Rules and SOPs for Cold War Provost members...

The following basic Rules and SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) follow common sense and sound judgement. Please view and adhere to them with the same diligence as they were written.

1. AIMS & OBJECTIVES

1. The Aims and Objectives of Cold War Provost are to portray the Royal Military Police conducting Provost Operations (i.e. Operations in the field, not General Policing Duties) during the period 1960 through 1989, in a fashion that the members of public would find interesting and insightful.
2. Representation of the Units, Uniforms and Equipment of the Royal Military Police of the time, along with information on the various deployments that the RMP undertook are our main function, with our core display covering the year 1985/6.

2. MEMBERSHIP

1. Currently, Cold War Provost is a sub-section of Forces 80. As such, it is a requirement of membership of Cold War Provost that potential members first be full or Associated members of Forces 80, for insurance purposes. The following is taken from the Forces 80 objectives, and republished here with the permission of Forces 80 Senior members.

General

Membership of Forces 80 is simple. All you have to do is decide on the level of commitment you are willing to under take and take it from there. We do not expect that you attend every event, its up to you as to how much or how little you wish to do.

The degrees of membership are as follow:

Full

Full members are expected to attend at least two or more events a year in a manner that contributes towards the display.

They are also requested to join the umbrella group c20 (This provides the insurance cover necessary for them to attend certain events).

Associated

Associated members are those that can only attend one or two events a year in a manner that will contribute towards the display.

It is suggested that they join c20 (This provides the insurance cover necessary for them to attend certain events) but is not required although they may be excluded from attending certain events.

Honourary

Honourary membership is given to those who have contributed towards the growth of Forces 80 but are unable to participate and is at the discretion of the Senior Members. I.e. Current or ex-serving personnel.

Membership Fees

The group does not at this moment have any membership fees as such. Except for c20 Membership and the possibility of a small administration charge, but the latter is to be confirmed.

Insurance

Unfortunately many events are now requiring us to have public liability insurance. To allow us to participate at these events several members have joined an umbrella group called c20 with provides us with the insurance. To allow a member to participate at these events we suggest that they also join c20. This also gives us a greater presence within c20.

c20 membership

Membership to c20 (Twentieth Century Warfare & Living History Society) is not compulsory but it is beneficial as it allows us access to other groups and certain events. Membership currently stands at £17 p.a.

In the future this membership may become mandatory.

The web site is: www.c20warfare.org

2. Cold War Provost does not currently levy additional fees on its' members but this, if the team becomes large enough, may be reconsidered at a later date to cover administration and stationary costs.

Attendance to Training and Events

4. While attendance is not mandatory for each and every event we are scheduled to attend, Cold War Provostdoes require that you attend no less than two events per annum, to be made up of both training/Recruiting events and "live" events. This equates roughly to one event every six months - not very onerous, is it?
5. For the record, recruiting/training events will last either one or two days, with most large-scale live events probably lasting a full weekend in most cases (you'll be informed well in advance via the "Part One and Two Orders" system - see SOP 1 below).

3. CRIMINAL BACKGROUNDS AND/OR CRIMINAL RECORDS

1. Cold War Provost believes that people make mistakes, and that most people learn from these.
2. As a result, while a member may have a criminal record (unlike the members of the Real RMP, who may not have a criminal past), once a person has paid their "debt to society", that's that, and no further account should be normally be taken from that person by Cold War Provost.

UK Laws on the Rehabilitation of Offenders

3. However, UK laws and guidelines on the protection of children, and the safety of Firearms, override (and wisely so) this policy as follows:
   1. Persons convicted ay a court of any form of sexual offence
      (Protection of children),
   2. and persons sentenced to three years (36 months) or more in prison
      (Firearms Act - lifetime ban on the possession, handling, and/or use, of Firearms and/or Imitation Firearms),
4. shall not be eligable for membership of Cold War Provost whatsoever.
5. If it is found that an existing member of Cold War Provost has a criminal record as described above, that member will face immediate expulsion from Cold War Provost.
6. In addition, the Senior membership of the group reserve, where they deem it appropriate, to notify the Relevent Authorities regarding any breach of Rule 3(5) above.

Potential members with Theft and/or Fraud convictions

7. In addition, no person convicted by a court of any theft and/or fraudulent act who remains within their Spend Period as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 shall be eligable for membership of Cold War Provost (Honesty and personal integrety in doubt) without the consent of Senior Members. Their decision will be final, and no appeals will be entered into.
8. If an applicant to Cold War Provost has such a record, it would be prudent to disclose full details of the offence, and how the court dealt with it. These things have a habit of coming into the public eye after a time, after all.

4. POLITICAL AIMS

1. The Group has NO political agenda. The group likewise does not and will not enter into discussions regarding any of the politics of the conflicts that may be represented. We do not deny that certain conflicts during the 1960s through to the 1980s may or may not have been politically motivated and/or advantageous, but that is another story. Our main aim is to educate and remember.

5. PAYMENTS TO MEMBERS

1. The group does not have an actual income, and is unable to pay members to attend shows and/or events. It may be possible that if a member contributes in such a way that is beneficial to the group as a whole, and via pre arrangement if a event makes a donation to the group, that a contribution towards fuel costs could be made, but this is not always possible and must be agreed by the senior members well in advance.

6. SENIOR MEMBERS/TEAM LEADERSHIP

1. Senior Members are the founding members who are also usually responsible for organising the events. Their word on the conduct and organisation and administration of group "business" and "operations" and "Discipline" is final.

7. CONDUCT (ALSO SEE SOP 6 BELOW)

1. Cold War Provost members are required to act in such a way that does not reflect badly upon the group, its efforts and members, or its' allied groups.
2. If a member is found to have acted in a manner that is unacceptable and/or which brings or which could bring the Group into disrepute, then that member may be asked to leave the event in question, and depending on the severity of any offence given, may even be requested to leave the group entirely. In very serious cases (e.g. criminal acts) the Police may be called.
3. Strong political views, including those of a racial nature, are not tolerated within the group if aired in a deliberate tone as to cause offence - especially in public. In other words, mind your manners and your "Ps" and "Qs"!
4. We do realise that, from time to time, people do say things that could be construed as improper: This is only human nature, but overstep the mark and you may be asked to leave.

8. UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT

1. Membership of Cold War Provost, once granted, places a resonsibility on the member to obtain the correct basic combat uniform and equipment as soon as is resonably possible - at the very least, no later than nine months to a year from the initial membership grant.
2. We understand and agree that some of the kit we use is in very short and/or rare supply, but the reason for our being is Living Historical Re-Enactment, and the uniform and equipment is a major foundation of a group members participation, after all.
3. Failure to procure such will normally be viewed rather dimly, and may result in membership renewal requests being declined. The uniform and kit guide should assist new members in obtaining the correct clothing and equipment - remember, when in doubt, ASK!

9. RANKS AND BADGES

1. Forces 80 has an "absolutely no Officer ranks, and no enlisted ranks unless entitled to and/or given permission from the senior members of Forces 80".
2. Cold War Provost, due to the nature of the Regiment we seek to portray (All RMP personnel are at least a Lance Corporal, so as to place them in the military Chain of Command), has a conditional premission for Cold War Provost members to wear rank badges. However, these "Simulated Rank" badges MUST be authorised by Cold War Provost Senior members in advance of their being worn. This authorisation will be promulgated in the "Part Two Orders" system - see SOP 1 below.
3. In no way does the wearing or authorisation to wear any given rank badge denote that an Cold War Provost member is superior or better than any other member of either Cold War Provost, Forces 80, or any other Living History/Re-Enactment group come to that. The Rank badges worn on your uniforms are purely for show in the displays we conduct, although you will be expected, following training, to follow the general format of duties of the "rank" in question whilst conducting event duties (e.g., running the radio, map board, Pro Info Desk, etc).
4. The wearing of qualification badges on uniforms is likewise strictly controlled; such qualifications are normally the result of very hard work on the part of a serving soldier, particularly in the case of Parachute and Instructor qualifications, and in no way does Cold War Provost intend in any shape form or manner to belittle those servicemen's efforts. As a result, the following procedure should be followed by Members wishing to wear qualification badges on their uniforms:
   1. Members wishing to gain permission to wear specific Qualification badges should in the first instance apply to Senior Cold War Provost membership for permission to wear said badge on their uniform(s).
   2. The appropriate certification, either from attending and passing the requisite course while serving in the Military, or by means of attending and passing any equivalent civilian course, should be presented for proof and/or verification, prior to approval being granted through Part Two orders (see SOP 1.5 below).
   3. Once approval through Part Two orders is granted, Rank and/or Qualification badges may be applied to uniforms in the manner prescribed in the section "Placing badges of Simulated rank and qualification badges on your clothing..." on the Kit And Equipment" page of this website.
   4. A brief guide noting the most common or best recognised qualification badges and the qualification requirements therein is noted on the above-mentioned page and section.
5. It should be noted that members not adhering to the processes above will be required to remove, without argument or debate, those badges to which approval has not been granted for wear. Failure to accede to such requests may regarded as a breach of Rule 7 (Conduct) above.

10. WEAPONRY

1. No Living History or re-enactment group representing a military organisation would be complete without the appropriate weapons for the period as a part of their displays; the following are rules for their possession and use.

Weapons used and/or possessed by Cold War Provost members.

2. All members' weapons shall comply with UK legislation - currently the Firearms Acts, Antisocial Behaviour Act, and Violent Crime Reduction Act, and all the regulations leading from these pieces of legislation.
3. Specifically, only Blank-Firing, Plug-Fire, Airsoft, and/or legally deactivated firearms shall be shall be possessed by Cold War Provost members whilst at the events we attend.
4. In addition, weapons used by Cold War Provost members at display events shall be RMP-unit-specific: That is, one of the four weapons mentioned in the The uniform and kit guide. In all cases, Senior members will have the final say in whether a weapon is suitable for the display and/or event in question.
5. At no time shall any Air Weapon or live Firearm (whether or not licenced under the Firearms Acts) and/or live ammunition (whether or not licenced under the Firearms Acts) be brought to any training, Airsoft, or Living History/Re-Enactment event that Cold War Provost attends.

Display of weapons in public places and/or in transit.

6. Except in the case of Public Events where Cold War Provost are conducting a display, where the correct authorisation has been given to display such weaponry at that event, no weapon shall be displayed in a public place, either while in transit or on any other occasion (Firearms Acts and the Antisocial Behaviour Act apply).
7. Specifically, all weapons shall be either locked in a suitable carriage case, or secured in an all-covering gun slip or other bag or case.
8. In addition, in the case of blank-firing and/or PFC weapons, at no time shall ammunition be stored in the same compartment as the weapon in question.

11. MEMBERSHIP CARDS

1. Cold War Provost provides a membership card to all members. This is purely a membership card, not an identity card, warrant card, access card, or any other form or style of card. Members are requested to provide a single passport-approved level photograph on joining the group so as to allow for their membership card to be produced.
2. The membership card remains the property of Cold War Provost at all times. It must be returned on demand, and remains © 2007-9, Cold War Provost.
3. Misuse of membership cards is a serious offence, and may have legal repurcussions for the member misusing the card. Needless to say, any member found to have been misusing the membership card could well face expulsion from Cold War Provost.

12. LIST OF RULES

1. These rules are not exhaustive, and may be added to and/or amended at any time without prior or current notification or warning.

Cold War Provost STANDING ORDERS
(STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES)

Standing Orders and/or Standard Operating Procedures are here to keep us safe and help us, not hinder or impede us in our Cold War Provost activities. You should therefore do your level best to follow them. Remember: If in doubt - ASK!

SOP 1. "PART ONE AND TWO ORDERS"

1. From time to time, "Part One and Two Orders" will be promulgated within Cold War Provost, normaly via a posting on this web site, which might be echoed on whichever internet-based forum we are using at the time (c.20 was the original place for this, but was vandalised by outsiders, and the forum susequently closed).
2. In the British Army, "Part One and Two Orders"are used to publish important and/or timely information and announcements to all personnel at regimental level and below. Their use is authorised by Queens Reguations For The Army, 1975.
3. Cold War Provost will be no different in this regard, and it makes sense to use this format, as Part One and Part Two Orders are a feature of Military Life - thus they should be a feature of this Living History Group, even if only aimed at ourselves!
4. "Part One Orders" will contain details about Deployments (to events), Exercises (training events), Admin Orders, Courses, Course results, and other similar matters.
5. "Part Two Orders" will contain details about Cold War Provost announcements, honours, awards and commendations, promotions, qualifications awards, warning orders (for events and such like) and Operational Matters, such as Rules changes and/or amendments, SOP additions or amendments, and such like.
6. "Part One and Two Orders" will usually be published together, but this will not always be the case, and they may be publised seperately or not at all.
7. An example of "Part One and Two Orders" is shown here.

SOP 2. VEHICLE INSURANCE, MOT, TAX DISC, AND REGISTRATION

1. All vehicles belong to someone; those used by Cold War Provost will naturaly belong to one or more of our members; as such, the vehicle(s) must meet UK laws and regulations pertaining to vehicles.
2. Specifically, all vehicles MUST be road legal:
   1. They must be registered to the owner ("Current Keeper"),
   2. They must be insured (preferably Fully Comprehensive level insurance for peace of mind of both owner and possible passengers),
   3. They must possess, where required, a valid and up-to-date MOT certification,
   4. and they must be taxed with a current Road Fund Licence disk that is issued to that specific vehicle.
3. If a vehicle we wish to use at a display has any one or more of these legal requirements omitted or missing, that vehicle MUST NOT be used.

SOP 3. "MILITARY POLICE" MARKED VEHICLES

Vehicles on public roads

1. Conversant with UK legislation, all vehicles owned and/or operated by Cold War Provost members, whilst on Public Roads, marked as "Military Police", shall have ALL such markings securely and completely covered or where possible removed (see 80 PRO s2 SOP3 below); this includes all blue-light beacons, and "MILITARY POLICE" markings. Where a vehicle owner is concerned over the legislation, it is highly advisable to consult local civilian Police Constabularies to gain advice and guidance.
2. If neccessary, all "Military Police" markings and blue lights may have to be removed prior to accessing public roads, refitting such markings and lights once at the event in question, and removing them again prior to leaving said event.
3. Boiled down reference: http://www.ukemergency.co.uk/information/bluelightuse.htm

Vehicles on private land / at events

5. Whilst on private land and/or at events we attend, the legal restriction on markings is vague at best. Event Organisers should be advised in advance that "Military Police" marked vehicles will form part of the Cold War Provost Stand, and any advice or requirements/conditions they issue must be followed in full.

SOP 4. CONVOY DISCIPLINE

1. At all times whilst in convoy (two or more Cold War Provost vehicles travelling with each other), the following should be adhered to (It's actual military practice, and will help us to "get in character" for our events!):
2. Maximum speed: 50 mph (subject to local speed limits: Urban, 30mph, etc)
3. Headlights (NOT MAIN BEAMS) on at all times, whether day or night.
4. In dry road conditions, the "two second rule" is to be followed.
5. In wet (rain, etc) road conditions, the "four second rule" is to be followed.
6. In Snowy and/or Icy road conditions, the "TEN second rule" is to be followed.
7. Correct "Mirror, Signal, Manouevre" techniques must be followed.
8. Finally, all rules of the road, especially those outlined in the Highway Code, must be followed. It's YOUR driving licence, not mine, and you get the points and the fine when/if you foul up!

SOP 5. HANDLING AND USE OF WEAPONRY

Safe Handling of Weapons at events.

1. At all times whilst conducting event duties/activities, Cold War Provost members shall keep their weapons unloaded, and set to safe. At no time unless permission is granted in advance, or orders are issued at that time, by the senior Cold War Provost 'Officer' or 'NCO' present shall any weapon have a magazine fitted, whether filled with ammunition (of whatever type is applicable to that weapon), or empty.
2. In addition, at display events, all gas-operated and Battery-operated Airsoft weapons are to have their power source removed or so disconnected that it is difficult and/or time-consuming to re-connect such power source.
3. This is purely to prevent 'Negligent Discharges', which could, in some cases, cause harm to others, and which must therefore be avoided at all costs.

Use of weapons at events - Range Safety Rules.

5. Unless display event range safety rules dictate otherwise (specifically by increasing the distance noted here), no weapon of any kind shall be discharged within 50 feet of any road, path, or track - event rules override Cold War Provost SOP in this regard.
6. Further to this SOP, no blank-firing weapon is to be fired within 30 feet (approximately 10 metres) of a live target - blank ammunition has a habit of discharging particulate matter that can be hazardous to health within a certain range, and dependent upon manufacturer of ammunition, this range varies up to 10 meteres in a few cases.
7. In the case of Plug-Fire Cartridge (PFC) weapons, no PFC weapon is to be fired within 6 feet (2 metres) of a live target - even though technically no flame or particles should be discharged from the muzzle of a PFC weapon, for a belt and braces approach to health and safety, the general principles regarding blank firing weapons apply.
8. In the case of Airsoft weaponry, no Airsoft weapon is to be fired at a live target if within TEN FEET (approximately 3 metres): This is a basic range safety ruling that applies to most, if not all, Airsoft playing sites, and is intended to prevent serious injury to other participants.
9. When firing any kind of weapon at a Living History / Re-Enactment event, irrespective of type, always remember to "aim off" - that is, do not ever aim directly at your 'target' if a human or animal - this is to be considered a mandatory Cold War Provost Range Safety Rule that cannot be overridden by any other organisation.
10. In the case of Airsoft gaming events (which will only be attended by Cold War Provost if the site is a recognised and properly insured playing site), SOP 5.9 above will obviously not apply, as the object is to shoot the opposition players with 6mm and/or 8mm Airsoft pellets!

SOP 6. GUIDELINES FOR THE CONDUCT OF Cold War Provost MEMBERS

Conduct with members of the public

1. When dealing with members of the public, Cold War Provost members should be respectful, especially to veterans of military service (whatever their country and service), polite, and as informative as possible to all questions posed.
2. Do not argue with their comments, just thank them for their comments, and state that you will bring their comments to the attention of the group as a whole at the next group meeting - just be sure that you do, by the way - it would be rather embarrassing to be picked up on the same matter the next time that person saw us, only to say something like "oops, sorry, I forgot to mention it at the group meeting!"

Conduct with the real Military and/or Non-Cold War Provost Living History groups and/or Re-Enactors

3. When dealing with the real-world Military, other re-enactors, and Living History group members, military compliments (the salute) should, where required, be paid (even to Living History Re-Enactors portraying military Officers - please remember that no matter what you think of the person wearing the uniform, it's the rank you are paying compliment to), and the correct rank applied to other ranks; this is normal military etiquette, and should be observed by Cold War Provost members as a matter of course.
4. In all cases, no arguments should be entered into with real-world Military personnel and/or fellow re-enactors when in the view of the public - this would diminish both our, and their, standing and particularly our public image, and do the hobby a great disservice as a byproduct.
5. By all means, disagree on any point or points you feel someone may be incorrect about, but leave it at that - do not get into the endless loop of "No, I'm right, you're wrong," etc arguments!

Conduct with Fellow Cold War Provost members

6. Naturally, we should all get along with each other. However, there may be occasions (hopefully few and very far between) where someone will be at odds with someone else withn Cold War Provost. Whatever the reason or cause, you should at all times show restraint and common sense when dealing with fellow members of Cold War Provost, whatever the cause or reason for disagreement or other problem.
7. Where a situation gets out of hand, or has the possibility of getting out of hand, the disagreeing members concerned should seek assistance and/or rectification of the problem (if possible) from another member of Cold War Provost.
8. Remember: you are accountable for your own behaviour at all times!