Our Troops - My Thoughts

[smashedagain]

So pleased mate. A lot of the guys who followed a few years ago I dont know or even see on the forum these days. We can get tighty to get in touch and tell em it's time to come back because your thread is back up and running again.

[leethefish]

Have you not got washing to do?

Gl to missus Lee

Geo

Lol Geo ...I'll pass on the gl to mrs fish thank you

[Geo the Sarge]

So pleased mate. A lot of the guys who followed a few years ago I dont know or even see on the forum these days. We can get tighty to get in touch and tell em it's time to come back because your thread is back up and running again.

As I was going back over the thread the last few days I couldn't help but notice so many heros of blonde throughout the thread. Some gone for varying reasons, never to return and others who simply faded out.

I don't really run with the "so many have left as blonde is so different these days." Yes some have left due to being offended by something/someone on the forum but some are simply doing different things and life has changed for them.

If you went back far enough you would find some threads far worse than we have seen the last year or two, others have been removed. Has the language changed? yes most definately, just as it has in every day life. Posts like yours on John Blacks thread can only educate and encourage new posters of what is deemed acceptable.

I have 3 sons (23-26-29) all brought up well and am constantly embarrassed at some of the things they come out with and when challenged they admit not really knowing the full reason behind the term "its just the normal speak these days auld yin." Once explained to them they use certain terms less, certainly in mine or their mothers company.

Don't know what the stats would be of viewing/posting compared to previous years but doubt it has changed much. Critiscism is good if it is constructive and presented reasonably. Whilst I have cringed at recent threads I was also cringing 5 years ago.

Geo

[Geo the Sarge]

Frankie continued through the training with many mishaps on the way, always badly prepared, always losing pieces of equipment and seemingly always on duty officer. This normally indicated he was picking up extra duties as punishment for misdemeanours either through indiscretions in the mess or possibly not completing tasks given by his commanders.

We arrived at Lydd and Hythe and settled in for the final and probably most important part of the training package, patrolling and reaction to various scenarios thrown at us. Throughout this part of the exercise Frankie did not perform well.

It had been a long and challenging package and we had just spent 2 weeks at Otterburn on field firing and were looking to get through this and on to some well merited leave.

One of our early patrols was a night patrol through the mock village where we were tested that evening with an ied going off at a phone box that one of the patrol had taken cover behind. Obviously not a full ied during training, merely a “flashbang” device designed to startle and indicate an explosion.

Frankie was totally out of sorts but with some cajoling from the Sgt he got things organised, cordoned the area, requested the various agencies – RUC - ATO – SOCO etc. We got it all done and finished off the patrol and were about to complete the final withdrawal to base when we were diverted back around the area we had just been tested on as Frankie had left his weapon propped against the wall. Needless to say one of the instructors had already removed this and Frankie was in deep shit.

Frankie never made it to Belfast with us.

Until the day I left the Army, if there was a major fuck up within our regiment it was usually described as a “Frankie.”

Fortunately there are very few Frankies come through officer training, on the whole most are really good. They have been through boarding/public school and for lots of that time they have lived away from home and learnt to look after themselves. They are usually tough as nails as by all accounts it a tough life at these schools and most have been involved in cricket or rugby during that time.

 Added to that their added bravado of must do everything and more the soldiers do then you can have one tough cookie. I’ve served with many more good officers than bad.

Geo

[smashedagain]

My dad was Royal Engineers. I seem to recollect him calling the officers Ruperts possibly

[leethefish]

Although this is not a great story and I can't tell it like Geo could ...this is my experience of a shit platoon commander!!

Whilst in celle Germany my infantry battalion was mechanised (we used the Warrior)


at the time I was trained in all three roles of this vehicle
Driver,gunner and commander ...my job at this time was 2-0 (the call sign) driver of the platoon commanders vehicle!

Now bear in mind I loved my job and knew every inch of the warrior inside out!

I had been away for 3 weeks or so on a course ......(lol just remembered what the course was basic boat operators course)
Me and my mate spike had "I can eat 50 eggs" prop !!

I gotta get ready for work so I'll continue this later!

[smashedagain]

Although this is not a great story and I can't tell it like Geo could ...this is my experience of a shit platoon commander!!

Whilst in celle Germany my infantry battalion was mechanised (we used the Warrior)


at the time I was trained in all three roles of this vehicle
Driver,gunner and commander ...my job at this time was 2-0 (the call sign) driver of the platoon commanders vehicle!

Now bear in mind I loved my job and knew every inch of the warrior inside out!

I had been away for 3 weeks or so on a course ......(lol just remembered what the course was basic boat operators course)
Me and my mate spike had "I can eat 50 eggs" prop !!

I gotta get ready for work so I'll continue this later!

Lol. Why start it and keep us in suspense all day

[leethefish]

Sorry jase ... I didn't realise the time!!
It's not even a good story just my experience of a shit officer

[tikay]

Although this is not a great story and I can't tell it like Geo could ...this is my experience of a shit platoon commander!!

Whilst in celle Germany my infantry battalion was mechanised (we used the Warrior)


at the time I was trained in all three roles of this vehicle
Driver,gunner and commander ...my job at this time was 2-0 (the call sign) driver of the platoon commanders vehicle!

Now bear in mind I loved my job and knew every inch of the warrior inside out!

I had been away for 3 weeks or so on a course ......(lol just remembered what the course was basic boat operators course)
Me and my mate spike had "I can eat 50 eggs" prop !!

I gotta get ready for work so I'll continue this later!

Lol. Why start it and keep us in suspense all day

That's another story, for another time.......

[leethefish]

Lol @ tk......still waiting for rags to riches !

[smashedagain]

As many Americans tell their military men and women. We appreciate your service guys

[Geo the Sarge]

Meant to add that its quite clear from our posts that you can see a slightly different approach to Tp/Pl Cdrs. As you said, you guys tend to only get involved (or are happier to let the Officers get on) than we can be. Your last sentence is quite the opposite to my own experiences, but theres a good reason for this that the layman won't understand.

In general, the cream of Sandhurst go to the infantry - with other good officers going to the Engineers and the like. Alot of the Corps, namely the RLC, get the dregs...the bottom 30 - 40%!!!

Can't agree on this at all. Most of them already know which Arm/Corp they wish to go to before they join up. IMO it's the progressive training for their subsequent roles and the soldiers they will be allocated that is different.

What you describe actually happens within the recruiting process and training establishments of the rank and file and rarely within Officer selection/training.

Geo

Edit:  note to self - 2 years as a Recruiting Sergeant - a real eyeopener

[tikay]

Lol @ tk......still waiting for rags to riches !

Shush, before everyone gets on my case.

[tikay]

So pleased mate. A lot of the guys who followed a few years ago I dont know or even see on the forum these days. We can get tighty to get in touch and tell em it's time to come back because your thread is back up and running again.

As I was going back over the thread the last few days I couldn't help but notice so many heros of blonde throughout the thread. Some gone for varying reasons, never to return and others who simply faded out.

I don't really run with the "so many have left as blonde is so different these days." Yes some have left due to being offended by something/someone on the forum but some are simply doing different things and life has changed for them.

If you went back far enough you would find some threads far worse than we have seen the last year or two, others have been removed. Has the language changed? yes most definately, just as it has in every day life. Posts like yours on John Blacks thread can only educate and encourage new posters of what is deemed acceptable.

I have 3 sons (23-26-29) all brought up well and am constantly embarrassed at some of the things they come out with and when challenged they admit not really knowing the full reason behind the term "its just the normal speak these days auld yin." Once explained to them they use certain terms less, certainly in mine or their mothers company.

Don't know what the stats would be of viewing/posting compared to previous years but doubt it has changed much. Critiscism is good if it is constructive and presented reasonably. Whilst I have cringed at recent threads I was also cringing 5 years ago.

Geo

That is SUCH a great Post in so many ways, Geo, & kudos for the reference to Jason, in fact I wrote & thanked him (via PM) at the time. He handled it with such Un-Herbie like touch, feel & subtlety.

I don't think I should comment further, at least not on here, as this is such a grand thread, & I don't want to derail it.

An incredibly understanding & thoughtful Post, though. Happy to discuss it on another thread any time if you so desire.

[leethefish]

Although this is not a great story and I can't tell it like Geo could ...this is my experience of a shit platoon commander!!

Whilst in celle Germany my infantry battalion was mechanised (we used the Warrior)


at the time I was trained in all three roles of this vehicle
Driver,gunner and commander ...my job at this time was 2-0 (the call sign) driver of the platoon commanders vehicle!

Now bear in mind I loved my job and knew every inch of the warrior inside out!

I had been away for 3 weeks or so on a course ......(lol just remembered what the course was basic boat operators course)
Me and my mate spike had "I can eat 50 eggs" prop !!*

I gotta get ready for work so I'll continue this later!

*as my hero Tikay would say ......That's another story, for another time.......

I came back and whilst i had gone on said course we had a new platoon commander  join our platoon.
also our platoon Sargent was away on a course so a corporal by the name of ................was acting  platoon sergeant.......corporal was a complete Tw@t and a bully to the junior soldiers  but to be fair he did know his stuff!!

i got back really early one morning like 5 am, checked orders and vehicle maintenance was to be done that day didn't see a point in going bed so wandered up to the vehicle shed put my overalls on and cracked on with the general maintenance of the warrior.

the rest of the platoon turned up about 8 ish
with them the new Rupert!

he done nothing more than to shout at the top of his posh voice ....words to the affect who the fuck are you touching my wagon get the fuck down and salute me to start with!
 (i was a grade 1  private soldier)
then you can explain why the drivers seat is out and i want to go on a test to the ranges.

Corporal .......... then came over and asked what was going on to which the Rupert (cant remember his name for the life of me!!) replied this stupid fucking private soldier has the seat out and i want to take the wagon to the ranges!

Corporal .......replied with sir this is Williamson your driver !! listen to him because  he knows this vehicle inside out which is why hes your driver!!

"wind your neck in corporal...........i want this ready to go in ten min"

Corporal.........pulled me to one side and said something like teach this prick a lesson only move when your told lets see what happens !!

so as a platoon we went on a test run to the ranges about 5 miles from camp ...4 warriors in convoy..
they look awesome an impressive  sight!

so via the intercom the Rupert said turn right out of camp foot down lets go Williamson .....

i was about to tell him we should turn left then right ...when i remembered what Riley told me oops !! 4 warriors  trying to turn around in the family's NAFFI car park was funny
especially as i didn't remind him a warrior can do a neutral turn  





........I decided to remove the corporals name and left .......... In place
Just in case!