After much searching I have found the letter which came with my RMA membership card. When I earlier stated that the only entitlement I had as a HQ Roll member was cheap beer I was wrong!. In fact I can also get free admission to the Corps Museum along with a guest. I therefore stand corrected!.
If it is one thing that raises my hackles it is when people obtain a position of 'power' and then abuse it, using the excuse that they believe their actions are in the best interests of those who placed them there. This is what appears to have happened with the RMA, and needs to be challenged and changed ASAP.
Jim T
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The RMA
There is one point that most people are missing,the RBL was set up for the Sole purpoe of EX members of the armed forces,and can not be compared with an organisation that covers serving members as well,because of the fact you are dealing with serving personnel a great deal of tact and diplomicy has to displayed.and yes some time the official secrets act is enforced,there are certain cases in the RBL that is also enforced,There are a lot of rules and regulations that are laid down that must be strictly adhered to,As for losing money have a look around.look how many "RBL" "RNA" "RAFA" clubs and branches are closing down because of the lack of funds.even at the top its the same,and this is the big league,just sit back and think about things,the main purpose of us trying to campain to the RMA was to get an official Web Site,NOT to dictate the running of the organisation,that can only be done at conferences,Tony is Not an Elected deligate neither is this Web site,all we are doing is letting outsiders think the wrong things about us,
John_D
John_D
I agree that we have strayed from the point a little (well quite a bit actually) but it is an open forum where we can exercise freedom of speech. However we are speaking from the heart and this is the way it is seen by some. I would also like to join the RMA and would like to encourage more of my generation to do so.
I am not about reorganising the RMA, again like Brian I would like to see the RMA promoted positively through the Internet Media and to encourage the RMA to provide or endorse an Official Site to provide wider services to it’s members and make those of us not members more aware of the RMA and what it can do for us all. From this I would hope that the Internet would be used to gain a wider membership, put on more social and corps functions and provide an alternative fund raising platform. At the same time ensuring it’s longevity.
I am not about reorganising the RMA, again like Brian I would like to see the RMA promoted positively through the Internet Media and to encourage the RMA to provide or endorse an Official Site to provide wider services to it’s members and make those of us not members more aware of the RMA and what it can do for us all. From this I would hope that the Internet would be used to gain a wider membership, put on more social and corps functions and provide an alternative fund raising platform. At the same time ensuring it’s longevity.
Yours Aye
Tony L
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Tony L
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The RMA is a democratic organisation which is well structured, however you can only change an organisation from within. If you don't join then you can have no say. You may have views but they is no channel for them.
When putting information about individuals or organisations on to the internet, we must be conscious of the privacy that may be invaded.
When putting information about individuals or organisations on to the internet, we must be conscious of the privacy that may be invaded.
Brian Easton
One thing that seems to be said a lot by members all through the different on-going discussions is that the RMA is there for serving members as well as ex-royal.
Well I can never ever in my time in the Corp remember being told about the existance of the RMA or about Branch locations.
Perhaps this could be a good starting point for the RMA to have it included in the training and provide an introduction to sprogs (sorry young trainees) during the early period of training.
I'm sure if I had known about it during my time I would have gone see, instead I spent a lot of time in RBL and RAFA clubs and still do.
Education at an early age, isn't that what they say is good????
Well I can never ever in my time in the Corp remember being told about the existance of the RMA or about Branch locations.
Perhaps this could be a good starting point for the RMA to have it included in the training and provide an introduction to sprogs (sorry young trainees) during the early period of training.
I'm sure if I had known about it during my time I would have gone see, instead I spent a lot of time in RBL and RAFA clubs and still do.
Education at an early age, isn't that what they say is good????
I think this is a very valid point as my only venture into the RMA presented me with the same feeling. The pure fact of life is that for the RMA to succeeed it needs to incorporate the lower ranks. This is why the RBL is such a success, run by the people for the people....no not comunism just simple facts more of us than of you. It is true for every sgt there has been 200 marines.
I think the RMA needs to look at the structure as being more giving and to step away from what I have seen as a close resemblence to an old boys club.
Why is the RBL such a success its for the small person. I have over the years seen more and more Marines going over to the RBL and seen many front line at rememberance day for the RBL (never any Mention of the RMA at the festival of Rememberence?????).
So it might be nice to see and elected member not an appointed leader, after all this is for us not for the CORP, or have I got this all wrong????????????
I think the RMA needs to look at the structure as being more giving and to step away from what I have seen as a close resemblence to an old boys club.
Why is the RBL such a success its for the small person. I have over the years seen more and more Marines going over to the RBL and seen many front line at rememberance day for the RBL (never any Mention of the RMA at the festival of Rememberence?????).
So it might be nice to see and elected member not an appointed leader, after all this is for us not for the CORP, or have I got this all wrong????????????
As an association numbers and membership is the only information that has to be made available, though I agree that it would be a real turn out to see how many Marines (lowliest of low) are members and in which areas compared to other ranks. As I have already said there have been more gash hands than corporals sgts and officers put together.
Officers to men ration:-
I don't know the actual number but it will be low if not very low.
At the Lympstone reunion parade there are approx 30 Officers on parade compared with 300 - 400 SNCOs' and ORs'.
I can understand the feelings people have about the SNCOs' mess, and I think the organisation is often seen as an extention of this.
I don't know the actual number but it will be low if not very low.
At the Lympstone reunion parade there are approx 30 Officers on parade compared with 300 - 400 SNCOs' and ORs'.
I can understand the feelings people have about the SNCOs' mess, and I think the organisation is often seen as an extention of this.
Brian Easton
Skimming through this topic I have a couple of points to make;
1. The varing input shows the diversity of interest and the great passion that this site is generating - it proves what an excellent forum this is.
2. I believe the RBL is a success because of its excellent charitable works and its high profile (national and international). The clubs are a complementary'add-on'.
3. As an ex serviceman I regularly get info about RBL and SSAFA
; as an ex RM I get no info about RMA 
.
4. I understand the RBL clubs have widen their membership doors. Unfortunately I visit my local club recently to enquire about membership, no-one except the bar steward acknowledge us, and he proved unhelpful and lacking in background knowledge (he didn't even know how much membership was). I was disappointed to discover that this particular club was grasping popular culture, full of ladettes and bad language. It was a dark and smoke filled place reminicent of a Pongo's NAAFI
!
5. Some years ago I ventured into a RNA club in London, it was welcoming, cheery, without rank - well run and relaxed. But there were standards of dress and behaviour. A thoroughly good run. In addition they had excellent contacts within the community and local charities !!!
6. Everwhere within management, except it seems the RMA, the buzz words are openness, transparency, empowerment, partnership, etc.
These may be strange bedfellows within an organisation so closely linked to any of the armed forces, but they must be an integral part of the DEVELOPMENT of any future strategy, let alone the actual strategic plan.
Yours Aye
1. The varing input shows the diversity of interest and the great passion that this site is generating - it proves what an excellent forum this is.
2. I believe the RBL is a success because of its excellent charitable works and its high profile (national and international). The clubs are a complementary'add-on'.
3. As an ex serviceman I regularly get info about RBL and SSAFA
; as an ex RM I get no info about RMA . 4. I understand the RBL clubs have widen their membership doors. Unfortunately I visit my local club recently to enquire about membership, no-one except the bar steward acknowledge us, and he proved unhelpful and lacking in background knowledge (he didn't even know how much membership was). I was disappointed to discover that this particular club was grasping popular culture, full of ladettes and bad language. It was a dark and smoke filled place reminicent of a Pongo's NAAFI
!5. Some years ago I ventured into a RNA club in London, it was welcoming, cheery, without rank - well run and relaxed. But there were standards of dress and behaviour. A thoroughly good run. In addition they had excellent contacts within the community and local charities
!!!6. Everwhere within management, except it seems the RMA, the buzz words are openness, transparency, empowerment, partnership, etc.
These may be strange bedfellows within an organisation so closely linked to any of the armed forces, but they must be an integral part of the DEVELOPMENT of any future strategy, let alone the actual strategic plan.
Yours Aye
