watch the news at all?

[@ffotograffydd]

@@dulls8475 No, I haven’t deleted my posts, so why not comment there if you have more to say, instead of stalking me in other threads. It looks a bit desperate, mate.

[@tadzdgreat]

Obviously its no longer relevant to the times 😂😂😂

[@UK_Sgt_7094]

it could also be that the way most veterans were treated that left on SDR have made them feel that they owe the Army and its institutions nothing, i also agree with @fatrick5004 far to formal and far to much of people trying to retain what they had in the Army.

[@alexandermaxwell2955]

Gods holding pen looking at that lot. It needs modernised and leave your rank outside along with dress codes. Not for me.

[@louishundred1812]

Love You all☝👹👑