Uniformly Gorgeous, Part 2

A guest post by my truckbuddy Tim from England, now resident in Spain:

Tim’s Take on Spain

Uniformly Gorgeous Pt 2 – What I did on my day-off!

I thought it was time to have another look at our boys in uniform, and the image of young Mr Gyllenhaal above captures today’s theme nicely – a uniformed man taking some time off. Although most Spanish lads love to wear a uniform, what do they get up to when they have some down-time? How do they look in civvies compared to fatigues? My research suggests that many like to slip into something more comfortable – so read on!

By the way, it’s not always easy to finding matching images of the same person in and out of uniform. Indeed, currently proposed government legislation will make it illegal to photograph members of the military and police when on duty; it’s already a sensitive issue. But I have done my best to find photos that at least capture the right look.

October 12th was Columbus Day, and in Spain it is also celebrated as the Diá de la Fiesta Nacional, a celebration of Spanish values and culture, including its relationship with the worldwide Hispanic community. It is also the national armed forces day, when the serving and fallen members of the armed forces are remembered. My eye was caught by the image of a handsome young soldier in the advertising for the event.

And I did manage to find a better close-up. What a studly young man he is!

Unfortunately, he remains anonymous, but he does appear in this video made to promote the event, appearing at the end of the short clip. (Also look out for a guest appearance by the Editor at 0:12!) So on his days off, soldier boy seems to like the countryside and hiking, but prefers to stay in his uniform. However, with that engaging smile and designer stubble, he would certainly have a great career in modelling, and I’m sure his personal weapon would be very photogenic!



Fortunately for us, other Spanish men in uniform are less anonymous. So let’s see how the police are doing. First we move on to our local bobbies, usually dressed in black and yellow, and wearing the obligatory sunglasses, the Policía Local. These guys are funded through local government in most large towns or municipalities; and are responsible for minor criminal matters, local traffic control, crime prevention and the enforcement of local laws. The officers in my area of Mijas seem to be hand-picked for their looks; it’s rare to see one you wouldn’t mind accompanying to the station. This one is packing something!

Enter local policeman Jorge Martin from nearby Cártama. When not in uniform, he enjoys sport as his hobby, and last year came second in the ‘Mister Model’ category of the Mr Universe competition held in Germany. Jorge is 2nd left – nice abs!

I can only agree with one Cártama resident who said she now wouldn’t mind being pulled over for speeding around the town. And I hope he has his posing pouch as well as his truncheon and handcuffs when I visit. Here’s a close-up of our policeman ‘pumping’ - Woof! And in typically Spanish fashion, even his hair is tanned and ‘pumped’ – LoL!

The Policía Local forms the bottom tier of the three main levels of policing in Spain. At the top are the Policía Nacional, they deal with major crime and public order. Sandwiched in between are the Guardia Civil, still part of the armed forces; they live in barracks, often with their own schools, and receive about half the pay of their civilian counterparts! Needless to say successive governments have turned down their requests to be civilianised. Famous for their shiny black tricorn hats, the tricornio, as it is called, is now only ceremonial. They are equally famous for their zero-tolerance approach to most offenders and offences; and are the main policing force throughout the country, including many specialist branches such as mountain rescue, coastal patrol and bomb disposal.

Surprisingly, the Guardia were one of the first forces in Europe to adopt gay equality and to accommodate same-sex partners in a military installation. One of the first officers to come out in 2002 was Joan Miquel Perpinyà, shown here on the cover of gay magazine Zero at the time.

And to prove the point, officer Ángel Fernández was Mr Gay Pride for the province of Murcia last year. Here he is receiving his award, and definitely looking very proud in his off-duty clothes! He says he works out everyday, either in the gym or swimming, and on his days off enjoys his family, friends and his dog – good man. So well done Joan and Ángel. And well done the Guardia Civil too for being so enlightened.

Back to the army and another Mr Universe contestant, Rubén Lopéz, who won the most handsome man category in this year’s competition – good choice!

And here is Rubén in uniform – and that obligatory designer stubble. Grrr!

He has been a model since he was 14 years old. He’s only 22 now and whilst remaining in the army; carries on with his modelling career during his spare time. He’s also studying for a degree in physical education, I think he’ll pass. Here’s a link to a piece on Rubén with a short video clip of him at work, including a shot of him erecting his aerial – he’s in a signals unit!

Like his brothers in uniform, Rubén also seems happy to slip into something more comfortable on his days-off. Any more comfortable and Russ wouldn’t let me use the image! How does he fit it all in? The work load I mean!

And what about yours truly I hear you ask? What did I do on my days off? Well, Dear Reader, when not in flying gear and upholding the finest traditions of the Royal Air Force with my crewmates as pictured here . . .

. . . I naturally slipped into something more comfortable myself, and practised my beach-boy look, of course. Though it’s probably just as well I didn’t enter for Mr Universe at the time!

In a future ‘Uniformly Gorgeous’ I shall concentrate on the Spanish Legion. With their sage green uniform of open-neck shirt and tight trousers, they certainly need and deserve a post all to themselves, as you can see from the studly chap below. They are even allowed to grow huge, full beards, not just stubble, so that will please Russ! [Russ says: it certainly would!]

I couldn’t resist closing with this wonderful image of a young drummer boy also from the Legion, or El Tercio, as it is commonly known in Spain. Isn’t he gorgeous? I don’t know what he does on his days off; perhaps he plays the bongos at night in some camp bar? Whatever, he could certainly be my Mr Universe!

To play us out, a cautionary tale about love for a soldier and his drum. I don’t know exactly what he did on his day off to lose all his clothes, but I can think of a few possibilities! ‘Soldier, Soldier, will you marry me?’  Sung here by Jimmie Rodgers; and one of the songs my mother used to sing to me when I was a child. I was always her ‘little soldier’. There’s just the one image to the video I’m afraid, so enjoy another look at the ones above whilst you listen! Hasta Luego!