Ask US anything about life in the Forces

[celtic]

No racism amongst the soldiers etc, but what about against the people of the countries you have served in?

[George2Loose]

Do you think national service should compulsory?

Is there much banter between the other forces if u work together (navy, RAF)

[Geo the Sarge]

What are the best and the worst things about serving in the forces?

Good:

Travel obviously, I was fortunate to travel throughout the UK, most of Europe, Cyprus, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, US - Washington State and Seattle were immense.

Sport/adventure training (Hill climbing/rockclimbing/skiing/scuba diving) there are Forces associations for almost any sport. If you excel at a sport you can spend a good bit of your career doing nothing but your chosen sport. Think Akabussi - Kelly Holmes and others - so much of their career time spent doing sport at a high level and still making good rank (although not neccesarily for military competence) I had a period of about 5 years when I was football for 6 months and basketball for the other 6 playing for both the Regiment and Infantry sides.

Bad:

Time away from family, it's definately a single mans career nowadays - too many operations on the go, very little home time.

Being prohibited in entering some drinking holes or clubs, even in my home town, simply because I was a soldier. Edinburgh here has a large Garrison with 3 Regiments and has had for many years.

Witnessing horrific scenes, whether death and injury during operations or visiting poor areas of some of the countries we exercised in.

Death of colleagues/siblings.

Geo

[Marky147]

Do you think national service should compulsory?

Is there much banter between the other forces if u work together (navy, RAF)

I spent 18 months at a tri-service base, played rugby with loads of RAF/Army lads and the banter was great. Even outside of Rugby I can't think of many people I didn't get on with, and I think the Signals lads were generally the only ones who got into shit more often than any others.

That was generally down to the fact they came to Chicksands straight from basic if I remember rightly, so it was their first chance to let of steam if you like, and there were definitely some exciteable characters amongst them.

Millidonk was at the same base too, so would be able to offer some insight from a RAF perspective and I imagine it wouldn't be much different. The RAF actually had a welcome party in the form of 'Kaz' I think it was back in 2002

[Geo the Sarge]

Is there much racism in the forces?

There always has been, you must remember that before joining the Army they were Joe Bloggs civvy street

More likely to become more tolerant (unracist doesn't sound right) after joining the Army than joining the Army making you a racist imho.

Even in 1978 when I joined we had blacks in our Regiment, Scottish Blacks, born and bred in Edinburgh. one of our mates was Kenny Roches, a funnier man you couldn't meet and well liked by us all.

In 1979 we were at Balmoral as part of the Royal Guard and based in Victoria Barracks in nearby Ballater. On the day that Mountbatten was killed by the IRA there were TV crews all around as The Queen was in residence at Balmoral. Kenny was on main sentry duty, resplendent in No1 Dress ceremonial and he was seen all over the news channel. A message came down from the hierarchy that he was not to be placed on sentry duty for the rest of the tour as they couldn't have a black face in Scottish uniform plastered everywhere - disgusting and us junior ranks were well miffed.

Nowadays racism at all levels is not tolerated, I'd be foolish to even think it has gone all together.

In answer to Vinny - no different from the reply above, if someone is inherrently racist they will carry that with them. The fact that a soldier is sent to war against another nation won't instantly change him to be racist. He will have a loathing for those he is there to fight against, however a respect for those not involved. Without doubt with the odd exception.



Geo

[Tal]

What makes a good Sergeant?

What makes a good officer?

[Geo the Sarge]

Will you make good teachers?

I would, in fact I believe I do. I now work in pensions and am the main trainer for our pensions department. It wasn't something I intended, just became knowledgeable and found myself as the "pension guru." They needed someone to take on the training of new starts and I had no hesitation in stepping forward. Been doing it for the last 2 years and the feedback I get is tremendous, especially in the manner I take training. I hate all the corporate shit, full of buzz words etc. I tell it and train it as it is.

I spent a lot of time on various courses training to be an instructor in the Army, you got the pamphlet, had to learn it parrott fashion and take the lessons with nothing more that a crit card. In civvy street I can have all my lesson plans and process notes to hand to refer to if required.

I had thought of going to teacher college a few years back as a good friend and former manager of mine did so and kept prompting me to follow suit as he thought I'd do well. I stuck to the security of a secure wage - bit of a coward then and regret it now.

As a recruiter I spent many weeks with kids from rough areas, taking them for week long get a feel of the Army sort of things during summer holidays/easter breaks. Teaching them all sorts from drill/first aid/map reading/ weapon handling. it was an absolute blast.

The control of the classroom and being able to teach would be little problem for someone from the forces who had spent years as an instructor. My worry would be fast tracking and whether they would possess sufficient knowledge in subjects in a shorter period.

Geo

[Geo the Sarge]

Have you ever gone into a fast-food restaurant in Dublin and pretended to be Dutch whilst trying to buy some sauce for about 50c?

(that one's for jjandellis)

No not at all, but I have tried to buy a slice of cheese from one. 

Was it cheese?!  Of course!  New it was an extra for a burger, but couldn't remember what it was

Do you still shout out in your sleep?

Only when I've been eating cheese!

I chortled

Geo

[snoopy1239]

Have you ever been asked to do, or support, something in the forces that you didn't believe was the right decision?

How would you feel about killing someone in battle if called upon?

[Graham C]

 

[Woodsey]

Most degen army story you dare tell us? 

[Geo the Sarge]

Do you think national service should compulsory?

Is there much banter between the other forces if u work together (navy, RAF)

Another good question Mr Bedi.

I'm against it myself, nowadays it would lead to so many problems. It is exceptionally hard to train an individual who doesn't want to be there in the first place. We must endeavour to convince young men that the Army IS a suitable career, current climate doesn't do that and it is so much harder to recruit young men these days.

There are many concientious objectors which of course is their right, however how many more would claim to be co in order to avoid conscription. We would also have many others finding other ways to avoid and the possibility of retribution from others for "conscript dodgers"

Whilst you are here and forgive me as I don't mean to offend as I haven't asked, are you Sikh?

There was a move some years back to raise a Sikh Regiment for the British Army. It had the backing of Community leaders however was abandoned after The Commission of Racial equality cited fears of it being racist and sectarian.

During the World Wars there were up to 27 Sikh Regiments fighting with the British Army and were some of the most decorated units.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1555507/Sikh-regiment-dumped-over-racism-fears.html

We always loved being attached to RAF or Navy Units as they always had the best of everything regardless where they were, The RAF especially always had top notch messes/canteens with the best of grub. I spent 4 months at an RAF radar post on the top of a hill in the Falklands and we had an absolute ball ad were treated like kings.

I did small stints on HMS Abdeil (a frigate I think) and also Joined HMS Edinburgh for sea trials just after she was commissioned. Sad to see her decommissioned a couple of weeks ago after something like 30 years service (jeez I'm feeling old now.)

We mentioned about drinking in uniform earlier, here's what happened when members of HMS Edinburgh tried to get a drink in a pub next to Edinburgh Castle after their farewell parade in Edinburgh 2 weeks ago

http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/latest-news/hms-edinburgh-crew-barred-for-uniform-in-pub-1-2938211

Geo

[George2Loose]

Yes geo I am A proud British Sikh

[Geo the Sarge]

Have you ever been asked to do, or support, something in the forces that you didn't believe was the right decision?

How would you feel about killing someone in battle if called upon?

I can't think of ever being in a situation where I didn't support what I was asked to do, then again I wasn't involved in Iraq or Afghanistan which I have never hidden the fact I think we are involved in for the wrong reasons.

If called upon again in battle I wouldn't hesitate after all it's likely to be him or me. Would be no different than having to defend myself say against an intruder at home if I had to defend myself.

Geo

[Marky147]

What made y'all sign up ?

I was studying Business Studies, English and Law A-Levels, but unfortunately Criminal Law wasn't an option and business law didn't appeal so much. That coupled with the fact my teacher was a drip didn't encourage my dedication and I left after the first year.

I wasn't sure what to do then, so was working in my father's office as his PA temporarily until I worked out what to do. He suggested the Navy to me, told me about his time served, (14years Fleet Air Arm) and that if you're in general branches you have to queue for promotions.  So I had a look at the different branches and applied to be a Comms Technician because it was entry to Chief Petty Officer in 6 years via exams, and you didn't have to wait in rosters for promotion.