Anyone who has seen a matelot in CS95 in the last couple of years will have noticed that it now includes an RN tactical recognition flash, consisting of the "logo" style White Ensign.
I have a problem with this.
To me, the White Ensign is a symbol of the Crown and is thus to be treated with respect. In the last few years, however, someone, somewhere in the shiny new "Navy Command" has come up with the idea of turning it into a commercial brand. Making a stylistic version of the Ensign with the words "Royal Navy" beneath and selling it on all manner of products.
Two snags here.
1. It makes a commercial logo out of a Crown symbol. I find this unacceptable and I hope I don't need to explain why.
2. It's now a required part of CS95. In addition to snag number 1, it looks cheap and has bright colours that are counter-productive to a camouflage uniform. Surely it's sufficient to wear a beret with an RN badge, wear "ROYAL NAVY" over the right breast pocket, and RN rank/rate insignia?
So what I want to know is this. Am I just a throbber? Or do I have legitimate grounds to object to being asked to wear an emblem that is bordering on the treasonous?
I have a problem with this.
To me, the White Ensign is a symbol of the Crown and is thus to be treated with respect. In the last few years, however, someone, somewhere in the shiny new "Navy Command" has come up with the idea of turning it into a commercial brand. Making a stylistic version of the Ensign with the words "Royal Navy" beneath and selling it on all manner of products.
Two snags here.
1. It makes a commercial logo out of a Crown symbol. I find this unacceptable and I hope I don't need to explain why.
2. It's now a required part of CS95. In addition to snag number 1, it looks cheap and has bright colours that are counter-productive to a camouflage uniform. Surely it's sufficient to wear a beret with an RN badge, wear "ROYAL NAVY" over the right breast pocket, and RN rank/rate insignia?
So what I want to know is this. Am I just a throbber? Or do I have legitimate grounds to object to being asked to wear an emblem that is bordering on the treasonous?