Members of the armed forces are targets of abuse and violence

“It's not about worshipping the ground forces personnel walk on, it's about men and women in the forces being as proud of what they do as firemen / nurses etc, and receiving the same appreciation from the public. It's about not being charged extra for car insurance simply because you're in the forces regardless of what job you do, it's about not being refused entry to pubs and clubs and many other issues that have already been raised here.

It's also got nothing to do with the war in the middle east. I've been in the forces over 20 years and the same attitudes exist now as did when I joined. I remember being in Canada in the mid 90's when a bloke bought me a drink simply because I was British forces. I was naturally suspicious of his intentions as in Plymouth I had only received indifference and occasionally hostility when informing strangers of my profession.

Obviously there are idiots in the forces as there are in all walks of life, but that shouldn't mean that we all get tarred with the same brush. We don't want to get worshipped or have people queueing up to buy us drinks (just as they do in America!), that would be weird. We just want to be treated the same as everybody else and be proud of what we do.”

“Well , we all dislike anyone who works in the publc sector.

DON'T WE.”

“"In America they really appreciate their Armed Forces. We were in New York recently talking to some locals and as soon as they found out we were British Marines they were queuing up to buy us drinks. You don't get that here. People only tend to thank you if they're drunk."

So they were all queing up sober in a cafe waiting to buy you guys a cup of green tea then were they? ;)

I don't think that anyone should have abuse or violence targeted at them or denied a service that anyone else could get because of the job they choose to do, regardless of the type of employment or location.

However, maybe if there wasn't a ridiculous illegal war going on... the troops (and their bosses) may be getting more support from the people!?? Majority of Americans and British don't even know why there's been a war going on in the middle east for over 10 years. Most people don't know it's an illegal war, and that the propogators of this war should have been arrested years for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Is it a war on terrorism?
The number of people killed by Western Forces greatly exceeds the number of people killed in 9/11 and 7/7. How much blood needs to be shed before our leaders feel like they've gotten equal? They've killed Bin Laden now (for the 4th time) and Husseins dead, so is the war on terror over now? Or will a new mysteriously elusive enemy appear? A new celebrity terrorist figure to bring us all together in common hatred.

Is it a war on drugs?
Video evidence and interviews with US Marines shows that troops are DEFENDING opium fields!! Since western interventions in Afghanistan, they now supply somewhere in the region of 80% of the worlds opium. (Up a considerable amount from when Saddam Hussien was in power) So if we're supposed to be getting a handle on heroin production - we're doing a worse job than Saddam was!

Is it for the 'Freedom' of Iraq or Afghanistan, is it to 'Help' them?
First thing to do to help them would be to stop killing them. In Iraq alone well over 115,000 civilians have been killed... one hundred and fifteen thousand people - dead. And thats just the innocent civilians, non-combatants killed by military and paramilitary actions, and the breakdown of civil security since the Brits and the Yanks turned up. What about the troops on both sides that have been killed?
We all saw about the schools and hospitals that we built didnt we? Where the big Halliburton oilfeild contractors turned up to rebuild bombed schools and hospitals, only they left them half built - or in dangerous states, like a bad episode of cowboy builders.
How much help are we being? How much freedom are we giving?

Or is it a war for oil?
Is a war to get a foot into resource rich Africa?

The questions about this illegal war could go on forever!
The war needs to end, and the boys need to come home and lead normal lives with their friends and families - instead of putting their a$$es on the line for the benefit of rich politicians and corporations.”

“The problem is that some idiotic servicemen spoil it for the majority.
Several times you see servicemen in trouble for beating up this man or that doorman etc.

They do a grand job but you dont become a an automatic hero just for putting on a uniform”

“Varsity and Weatherspoons are the worst! My Battalion, just before a tour in sunny Afghan, were asked to leave but when finding out how many of us (40+ Squaddies) there were staff were extremely friendly! However there are idiots who let down the services but are usually dealt with by their officers.

My father was turned down by a bank for a mortgage by a certain bank manager due to him being in the forces. He even was quoted in front of staff his views on the forces.

Oh and my parents have worked in the NHS dealing with violent patients. One instance the public have stood around while a 6ft alcoholic beat and kicked 2 small female nurses. Don't see them getting praise for helping the British Public. Office staff don't get beaten up by the public polishing a chair.

I don't ask for hand shaking in public just the public being a bit more polite about what the public services do for you!”

“Unless the forces personnel are dressed in uniform when they enter nightclubs, pubs etc. or have some sort of tattoo on their foreheads which states they are forces personnel I fail to see why they are being picked on.

When they are in uniform they are doing a job of work and as such should be respected for at least being employed. There aren't many jobs where you have to put your life at risk to earn a crust. The politics of the job shouldn't be a factor in how we treat these personnel.

I only hope that in my lifetime and that of my children and grandchildren we never see another war in this country. If God forbid it ever happens, we will be in need of personnel such as these and I hope we haven't cut our military weapons and personnel down so much that we are unable to defend ourselves.”

“I can see both sides, yes troops etc should not have abuse thrown at them but we shouldnt feel forced to worship the ground they walk on either, the kind of naive idiots who go on like every soldier is there because there `protecting us` and the flag and not because he wanted a good paycheque and training and jcall every single soldier a hero forgetting thats actully quite demeaning to the real true heros of the conflict are just as bad as those who give soldiers grief.

I dont disrespect soldiers they do a tough job, however its one they chose to do and knew the risks when they went out there we do not have a draft and noone is being forced out there against there will.

As far as respect goes I respect them if they respect me, I know some fine upstanding people in the forces I also know some idiots who have been known to preach about how all civvys have it easy and `wouldnt last 10 seconds in combat` as if theres something wrong with not being in the forces` these people I dont respect.

I dont think it matters what uniform your wearing, you can be a good person or an ******* if your in the forces or not I judge people by who they are not what uniform they wear, I dont abuse troops however I will not be forced into worshiping them either.”

“@ swapshop- I think you'll find they were asked a the Army Careers office- they had the choice of sayimg yes to enroling in the job or not, and as for abuse at work- umm- Police Personel, Nurses, Doctors, teachers, call center workers, bar staff etc- they all receive abuse on almost a daily basis so where is the propagandist, sympathy grabbing report for them? Do they not count as they do not wear a militry uniform?!!!!!”

“Next time I see someonw in a uniform in a pub I will buy them a drink”

“I think I might go into the pedestal trade- I'd make a mint in this brainwashed country :)”