Cajun said:
On the other hand, Aerospaced_Out does make a valid point. When anything serves to divide a team of individuals expected to act in synchronicity, often in very serious or stressful, even life or death situations, I don't think that can ever be a positive thing.
Seriously?
No really. You honestly believe that a life or death situation (and I can think of several aircraft-related scenarios) will be exacerbated by the
badges worn on flying suits?!
.....are those already in possession of said wings; an AESOp, a Pilot, and a Nav (and someone wearing jump wings, judging from the avatar), which, like it or not, does possibly speak to that perceived sense of elitism.
As noted in my
profile, I have "several qualification badges" -- slightly more specific, while retaining anonymity, I have been awarded
* Aircrew (full-wing), Parachutist, and Dive badges, including foreign freefall and static-line jump wings and dive badges from three continents. At the end of the day, they're just fucking badges (although my Mess Kit looks pretty awesome
)
To be honest, I seldom think of elitism, believing that implies an exclusive club actively barring others' entry.
Perhaps it would be better to think in terms of "if you really, really feel you'd be a better person by having some badge, then get out there and qualify for it, rather than coming onto an anonymous forum and whining about how people with 'elitist and divisive badges' make you feel....sad -- so sad, that those
other people, and the Dress Regs, should change."
Mind you, I have, on this site, been referred to as "condescending," but I assure you that resulted more from the poor quality of thought put into some posts [not referring to this thread] rather than any elitist feelings based on my 'I love me' wall. ;D
* "Awarded," as in "earned" -- a term unpopular with social engineering types who believe we're all the same and that any sense of elitism, or personal pride in accomplishment, is evil. Sorry, but while our society seems increasingly determined to hobble ability to spare the feelings of under-achievers, I've never been a fan of striving for the lowest-common denominator.
[/rant]