So we’re saying the NHS should have a standard? And a designated ‘squadron’’ of nurses for ceremonial duties. GPS should receive swords.
Yep. Waltyness is real.
Considering you can buy every medal going from places like Worcester Medals.
I mean, I can make myself look like Horriblelittletechie VC, KBE, GC, DSO and bar, etc etc etc. With all the Walty campaign medals to boot.
Hilariously, I still think more of that than the commorative medals thses places peddle. To me it just seems like predatory behavior to old boys who feel they’ve missed out. At least you can (generally) spot the walts a mile off.
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FYI National Service Medal for Sale | British National Service Application.
It is by application only - I have one for my Grandfather who applied for one 12 months before he passed. it came to me as his wish.
(i know what you mean though - there could/should have been something more automatic for them…but the CFM is an application medal too!)
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Difference is the CFM is approved by HM government. The other one is essentially exactly the same as the other commemorative ones being sold.
It wouldn’t be approved for wear.
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If you mean a short question about service, which they have no means of checking, in order to try and pretend that it’s a legitimate medal, then sure.
Otherwise the application is no different to placing an order on any other website
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Only with the RAFAC it seems. Westminster has a section detailing your eligibility for a CFM. When we had an army section the process of issue was automatically triggered and the first we knew about it was when the Lt’s medal arrived in the office through the post.
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I can’t believe that the RBL support it.
I doubt they do. It says “originally proposed and sponsored” by them. I’d put good money on the case being that the RBL proposed and sponsored the idea of this medal when asking the MOD to create it, but doubt they have anything to do with it now (especially if they don’t get a cut).
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Wikipedia says that it’s in partnership with the RBL and proportion of the cost goes to Poppy Appeal.
Fair enough then. They get a cut which explains it. Though still surprising
oh - i confess i didn’t realise that. I just know that he applied for it and got it…it then came to me
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today I learnt…
the National Service Medal is an unofficial medal sold by the company Award Productions Ltd.
It is a commemorative medal, originally proposed and sponsored by the Royal British Legion, available to those who performed National Service, both military and civilian, between January 1930 and December 1960. Next of kin or direct descendants may also apply.
As the medal is unofficial, it should not be worn. However it is often worn and, if it is, it must not be in line with official State awards. It is usually worn on the left pocket, below any official awards, or on the right lapel.
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Still eligible for a Veteran’s Badge. It’s not much but a simple, tangible and broadly recognised bit of official “bling”
Application via MODMO is pretty straightforward and the turn round times are fairly quick too
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Seen a couple of former RAFAC officers wearing them, I may have rolled my eyes with intent.
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I assume they’re ex-VRT?
If they have no other service then yes, they’re technically eligible, but that’s about the Waltiest thing imaginable.
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Yeah, exactly that.
Wearing them at Armed Forces Day parade too. 
Would be interesting to see if an NCO or non-VRT application would be accepted.
I’ve had requests to mount unofficial bling alongside officially-issued medals and my answer is always the same - no. Happy to do your real ones but as for the rest…
Wrong order and wrong post-nominals (sort of).
It should be: VC, GC, KBE DSO and scar (for having your Dick Shot Off).
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Surely doesn’t count? I believe the UK official definition of a veteran is one day of service but surely that has to include basic training, which VRT officers didn’t do
I can’t find that definition anywhere except on an NHS website about priority treatment and even then it doesn’t say anything about initial training.
The counter argument anyway would be that VR(T) Officers and the ACF equivalent did the basic training relevant to their branch of service.
All the stuff on .gov website just says anyone who served in HM Forces including the regular and volunteer reserves, which would certainly include those who served in the Training Branch of the RAF Volunteer Reserve by definition.
I’m in no way arguing that we should be wearing them, just that the rules as written seem to say that we could, if like these particular gentleman we chose to.
In the same way I’ve also seen some retired former officers with no other service marching with the RBL contingent on Remembrance Day in berets and medals, no reason you can’t, but just feels a bit off to me.
Shouldn’t count, but the government’s webpage about the badge suggests it would, as eligibility includes “volunteer or regular reserve”