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

[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.

[tulloch]

That is amazing. They ought to ban the military then. Why have a remembrance of something that you have to sanitize? I can imagine it will stimulate a lot of local dialogue. Something good might come of it.

[Tartan Hiker]

Despite the urge to agree with the sentiments expressed thus far, I have to step in and remind the rabble about the rules pertaining to discussion of politics and weapons. More importantly is the charge that we should stay away from discussions that will divide rather than unify. Finally, this is a kilt board and unless the cadets were going to be marching kilted, then this discussion doesn't really belong here anyway.

I will not close this thread, despite its teetering on the razors edge. Perhaps I'm just curious to see if there can be discussion on this item that does not push it over the edge.

There's your challenge, then.

Go!

[Chas]

For everybody's information - just so we know what is being discussed.

The weapons used by the three Cadet Forces (Army, Navy and Air Force) are what are called 'DP' weapons. That is to say, they are for Drill Purposes. They look the same and weigh the same. They have the same 'bolt actions', but the internal parts are so designed as to be non-functioning. The sights are welded out of true and the barrels are not only slightly bent, but are plugged in three places. It would take more than one minor miracle to get them ever to work.

The reasons for this are twofold. Firstly, they are stored at the local Cadet HQ (not the most secure building by any means) and secondly, boys will be boys. Even with fully trained soldiers, there is always one idiot that points his gun in the wrong direction.

They look like guns and feel like guns, but they are not guns.

Regards

Chas

[cessna152towser]

Mod Hat Off
I was an air cadet in the nineteen sixties.
We did have rifle drills, using rifles which had been rendered unusable, well you wouldn't trust the average 13 to 18 year old with a live weapon.
Live rifle firing was only available on visits to specialised ranges which were a rare treat accorded only rarely and only to the most trusted cadets.
Mod Hat On
This thread appears to be mainly about rifles and politics, which are two subjects best not discussed on this forum. Hopefully all will now realise that the "cadets" who are being banned from carrying the rifles are young schoolkid part time cadets and not adolescent army college cadets.

[Tobus]

A cadet in the US is an entirely different thing.

No, not really. Most high schools have ROTC cadets, some of which go on to join the military, and some of which don't. The term cadet doesn't just refer to those enrolled in a military academy.

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.

[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.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Probably reason #6 that I moved to the USA...