M1113 said:
I am not harking back to the good old days, but the greatest recruiting aid was that grey warship, alongside the STC. You could see, touch, smell and image yourself on it. Of cause once at sea you were sea sick, worn out and smelly. But it did sort the men from the boys (it was political acceptable in them days)
I give up.
You could have a Fleet alongside, if they won't walk through the gate it doesn't matter.
To paraphrase Clinton 'Its the public perception of the Armed Forces stupid!'
How does harking back to the 'good old days' help us today. 'Dear Bangladesh etc, can we please have our ships back...'
Why do people join the RN?, AFCO don't have ships alongside.
We don't have grey ships. We are not going to get them. We have got to make the best of what we have. Perhaps they are not joining because people keep saying 'it's not like it used to be'!
We had an open evening a few weeks ago. Only 6 turned up, but 5 Came back to join, why, because they where interested in what they saw. Not someone saying sorry, but it used to be more fun.
Negativity and backward looking views will not help at all. Maybe I am playing a fiddle while the RNR burns, but I will try my damnedest to show a positive face to those around me. Am I wrong to do so?