Veteran ID Cards

Has anyone heard anything about when these cards are to be issued, I know it was supposed to start in 2010 for recently retired soldiers but have heard nothing

Les

Not heard anything definite about Vets ID cards in the UK, lots of suport but nothing else. Vets ID cards have been issued to those who settled in BFG and Cyprus to enable them to limited use of NAAFI, etc, dont think they can buy duty free booze or cigs.

BobG

Thanks for that Bob, thing is there was talk of them issuing for ALL ex soldiers, just seems to have gone quiet

Les

Les Pattenden wrote:

Has anyone heard anything about when these cards are to be issued, I know it was supposed to start in 2010 for recently retired soldiers but have heard nothing

Les

Did I nod off again ?

What's all this Veteran's ID card malarkey then ?

While it is a nice bit of kit, the Veteran's Badge serves only to inform other ex-servicemen that you have "done a bit". It has no other value. So, of what use would the Vet's ID card be, I ask ?

The other day somebody asked me what a Gurkha was. It's down to a lack of education, I suppose, this country doesn't give a monkey's about ex-ervicemen, that's how it's always been.

it is supposed to give vets a priority on things like NHS, Council lists amongst others, and yes I agree they don't seem to care but you never know they just may start to

Les

There was a time when ex servicemen/women could be treated at BMHs in the UK but, Maggies Mob put a stop to that - they got rid of the Hospitals. I live in an area that has quite a large ex-service population,normally the only time that someone is acknowledged as ex military is when they have committed a crime and it hits the newspapers otherwise, nobody gives a Rodents Rectum

Sorry mate,

It was the mindset of our country that I was having a rave at.

Some of the nicest people I ever knew live in Hampshire.

brum

The aim is to ensure that those who have risked their lives in combat get front-of-the-queue treatment and financial benefits. Similar systems in the US and France offer veterans subsidised travel and discounts from private companies.

At a time when the armed forces have been stretched to breaking point in two bloody conflicts, there has been mounting anger that the priority treatment promised by the Government 18 months ago has failed to materialise. "We now need to make it happen," the Defence minister Kevan Jones told this newspaper. "We will provide veterans' ID cards so the person can say 'I have served in the services' and get priority access to treatment." Mr Jones spoke in response to this newspaper's campaign to get better mental health treatment for traumatised troops, launched after the Victoria Cross winner Johnson Beharry – the country's most decorated serving soldier – revealed his own combat-related trauma and urged the Government to stop failing his fellow soldiers with sub-standard or non-existent care.

Lieutenant General Sir Freddie Viggers, who until last year was Adjutant-General in charge of personnel, welcomed the veterans' card. "It is about value and self worth, not about a piece of plastic," he said. "We carry these cards for the whole of our service and when we leave we are required to hand them in. Psychologically, it is a bad thing. It is a little bit of plastic but it represents who you are and what you did."

The Conservative MP Patrick Mercer, former commanding officer with the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment, said: "It is about bloody time. At last, a reasonable, sensible minister [Mr Jones] who listens to ideas from across the political spectrum."

Nice to hear Brum, just to give an idea this is part of what I picked up

Les

We have veteran cards for those with 10 years of service or more. This includes reserves. We get some privileges from private companies and some will give discounts on asking if they do this for vets, I've found out to my experience. Embarrasses my wife, but she doesn't argue about the savings when it's over. This year West Jet airlines are allowing a vet a second suitcase free (25 lbs under). Last couple of years Via Rail was giving out free travel cross Canada. (Must remember our rail service is a joke). After Afghanistan cools down I'm sure these goodies will disappear.

I am sure that it will, Hardrations. "It's Tommy this and Tommy that", etc.