Sadly the day has come

[Mike S]

So, give them the support they so richly deserve and let the past continue on into the future. The Regiments, as they were, are GONE. The Royal Scottish is now amongst us. Long live the Royal Scottish Regiment!!

This sort of obsequious stance in the matter is extremely silly and defies logic, especially given the fact that the opinions of so many enlisted/officers, organizations, societies, veterans etc. mattered not one iota in the decision making process along the way, what makes you think our opinions are going to matter or make any difference after the fact?

[Moosehead]

what makes you think our opinions are going to matter or make any difference after the fact?

Simple, they won't. It's a done deal.Which is really the point I was trying to make. It is done. Support those who still serve, and those who will enlist and serve in the Royal Scottish.

This sort of obsequious stance in the matter is extremely silly and defies logic

There is NO logic. A soldier's logic and a government's logic are nearly always the opposite. As for being obsequious, if you can show me that you worked with some of these boys in Northern Ireland, I'll bow down to your criticism.

especially given the fact that the opinions of so many enlisted/officers, organizations, societies, veterans etc. mattered not one iota in the decision making process along the way,

I have to disagree Mike. Virtually everybody's opinions were taken into account, the government simply refused to budge on defence cuts.

Here is a question to all: why are the Scottish regiments more important than all the others? Why are they more important than all of the RAF Squadrons and Stations which have been dispanded/closed? Why are they more important than the cancellation of much needed ships for the RN?

They aren't.

I'm not trying to stir the pot here, or play devil's advocate. The government, one which I served (but despise), has made a politically hot decision. It was up to the general's to deal with it. Guess what? They did. It was a soldier's decision to amalgamate the Regiments, not the government.

My second to last post was from a long standing (23 years) veteran of the Black Watch. He's the guy who has to take the Regiment into the future. If we can't respect his requests, then simply put, we're a bunch of wankers.

The Regiments which existed up unitl a few short days ago, were NOT the Regiments of old.

I can say with all honesty that, like many others, I've done all I can to halt and/or reverse this sad and seemingly unstoppable spiral downward the MOD cutback campaign slipped into some time back.

Unless you are a citizen of the UK, with a vote in the UK, did you really think it would matter what you did?

[Mike S]

Unless you are a citizen of the UK, with a vote in the UK, did you really think it would matter what you did?

Quite obviously it didn't.
This topic is bound to draw a healthy debate from all viewpoints. Happily although you and I disagree on several issues, we can discuss this like gentlemen. For that I salute you.

[bubba]

Bubba, no doubt not your intent, but with this comment you have insulted each and every serving Officer and NCO of the Royal Scottish Regiment.

Nope, just stating a fact. You even said it yourself, the Regiments are gone and I'm saying the pride, history and traditions will follow.

[highlander_Daz]

Moosehead you make some good points, but you are a victim of your own arguement, your in Canada, I can tell you that the feeling in Scotland is that the regiments have been shafted, The Scottish regiments are no more or no less important than other British regiments overall but to Scots they represent Scotland in the British Army, there is a general Erosion of Scottish Culture within Britain, for example during G8 the flag of the Union was flown and not the Saltire, which is clearly wrong, but happened anyway.
The reducing the regiments to Battailions is another Erosion of Scots culture, Yes Regiments have been almalgamated before but never to this extent.

Eventually there will be a drive to make all British forces part of a greater European army- this must not happen, the Morale our armed serviceman and Women needs to be maintained and respected, However every serviceman and women of the Royal Regiment of Scotland has the 100% support, and respect of Scots, Its simply the name and the manner of the systematic destruction of our heritage that we have a problem with. If that makes me a Wanker then so be it.

Bear in mind that the people behind this are people that are not fit to lick the boots of a single Jock, and the man who could have intervened and stopped all this is Tony Blair -a man born in Edinburgh!

[davedove]

Similar things happen in all countries. Whether one thinks it's a good or bad thing is debatable and will never be solved, because there is some merit to the arguments of both sides. When a piece of history slips away it is a sad thing, especially when it's done for financial reasons.

When it comes down to crunch time, the military men and women will do as they are told and get the job done.

[KiltedKnight]

This thread reminds me exactly of the time that the coveted black beret of the United States Army Ranger was decided to be distributed to any snot nosed recruit that got his mothers permission to enlist in the Army.
It wasn't right but was pushed through by another rat that wasn't good enough to lick the bottom of the boot af an Army Ranger, Bill Clinton, but he worked out a deal with the Communist Chinese for millions of black berets to be manufactured for the U.S. Army. I wonder how much he got in kickbacks from that deal at the expence of Americas warriors?
Sorry if this sounds political, I just can't stomach a voluntary Commander-in-Chief that hates the military.

Chris.

[Robin]

This is sad...

After reading this I searched the internet to see what happened to the regiment I served...I was pleased to see it's still very alive and kicking.

Overhere...in the Netherlands "we" don't merge regiments...some regiments have only 1 active batallion, but they're still part of the regiment, with it's own history, banner, colours, heraldy and pride.

The regimental banners are close to sacred...even our queen must bow to them.
Battle honours embroided on the banners...blood stained names...to name a few...Quattre Bras, Waterloo, Atjeh, Grebbenberg, Ypenburg, Caen, Korea, Libanon, Kosovo, Afghanistan.

For God's sake!...people die for their country...for their king or queen, for what they believe in, for the freedom of their families or even for the freedom of complete strangers!

It's a bloody crime to "merge" regiments...for what? is it cheaper to have less banners? just one colour?

Pointless!

[macwilkin]

Thread now closed.