Army Cadets Briefcases

[Gregjam]

Saw the usual group of army cadets in town on their “day off” and for no real reason I wondered why they always have their official briefcases with them. An obvious reason is that it is a requirement and ensures uniformity and a way of carrying any purchases without disturbing the very smart and orderly appearance.
Obviously I have had a quiet day as I also wondered if there are mandatory items required to be in their briefcases. Are the briefcases they use here used nationally or just a local thing.
Anyone aware of the actual reason or just a guess. I suppose this qualifies me for the dull men’s club but after many years of seeing them in town my skin has thickened enough to brave asking the question but my Thai is not up to asking them directly.

[pharvey]

Very much down to the American influence from years by IMO. Not "Briefcases" as such, but small luggage. I'm sure PeteC and others would share their thoughts on any US influence (or not).

[caller]

Very much down to the American influence from years by IMO. Not "Briefcases" as such, but small luggage. I'm sure PeteC and others would share their thoughts on any US influence (or not).

I've seen these when they occassionally turn up in Bluport. Definitely briefcases.

They reminded me of the time I used to use a standaed issue civil service briefcase, with the crown and ER stamped on the side.

[KanDoo]

I would make a small wager that the Yanks, and whatever influence they might have, don't have a thing to do with it. We try to blame the Yanks for everything but this is just silly. They don't go trotting into town with "briefcases" each and everyone.

[pharvey]

I would make a small wager that the Yanks, and whatever influence they might have, don't have a thing to do with it. We try to blame the Yanks for everything but this is just silly. They don't go trotting into town with "briefcases" each and everyone.

I'm not "Blaming the Yanks" for anything as you so eloquently put it "KanDoo"... Well, at least not in this instance

I'm trying to find the report/source, but I do remember the reference to US Servicemen having small suitcases but not a great deal larger than the aforementioned Briefcases. Thinking about things, they were popular after the end of WWII and the presence of US Servicemen in Japan - perhaps it was more a Japanese/Asian thing?

[pharvey]

Very much down to the American influence from years by IMO. Not "Briefcases" as such, but small luggage. I'm sure PeteC and others would share their thoughts on any US influence (or not).

I've seen these when they occassionally turn up in Bluport. Definitely briefcases.

They reminded me of the time I used to use a standaed issue civil service briefcase, with the crown and ER stamped on the side.

Fair enough caller - I've obviously not seen, but it was just a thought...

[joelle]

They reminded me of the time I used to use a standaed issue civil service briefcase, with the crown and ER stamped on the side.

Did you have your cucumber sandwich in it

[Big Boy]

I see them as well. As they only appear periodically in large numbers, I have always presumed they are simply part of a graduation pack from the NCO school.

The guy who lives next door to me teaches at the school. I will ask Mrs BB to ask him the next time she sees him.

[Big Boy]

OK guys, Mrs BB went out and caught him on his way to work. I WAS WRONG

These guys are all brand new recruits to the NCO school. The briefcase is part of the uniform issued when they join up, and new recruits are expected to appear in public with their full uniform.

I will add, I think it looks very smart.

[caller]

Did you have your cucumber sandwich in it

You bet I did! still a favourite of mine now. Actually, as my job was getting out and about and carrying papers and documents with me, it was regularly used for the purposes intended. But in the end, it wasn't big enough, so I bought myself something more suitable.

[Big Boy]

I bought myself something more suitable.

Me too - I found them them too small. Plus I felt the bag was like carrying around a mobile target.

I also found people at trade shows would look down their noses at the person carrying the bag, to the extent it would become a joke. I simply moved on to the next trade stand.

[Big Boy]

Plus I felt the bag was like carrying around a mobile target.

To reinforce that point, I'm currently testing my new VPN on live streaming from the UK, and the breaking news is about a soldier stabbed because he was wearing his uniform in public.

[pharvey]

To reinforce that point, I'm currently testing my new VPN on live streaming from the UK, and the breaking news is about a soldier stabbed because he was wearing his uniform in public.

Not exactly BB. The attacker was waiting outside an Army Barracks with the whole intention of "attacking a (British) Soldier". It's not really the case of the attack happening because the Soldier was wearing his uniform in public.

[Big Boy]

Exactly the same scenario. As terrorism grew, all evidence of being identified as a Government employee whether military or civilian became taboo. OK, you're saying he wasn't wearing a uniform - different to how the breaking news was reporting it - I did think it strange leaving barracks in uniform. However, walking around with a bloody great crown on the briefcase was as bad as wearing any uniform. We were all brainwashed into believing we were targets. I couldn't dump the briefcase soon enough.

We all walked through those same gates. Once everybody was wearing civvies, what better identification than a bloody great golden crown.

I was once almost denied a flight to Thailand because airport security picked on me, and I refused point blank to reveal my employer. Whether or not this applied across the entire Civil Service or just military branches I don't know, but it was an offence to reveal who we worked for. Walking around with a bloody great golden crown was a bit of a giveaway.

[pharvey]

Oh, I'm not arguing the point BB - far too many arsewipes out there who will attack anything or anybody representing King and Country. We have the "Rifles" here in Chepstow and I and the vast majority have huge respect for them. Unfortunately there are the occasional tossers from Bristol who pop across the bridge in the hopes of a beer fuelled punch up (not a go against Bristolians).

We see the army out and about in uniform during the week - mundane things like shopping at Tesco (!), but also helping with the local community. Uniforms are certainly absent during the weekend, due to the above.
The Rifles have been training Ukrainian Pilots through the Wye Valley - low/night-time flying.. Again, huge respect.

Anywho, sorry - getting away from the topic as is my wont these days