Unit pride was RE: Questions regarding NAC ground units

G'day guys,

> >it's the name and regimental traditions that are
> >important. 
> 
> I shout "First on Omaha" at batallion formations (or
> did when I still went to them).  I wear 2 Presidential
> Unit Citations, and three other unit awards, the last
> one earned in action in Vietnam.  I'm at least vaugely
> aware of the significance of unit history...

Well as someone with no military experience and no associations to call
upon
(and hopefully without stirring up this joint into anymore of a hornets
nest
than it already is, I'm not trying to be insulting or start a new round
of
chest pounding and profanity I'm honestly, and if I dare say it
innocently,
interested), could you guys give me a (quick) perspective on why it
matters
so much? 

At the risk of getting myself expelled from Australia (this list and
wargaming in general I guess) I have always marvelled at people quoting
our
(Australia's) "digger" traditions and proclaiming we're damn fine
soldiers
based on something that happened when my grandfather still got acne! OK
I
know Aussie soldiers (and obviously this extends to other nations too)
have
"done good" since (e.g. Long Tan... sorry if I spelt that wrong), but
even
that can be a good while ago (Vietnam is something I know about, but at
28
don't remember it for myself). Maybe its just my non-military upbringing
and
the fact the closest to combat I've been is sport and academia (OK they
do
say the pen is mightier than the sword, and science politics is not for
the
weak at heart, but you know what I mean), but in those fields this years
"greats" can be next years "flops" its never a steady and constant
thing. So
is all this pride in unit history there so that you don't let the side
down
when it comes your turn or is it the hope that you won't let the side
down?

Just wondering - and before you all think I'm a complete non-starter I
do
realise the importance of knowing history and the pride of traditions
etc,
I'm just interested to hear/understand how come its so strong
generation-generation in matters military... especially after some of
the
old blokes that inhabited my local when I lived in Scotland spoke of
units
up there (in the UK in general I guess) that could trace back 100s of
years
and how that proved they were kick ass (even when the units had been
less
than exemplary in the interim).

Cheers

Beth