Our Troops - My Thoughts

[Geo the Sarge]

Shouting and Heroes and Awards

When I left the Army I settled into a cosy wee office job, most of my colleagues were great and there was a lot of respect shown to me, I was a bit older than most but also because of my Army background.

I was organised and I found it pretty easy to arrange my days work whilst others would struggle. I spent some time with those who weren’t as organised and gave them a hand and a few tips and gradually the majority of them found it easier to also manage their work. There were a couple who thought they knew better, or worse still would allow you to assist but you’d end up doing most of their work for them and were happy to let you do so. They were soon told to get on their bikes and struggle through.

After about a month in the job the questioning became tedious: “did you kill anyone? did anyone ever shoot at you? were you ever injured in battle? Same people asking the same questions day in-day out. At times I was unsure how to answer theses and certainly unsure as to what their reaction would be should I tell them the truth. It became apparent that a lot of them had no idea about Army life. I would often be told that it must have been a poor way of life for my family. They actually thought that I had to return to camp every night and leave my wife and kids. They didn’t even realise that we had married quarters, soldiers are soldiers, they live in barracks seemed to be the general thoughts.

The most common question asked was “why do soldiers always have to shout at each other?” Obviously they were referring to the many films and TV programmes where they see the soldiers shouting all the time and of course, they are correct, we did shout a lot of the time, in camp or on exercise and of course on operations.

And of course there are good reasons for it. The main reasons are to ensure an order is heard in the heat of battle, it is also designed to get an instant reaction, the correct reaction. Therefore as with anything else we need to practise this. Most commonly it starts with drill.

This is the first thing that a soldier is taught when he joins the Army. It is designed for the soldier to respond quickly and correctly to words of command. It also ensures that the whole section is responding together, that they all understand the commands, and also teaches them timing. For various drill movements there are pauses which must be maintained by all the squad. To see a squad out of sync as they go through drill routines is still one of the funniest things I’ve seen. A bit like watching someone walking down the road not paying attention and they take the “raised paving slab” tumble. We laugh, we know we shouldn’t but we laugh.

[Geo the Sarge]

This method is carried onto the various other subjects that a soldier learns throughout his career such as weapons lessons. Again we call them drills. The actions required are taught and then repeatedly barked to the soldiers until they all react correctly and each action becomes second nature to the soldier. In the heat of battle, soldiers act instinctively and correctly, because it’s built into them and is practised over and over again.

It’s when something different happens, something not quite by the book, that can often stop a soldier, or section in their tracks. You see, the problem is that we train to always be the victor, no different from sportsmen, no one trains to fail. The fact is quite often not everything goes to plan. Our Infantry works on the principle of 3 to 1. They attempt, whenever, to have a force 3 times the size that of which they are facing.

We have a basic set up of 3 infantry sections to a platoon, 3 infantry platoons to a Company, 3 Infantry Companies to a Regiment and then you will have your support Companies. Fire Support (Mortars-Anti Tank and Reconnaissance.) and Headquarter Company (Signals, Motor Transport, REME and the like.)

If our objective is thought to be defended by a section we will deploy a Platoon, if defended by a Platoon we will deploy a Company. This is the method practised throughout all training, unfortunately today’s operations do not span out in the same way as conventional war. Yet even when we practise for operations in Afghanistan and Iraq we still train as if it was a conventional war. Yes we add on extra Fibua training (Fighting in a built up area) but certainly not enough. Any soldier will tell you that Fibua is the hardest type of fighting of the lot.

So what happens when we are faced with something we haven’t been trained for, what happens when we suddenly find ourselves outnumbered or we just can’t seem to make headways against what we assume is a weaker enemy?

This is when we find our true heroes. The guys who take the initiative: the guys who can see past the training and look for a way out. The guys who will sacrifice their own life so that others succeed. Hero is a word too often used to describe any soldier who has served on operations. I’ve served on operations in Iraq, N Ireland & Bosnia, I’m no hero. I served, nothing special happened, I came home safe and was happy.

[Geo the Sarge]

You ask any soldier who has gained an award for bravery and he will tell you he’s no hero, he just done his job, he done what he trained to do. I say the opposite, in most cases they didn’t do as they were trained, in effect they disobeyed orders by not waiting for orders from their commanders. They went beyond their training and whilst others racked their brains thinking about what the manual would tell them to do, these guys seen it, knew what had to be done and just got up and done it. It’s not covered in the manual, it’s not taught to you as a recruit. If it goes wrong, you’re in the shit, if you get it right then you deservedly will be rewarded.

Their rewards, although they state for bravery, are more often for showing that extra bit of nounce, that un-teachable thing, that knack, that knowing what you are about to do is correct regardless of what the manual says. The medal says for bravery, does this mean that all his mates around him are not brave? I doubt that. These guys just had that ability to think beyond their training. These guys rarely describe themselves as heroes.

More often than not the medal says “thanks for getting us out of a tight spot, we almost fucked up there.” It happened to us in the 1st Gulf war. One of our platoons had got bogged down and when this happens it is easier for the enemy to locate your positions and increases the chances of accurate fire coming your way. In this instance, whilst the Sgt and Platoon Commander dallied, one of our Private soldiers took the initiative. Seeing that the platoon were coming under sustained accurate fire and could start taking casualties, he attacked one of the nearest trenches, with automatic fire and some white phosphorous grenades he took out the trench and it’s occupants and then directed fire onto further trenches, we gained the momentum and shortly after that we took the position. He was awarded the Military Medal. Also during the conflict two SAS soldiers, Andy (Bravo Two Zero) McNab and Chris Ryan were awarded the Military Medal, again they were put in a position of having to make and fight their way to safety after they had been let down by “higher formations.”

This leads to one of my biggest gripes, the Honours System. As well as servicemen and women we have the likes of firemen, police, ambulance etc who are equally deserving of honours. Some do receive awards but not as often as what I call the “celebrity awards” I have no problem with the awards given out to civilians who have overcome horrific tragedies etc and went on to do good from their experiences, no problems either with the community person who has worked hard within their communities to make a better life for those around them, regardless of ethnicity. We service people also see what we do as a service to the community. In my time in the Army I’ve also had to be a dustman, and a fireman, the emergency services do what they do for the community. It’s the sportsmen, the actors, the public figures. Surely these people get enough as it is.

The honours are given out twice a year, the Queen’s birthday in June and at New Year.

We see all sorts of MBE’s and OBE’s and the like dished out to all sorts of sportsmen and women, to actors and businessmen and women who all make a fortune from what they do. Alex Ferguson – a knight, Steve Redgrave – a knight, Elton fucking John – a knight (should’ve been a dame.) Sean Connery – a knight. The list is huge. For what? Excelling in a sport and putting tunes to songs or prancing about pretending to be a government agent? And before anyone hauls the old chestnut of  “but they also do a lot for charity,” in most cases they do this purely for their own means, it’s actually part of the criteria for “celebrity awards” that they have been involved with some sort of charity.

When I look over each honours list as it is announced I feel nothing but disgust for some who have received and sorrow for others that I know are far better contributors to this country.

Geo.

[amcgrath1uk]

Another few absolutely stunning posts there Geo.. please keep it up!!

[mondatoo]

Another few absolutely stunning posts there Geo.. please keep it up!!

+1 Top read is this great stuff Geo 

[Geo the Sarge]

Sorry for your loss mate.

I cant imagine what it would be like, my brother is in the army and has been for 17 yrs now, he joined junior leaders in his school uniform the day he left school, 17 years on he's done 3 tours of Ireland, 2 of Iraq,1 bosnia,and 1 of afgahanastan. I couldn't be prouder of him and the great work all our boys and girls around the world do, but whilst he's away I dread every phone call from my mum.

A few weeks ago, on the 100 yr celebration of the TA, they asked his regiment to supply a Challanger 2 and some guys to highlight the show, his few guys where the only enlisted men there and over the course of 3 days only one person came and said "cheers fella's great job". I find this disgusting why we dont support or forces.

This is one thread I look forward to reading, thanks for sharing it with us. 

Thanks mate,

I go over the thread often to pick up other wee bits I feel worthy of comment and this is one. I had this scenario quite often when I worked in recruiting.

During the sumer months we used to do a lot of KAPE (Keep the Army in the Public Eye) tours. We would gather equipment from all services and we would each set up a stand at the many local Fair or Fete's (no sure about anywhere else but up here we call then Gala Days.) They are huge days for the local communities, they all have their Gala Queens and some lucky young lass is chosen as Gala Queen, usually for a week and the young lady will get to attend all sorts of functions and importantly gets to officially open the Gala Day.

Over the years the forces have had to dumb down their attendance, usually due to the local council stance of not actively recruiting, they see it as a bad thing these days to openly suggest the Services as a career choice. The same thing is happening in the schools. Time was that we would attend most school career evenings and would show the varied careers offered by the forces. Sadly most schools do not let us in as per the reasons given above.

2 stories to relate from this:

1. We had been contacted by one of the high schools in an area called Niddrie, a real tough area and one of the poorest areas in Edinburgh. These areas were generally great hunting ground for us and we were always made welcome there.

The headmaster had told us that they were having some big anniversary bash for the school and part of the celebrations was an open day. They asked if we could supply some tentage and men to erect it and then to oversee the event. He did however ask that we did not bring any of our displays with weapons.

Fair enough, it was agreed that in 4 months time we would suppy the tentage and the personnell. It was arranged that I would accompany the Sgt Major taking charge to the school the following week to speak to the headmaster to discuss what was needed etc. We had a really good meeting and some of the teachers on the committee even expressed dismay that we weren't bringing any of our displays.

The meeting went well and we had all the details we required, however as we were about to leave the headmaster took us aside and quietly said "and I don't think that any of your guys should be wearing uniform, and can you also not use Army trucks to bring in the equipment. The Sgt Major shook his hand saying "well sir, when I return to camp I will call you this afternoon with the number of a tentage firm that will meet all your needs." And at that we left.

2. During one of the gala days I was manning a stand which was displaying the equipment issued and carried by the soldier. An elderly gentleman approached and started asking a load of questions. Soldiers love being asked questions and love to natter, especially on a long day such as a gala day, it hepls pass the time.

Anyway, he points to an item of clothing and asks "What is that jacket for?" I explained that it was the new Goretex waterproof jacket currently issued to the troops, it was waterproof, breathable and far better than any previous waterproof jacket issued. "pfft, it was a plastic poncho in our days, soldiers these days get it too easy" was his reply..........."What kind of boots are they?" he asks pointing to the calf length goretex boots which were then issued. I explained the make up of the boot and that once again they were goretex etc. "huh, when I served wee had the ankle length DMS boot and puttees, a good coat of dubbin was all we needed to keep our feet dry!"

This went on, item after item. After he had finished I kindly asked, "an ex Army man sir, what regiment did you serve in?" his reply was............."well I served in the Transport Corp (think it was RASC then) just after the war, done my National Service, got my licenses and got the hell out of it!!"

I laughed, here was I thinking this was a hardened veteran who was quite within his rights to tell me how it was so much harder in "them days" when in fact he had seen no active service whatsoever.

Geo.

[Geo the Sarge]

BTW: Apologies for not posting over the last coupla days, however I've been renovating and also been a wee bit poorly. Better now.

Geo

[suzanne]

Good to hear you are on the mend Geo....get well soon x

Interestingly enough I was one of those Niddrie kids :-)

Went to Greendykes Primary but we moved when I was 11 and I went to Tynecastle High.

A scary place is Niddrie (or was back then)

[ItsMrAlex2u]

Bump.

Waiting for more !!!

[Colchester Kev]

Come on Geo ... your readers are getting impatient.

[kinboshi]

Come on Geo ... your readers are getting impatient.

+1

[Ginger]

Come on Geo ... your readers are getting impatient.

+1

+2 

 

[mondatoo]

Damn I hate it when this has been bumped and there ain't another insightful read from you Geo,No offence to you "bumpers" just i would put this at number 1 of most interesting reads on here.So come on Sir your public awaits.

[phatomch]

I tell you what I fancy a minor rant whilst here, wtf are all these people celebrating some bint with a nose the size of a snow plough, who could only be loved by her mother (and JP) has won some poxy medals ...I am v proud to be English but wtf how much money has been ploughed into homecomings for medal winners compared to people in our forces??

I always try and make it down to portsmouth walls to watch our boys and girls coming home but the news has been full of bloody olympians getting welcome as if they have been given the medals for saving someones life not for fucking rowing or swimming fast..

[Geo the Sarge]

Apologies all. Some of you will know I've not been the best lately and added to that, pressures of work has taken up most of my time.

I'm due to go in for an op soon, was told six weeks about 5 weeks ago so am awaiting my letter (absolutely bricking it as I've never been in hospital before.) I should then have a clear 4-6 weeks to catch up.

I have started a few pieces which I keep tinkering with, one which I will post within the next couple of days that takes me back to my first story and I find very disturbing.

Geo