Going undercover when off base

A controversy has arisen in Britain about the right of military personnel to wear their uniforms in public. Apparently the dispute has gone to the very highest levels - the prime minister and a reported comment from the queen.

All express concern that 15 months ago a station commander at RAF Wittering advised personnel not to wear their uniform outside the base.

The reason given was reported incidents to him of uniformed personnel being verbally abused and on occasion spat on by members of the public who did not agree with the British military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan.

It is sadly disheartening that there should be anyone in Britain who feels so overtly aggressive to the military that they have to express it in such a contemptible manner. British military, recognised as being among the most professional in the world, are merely carrying out their duties as instructed by the government though the ministry of defence. If the public has a disagreement with that policy, then it is election time when disagreements can be best sorted out through the ballot box.

Even sadder is that armed forces risk such treatment when used as political pawns.