VETS FURY AT ‘SNOWFLAKE’ ARMY AD SLUR
Apology demanded as soldier set to quit
RAGING veterans have demanded an apology for a Scots Guardsman who says he was branded a “snowflake” by the Army in a recruitment ad.
Stephen McWhirter, from Irvine, says he will quit the Army after his picture was used below the word “snowflakes” in a campaign poster.
The 28-year-old, who has protected the Queen at Buckingham Palace, claimed he had no idea his face would appear next to the slogan “Snowflakes – the Army needs you and your compassion” before the poster was unveiled. Forces charity Ancre Somme Association Scotland slammed the poster as “poorly designed and highly controversial”.
Chairman John Jenkins said: “Surely our Armed Forces personnel should be consulted before any campaign poster is designed, launched and revealed to the public?
“We do hope Guardsman Stephen McWhirter is given a full apology, compensated for the poor judgment and reconsiders resigning.”
Ex-infantry sergeant Cammy MacLeod, who runs veterans charity Who Dares Cares, said: “It’s outrageous. At the very least, he deserves a full apology. Maybe there wouldn’t be such a horrendous recruitment and retention crisis in the Army if they treated the people they have better.”
Stephen says he has been bombarded with mocking messages from colleagues.
The soldier, who is based at Wellington Barracks in London, expressed his fury on Facebook in a chat with other troops. One squaddie wrote: “Imagine the Army taking a photo of you and writing ‘snow flake’ in massive bold letters above your head. I’d be signed straight off.’ To which Stephen responded: ‘Don’t f ****** worry, mate, I am.’
Another soldier wrote: “Chances are he was told to sign a form allowing them to use his image. That said, he still has grounds for complaint as they have ended his career by corporate bullying.” Stephen replied: “Correct.”
Colonel Ben Wilde, of Army recruiting, said: “What we are trying to do is show anyone, regardless of their background, has opportunities in the Army.”