Tom Morgan Posted 20 August , 2013 Share Posted 20 August , 2013 I originally asked this question in the "re-enactors" thread but removed it because I thought it might divert Pals' attention from the aims of that thread. So I'll ask here. Why have so many pals started saying, "The Military" when they mean, "The Army"? Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khaki Posted 20 August , 2013 Share Posted 20 August , 2013 A good point Tom, I note that here it's common for a veteran to identify themself as having been in the military as a point of introduction, the most notable exception would be the Marines. Sad to say regimental or even divisional association as reference of service seems to be a thing of the past. regards khaki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Clifton Posted 20 August , 2013 Share Posted 20 August , 2013 Is it an import from America? I would expect British servicemen to say "I was in the Army/Navy/RAF" or possibly Marines, or even "I was in the Forces" which was commoner in my younger days.- when in fact most adult men had been. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Davies Posted 20 August , 2013 Share Posted 20 August , 2013 A good point Tom, I note that here it's common for a veteran to identify themself as having been in the military as a point of introduction, the most notable exception would be the Marines. Sad to say regimental or even divisional association as reference of service seems to be a thing of the past. regards khaki I don't agree. Regimental association as reference of service is most definitely alive and well. As for divisions, we've only got 2 left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 20 August , 2013 Share Posted 20 August , 2013 Agree with gareth regarding regimental associations: divisional is much a wartime thing, I'd say so with the passage of time it stands to reason WW2 divisional associations will die out (literally). Regarding "The Military" I don't know. It seems to me to have been around a long time, but I'd vaguley assumed it covered "The Services" as a whole. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 20 August , 2013 Share Posted 20 August , 2013 Possibly first used by civilians? A chap I knew years ago described Earl's Court Exhibition centre as having been "taken over by the military" shortly before the Royal Tournament. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Davies Posted 20 August , 2013 Share Posted 20 August , 2013 I think it depends who is using the word. In theory I think Steven is right, it applies to all but a quick straw poll (sample size 1 sailor) suggests that sailors (or more correctly a sailor) wouldn't refer to themselves (herself) as being in the military. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khaki Posted 20 August , 2013 Share Posted 20 August , 2013 I don't agree. Regimental association as reference of service is most definitely alive and well. As for divisions, we've only got 2 left. Hello Gareth, In my post the reference to 'here' meant in the USA, not the UK or this forum, sorry, khaki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Davies Posted 20 August , 2013 Share Posted 20 August , 2013 Hello Gareth, In my post the reference to 'here' meant in the USA, not the UK or this forum, sorry, khaki No, the apologies should be mine. I need to RTFQ more carefully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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