johnboywalton
Head Pro
I struggle with your comparisons, how many police, fireman or nurses
Reduced Subscription for Armed Forces...convince me please.
- Thread starter Dodger
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I struggle with your comparisons, how many police, fireman or nurses
palindromicbob
Tour Winner
I suppose the administration involved in finding out exactly what each member from the armed forces joining does would be excessive, intrusive and actually likely to turn people away. Having blanket discount means they'd only have to prove the work in the forces therefore making it easier for the front line staff to get the discount and affording the backroom staff the same.
My question in return is, why does it bother you? It wouldn't be likely to change what you pay if they stopped the discount.
My question in return is, why does it bother you? It wouldn't be likely to change what you pay if they stopped the discount.
a retired wind commander
Was he in charge of the flatulant squadron?
AIRship squadron, common title, surprised you haven't heard of it
Maybe time for the OP to put this thread to bed as it looks like its run its course, some interesting views.
jammag
Challenge Tour Pro
Rather idiotic response considering what the police were put through for them days of riots. (I am not comparing this to soldiers before anyone harps on that) They were being attacked by people of there own country and couldnt do a thing about it due to the amount in numbers there were. My best mate serves for the met police and he showed me some of the pictures of his station and it was burnt out and explained that they had petrol bombs being thrown at them and told me if they hit you all you can do is let them burn you.
Police worked as said before 20 hour days got told any holiday they were due to take was cancelled and they were on the streets trying to stop these but had no way of doing so. I wish people would think what its like in others shoes before they make stupid comments, and if you still think they have it easy and you have some time to give then they are always looking for volunteers.
The question at the start was convince me of why the armed forces get discounts on golf fees. I think going to war whether it be the pen pusher or the guy on the frontline they all have there role in helping to protect the country. That deserves something surely if the government wont pay them the wage they deserve.
The question wasnt why should they get it and others dont.
Smiffy
Grand Slam Winner
Given your eyesight, and sense of direction, you most probably bombed half of them
stevie_r
Tour Winner
Indeed that was the question, it is you who are banging on about the police. 20 hour day? Big deal, regular occurrence on an Op tour in the army. Idiotic and stupid comments? Yes, your comment regarding petrol bombs was. You are clearly speaking from a position of no authority whatsoever and base your opinion on talking to your mate down the pub having been nowhere, seen nothing or done nothing yourself.
The issue of reduced subs for members of the forces is not solely about operational tours, for example, how would you fancy moving your home including your wife and kids 5 times in 5 years? Cancelled holidays - yeah suffered that more than once.
As for helping them out by volunteering - is that what you do? The police face something akin to those riots rarely, the last public disorder on that scale was 30 years ago.
And finally, the pay of a newly qualified plod is significantly higher than a newly trained squaddy.
Ethan
Money List Winner
Homer
You can get a discount at Subway on the Shinfield Road or on Gun Street!
jammag
Challenge Tour Pro
Did you bother to read what I put? I said "I am not comparing this to soldiers before anyone harps on that" in reference to I know its nothing like a soldier. How ever how you go on about the police and how they dont have it hard is completely inappropiate. They do a hard job in controlling idiots in our country. My opinion is based on more than talking to a friend who was involved in all that has happened down there.
I am replying to others who stated about why other forces should or shouldnt get discount as well, hence the talk about police, until some egid decided they have no sympathy for what some people went through for that week of disrupt throughout the country.
You are right I dont volunteer for the police due to some problems which means I cant yet. How ever if I could ever do it then I would jump at the chance to go in the police.
muttleee
Tour Rookie
Service personnel can often be redeployed to a different parts of the country at short notice (not to mention abroad, obviously). That's one of the factors that has been highlighted in the past as a reason for them not joining golf clubs at all. A discount on the fees is probably a fair exchange given the risk that they won't be able to complete their year's membership.
Macster
Journeyman Pro
Whooooaaaa....lot of debate goin on here, keep it real fella's, dont get personal.
For what its worth, my take on things is.....
Rather than giving a 'reduced Menbership' for all Forces, I'd rather see them charged the normal rate, with a UK wide agreement to refund should they get called away on service into a 'War Zone' like Afghanistan/Iraq etc, that would seem fairer to me, based on the fact that they faced real danger.
If they were'nt away, why should they get a reduction ?
Indeed, why should Police/Fire/NHS or anyone else get a reduction ?
Golf is our chosen activity in spare time, and where we choose to spend any excess income, and in that respect, no-one should get reduced fees over anyone else should they ?
(The Junior- Adult sliding Fee's are an altogether different debate)
I dont get the National sympathy vote for our Forces in Afghanistan/Iraq, its all rather sickly in my opinion.
At the end of the day, anyone who signs up knows the risks and possible consequences, and indeed Salary before they go in.
IF they are prepared to put their life on the line for that salary, then thats up to them.
Personally, I think the fact that a lot join up is perhaps based on their available career option possibilities more than a burning desire to 'serve the country', but thats my opinion.
I also agree with those that have suggested they shouldnt be over there anyway, and was always against the 'invasions', the same as I have been against the NATO involvement in deposing Ghaddafi, its nothing to do with us, or protecting Civilians, and all about Oil and 'Business' possibilities for the West with a more democratic Government in place.
All that said, of course I feel compassion and sympathy for those out there that do get hurt/killed, its a waste, - BUT, at the end of the day, it was THEIR choice to join up.
I wouldnt do the job for £100k/year, let alone £20k, so until their arent enough people willing to do it, the salaries will always be what they are.
If no-one joined up, the Government would have to attract them with higher salaries, its all about supply & demand.
Slate me or agree with me, its my honest opinion at least.
For what its worth, my take on things is.....
Rather than giving a 'reduced Menbership' for all Forces, I'd rather see them charged the normal rate, with a UK wide agreement to refund should they get called away on service into a 'War Zone' like Afghanistan/Iraq etc, that would seem fairer to me, based on the fact that they faced real danger.
If they were'nt away, why should they get a reduction ?
Indeed, why should Police/Fire/NHS or anyone else get a reduction ?
Golf is our chosen activity in spare time, and where we choose to spend any excess income, and in that respect, no-one should get reduced fees over anyone else should they ?
(The Junior- Adult sliding Fee's are an altogether different debate)
I dont get the National sympathy vote for our Forces in Afghanistan/Iraq, its all rather sickly in my opinion.
At the end of the day, anyone who signs up knows the risks and possible consequences, and indeed Salary before they go in.
IF they are prepared to put their life on the line for that salary, then thats up to them.
Personally, I think the fact that a lot join up is perhaps based on their available career option possibilities more than a burning desire to 'serve the country', but thats my opinion.
I also agree with those that have suggested they shouldnt be over there anyway, and was always against the 'invasions', the same as I have been against the NATO involvement in deposing Ghaddafi, its nothing to do with us, or protecting Civilians, and all about Oil and 'Business' possibilities for the West with a more democratic Government in place.
All that said, of course I feel compassion and sympathy for those out there that do get hurt/killed, its a waste, - BUT, at the end of the day, it was THEIR choice to join up.
I wouldnt do the job for £100k/year, let alone £20k, so until their arent enough people willing to do it, the salaries will always be what they are.
If no-one joined up, the Government would have to attract them with higher salaries, its all about supply & demand.
Slate me or agree with me, its my honest opinion at least.
jammag
Challenge Tour Pro
Well end of the day its the owners of the clubs who decide to give any discount. There must be some reasoning in behind it if not it would not be worth doing? If you do get them to join up for half the price and they dont play the course then the the club has made a fair bit of money for no pay. No business will want to have a potential refund situation hanging over its head.
End of the day yes its our hobby but everyone gets discounts at different places and its part of what makes a good business you get the numbers in then maybe they can improve other areas etc.
I know when I have worked in restaurants our local base round here would get 25% off. At my golf club the forces get £50 off there subs which isnt a massive about to complain about.
End of the day yes its our hobby but everyone gets discounts at different places and its part of what makes a good business you get the numbers in then maybe they can improve other areas etc.
I know when I have worked in restaurants our local base round here would get 25% off. At my golf club the forces get £50 off there subs which isnt a massive about to complain about.
StuartD
Tour Rookie
Been a good question/thread this one.
I have to agree that the best way would be to charge the normal rate, with a UK wide agreement to refund should they get called away on service. It may encourage more service personnel to join clubs.
The only downside is i cant see golf clubs buying into it. It would be difficult to plan budgets/spending etc if they had to start returning subscrition fees at various times throughout the year
I have to agree that the best way would be to charge the normal rate, with a UK wide agreement to refund should they get called away on service. It may encourage more service personnel to join clubs.
The only downside is i cant see golf clubs buying into it. It would be difficult to plan budgets/spending etc if they had to start returning subscrition fees at various times throughout the year
bladeplayer
Money List Winner
Pay a 12month sub , rather than a yearly one ,say you join in jan, if you get called away from july-dec , when you come back you still have 6mths membership to use.. they would have proof they were away surely . not just opt out for the winter months .
EZprophet
Head Pro
I struggle with your comparisons, how many police, fireman or nurses
Yeah I wasn't really comparing the jobs themselves, I just meant that the people of the armed forces aren't "better" than nurses or policemen simply because they put their lives more at risk. It is their choice to do that job and they know the risks involved before they do it.
I'm not saying I don't admire them because I do. I think their courage and bravery is amazing but giving them more special treatment than our firemen and police doesn't make sense because they are choosing to do it as their job. At the end of the day they wouldn't do it for free!
sev112
Tour Winner
Police get reduced subs at our place - i think that's fine
TonyN
Money List Winner
As you have merged quotes from Jammag and my self, I'm not sure which of this is aimed my way?
I'd love to sit here and respond to your comments, but I feel it would be nothing more than a petty arguement. I will say this tho...
Clearly you have served in the armed Forces and speak from experience, but so what. Does that give you the right to pass comment and judge each Police Force or its Officers based on what is portrayed by the media? No, not unless you have served in the Police Force too?
percy_layer
Challenge Tour Pro
Does anyone think that clubs might benefit from the special rates for Service Personnel?
So far i've seen arguments for and against the deals based on who deserves and doesn't deserve them.
What about what the club gets?
Positive PR in the community.
Extra income that would normally have gone elsewhere, maybe another club that does 2 for 1 or something similar.
Feel Good Factor that the club and members are supporting the Armed Forces in some way.
So far i've seen arguments for and against the deals based on who deserves and doesn't deserve them.
What about what the club gets?
Positive PR in the community.
Extra income that would normally have gone elsewhere, maybe another club that does 2 for 1 or something similar.
Feel Good Factor that the club and members are supporting the Armed Forces in some way.
Feel good factor,PR in the community.Does that really actually exist?
As a member of a club who partakes in cheap green fees and subscriptions I can honestly say if this happens for my club then I must have missed it all.
Again I am not saying it is right or wrong I'm saying that I have not seen any of the above you mention rearing it's head.
viscount17
Money List Winner
as I remember it, and it was a long time ago when Nelson was still a cabin boy, the way it worked in the states was that active duty personnel (green ID cards) got the discounts, reserve (blue ID cards) did not. Ours were all blue so they took some persuading but we also got discounts, on air fares and entry into Disney World amongst other things.
With the high percentage of reservists being deployed I don't doubt it's changed.
However, to the OP, I'm certainly not against the principal and definitely in favour of Lifeboat crews getting membership completely free, though I can also agree that there needs to be a distinction between those who go and those that don't. To make it more awkward, some squadrons could remain in the same place for years while sending off detachments for varying periods of anything from a few days to some months. However as we don't, can't or won't make the distinction it's either all or none.
Incidentally, does it also apply to the TA? Some of them deploy for months.
(I well remember one Chief who managed to stay at the same air station for about 8 or 9 years, while all around him were cycled through in at most 2. Every time he got a draft his wife would stage a 'breakdown'. He did get routed out eventually, either he took the draft or was out of the mob.)
With the high percentage of reservists being deployed I don't doubt it's changed.
However, to the OP, I'm certainly not against the principal and definitely in favour of Lifeboat crews getting membership completely free, though I can also agree that there needs to be a distinction between those who go and those that don't. To make it more awkward, some squadrons could remain in the same place for years while sending off detachments for varying periods of anything from a few days to some months. However as we don't, can't or won't make the distinction it's either all or none.
Incidentally, does it also apply to the TA? Some of them deploy for months.
(I well remember one Chief who managed to stay at the same air station for about 8 or 9 years, while all around him were cycled through in at most 2. Every time he got a draft his wife would stage a 'breakdown'. He did get routed out eventually, either he took the draft or was out of the mob.)
