Our Troops - My Thoughts

[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!

[smashedagain]

[leethefish]

This said corporal was such a cock !
The platoon sergeant had put my name down fo the upcoming NCOs cadre (promotion course) but once he went away doin his  course the acting platoon sergeant took me off and put "his mate" in my place .....

[jjandellis]

I find this very interesting. Our Parliamentar system actuall employs MP's to bully...........They call them Whips.

Even at the highest level of our society ffs!!

Whip System

Whips are MPs or Peers appointed by each party to maintain party discipline. In a sense they are personnel managers who convey information between party leaders and back bench members. Part of their role, however, is to encourage members of their party to vote in the way that their party would like in important divisions. They are sometimes accused of being too strict in their dealings with Members but this is often exaggerated. Each party in Parliament has found it necessary to have Whips to ensure the smooth running of parliamentary business. In fact they are felt to be so important that the Opposition Chief Whip and two other Opposition Whips are paid a parliamentary salary. All the Government Whips receive a salary. The Commons Whips have offices situated near the Members' Lobby. From here they produce an agenda (also known as the 'Whip') for their party setting out the week's business and how they would like members to vote. Whips also manage the pairing system and often act as tellers during divisions.


And they get paid extra for it.

Geo

Bullys who throw their toys out the pram when Police Officers don't let them have their own way...

[leethefish]

I can eat 50 eggs!



Me and spike (a very close friend) went on this course ....just for fun no real purpose but hey basic boat operators course .....always gonna come in handy!!

So we are in the naffi bar as you do on any outside course in Germany nothing around for miles....

After about 3-4 bottles of becks ...always becks in Germany! Got the munchies .....no food ! What ?
Crisps ...ran out ,nuts ?...lol
We have pickled eggs the guy behind the bar says

Spike immediately in paul Newman stylie said those words

"I can eat 50 eggs"

Be both got pissed on becks and every round was

"gaffer 2 becks 4 pickled eggs please"

No idea how many eggs in the jar Prob had 12-14 each ......god I was Sick the next day!!