Originally Posted by fivetodo

a hat is a hat is a hat as far as i can see, .......................

A WO1 once told me, "only ladies wear hats"

And the WO1's opinions are gospel? :D ;)

Back in April on a far distant thread......

Originally Posted by subbsonic

If the individual is in receipt of Spec Qual or support Staff pay they are entitled to wear the hat. If not, perhaps that they continue to wear to wear such head dress might be regarded by some, as a sign of their own insecurity?

To my mind, it does not contribute when specialist units have to deal with legitimate enquiries about people walking round a distant camp wearing an exotic hat. They normally have better things to be geting on with.

Whilst it might not matter that you get recognised by other Toms in Blandford, or the chix in the G Spot, it does matter when you subsequently get pinged on Ops.

I would have retired years ago if I had £5 for every time I have sat in a distant cookhouse, air-head, NAAFI queue or bar and heard some stupid punter say, "look that guy's from hereford, there must be an Op on!"

If you know you are good at what you do, do you really need to advertise??

The army is getting smaller and less people are having to do more. If you are really from an operational unit, and feel you need to large it when you are back at your own Depot, perhaps you need to have a think about how Operational You are??

Originally Posted by Ridgeback

They have 'jumped' from the air and by doing so have conquered fear.

I did a parachute jump and on the same plane was a bunch of girls. I doubt they got back to their 6th form and went larging it about.

As for the berets, I'd rather flat caps than landing pads

Originally Posted by come_to_arrest_the_zulus

Originally Posted by Ridgeback

They have 'jumped' from the air and by doing so have conquered fear.

I did a parachute jump and on the same plane was a bunch of girls. I doubt they got back to their 6th form and went larging it about.

As for the berets, I'd rather flat caps than landing pads

Maybe, but I bet they weren't stood up for 40 minutes in an open doorway at night 800ft above some training area after a 5 hour low level flight, wearing 170lbs of equipment and parachutes, travelling at 130 miles an hour, then having jumped alongside 90 other guys from the same aircraft having to tab a fair few km to an RV point. Thats after a six week physical thrashing on pre para and P Coy. I agree on the beret thing though. :D

actually they were, they were real hardcore. 1 even spent the flight hammering 6 inch nails in to her kneecaps

point is they jumped out of a plane, and thats wat he said is over coming fear I'd say the bit with the kit is a physical challange, and with all those other lads there youre not going to want to biff it are you?

Originally Posted by come_to_arrest_the_zulus

actually they were, they were real hardcore. 1 even spent the flight hammering 6 inch nails in to her kneecaps

point is they jumped out of a plane, and thats wat he said is over coming fear I'd say the bit with the kit is a physical challange, and with all those other lads there youre not going to want to biff it are you?

There's a world of difference between military and civilian parachuting. If you've done both, you'd know. For a start there's the time of day, height, kit, puking blokes, aircraft etc. I disagree with ridgeback, that's only one part of it.

As for blokes biffing, seen it, not easy for them either. Off the plane and RTU or whatever.

Getting back to the original point. I'd rather see a 'flat cap' than a 'helipad' any day.

yeah yeah I hear you, I just dont think it's the be all and end all, maybe I'll change my opinion if I get the chance to have a crack at it myself

On the beret subject, I think berets look a lot better when the cap badge is not directly over the left eye, but around a little to the side. old skool may not agree, but it looks a lot better than some of the turban or third eye berets you see.

Originally Posted by come_to_arrest_the_zulus

yeah yeah I hear you, I just dont think it's the be all and end all, maybe I'll change my opinion if I get the chance to have a crack at it myself

It's not, but there is something different. Have a crack, but remember where you came from. Few do.

Originally Posted by come_to_arrest_the_zulus

On the beret subject, I think berets look a lot better when the cap badge is not directly over the left eye, but around a little to the side. old skool may not agree, but it looks a lot better than some of the turban or third eye berets you see.

Agreed

I have recently finished a tour with 216 Sig Sqn. I must admitt, having served in THE CORPS for many years, it was one of the most enjoyable tours I've had.

The beret (headdress) shaping boils down to one thing,in my eyes, PRIDE!!

Proud to be and AIRBORNE Signaller.

Some do cross the line and enter into the realms of looking ridiculous (French Farmer Stylee). These are individuals and they are quickly brought to line by the older and bolder members. You cannot tar a unit with the same brush, just because of the way some individuals act.

I myself, am not AIRBORNE however, If I was, then I would most certainly shape my headdress in the same manner, don the Smock and be one of many proud PARA Signallers.

At the end of the day, it makes you stand out and be noticed (not a bad recriutment point).

CAYTHORPE ROCKS!!!!

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Work is for people who cannot FLY FISH!! Tight lines