quote:
'On another trip to Germany (Gutersloh, I believe), The ATC camp commandant was asked to leave the mess by the PMC because he was swigging his beer from a bottle. '
Maybe a bit of an extreme example but it is probably true to say that a high proportion of VR(T) Officers (and now NCO's) are abit out of touch with the regular armed forces(understandably so). I can think of 2 reasons for this, first is the amount of training and guidance given to the volunteers when they first join regarding service knowledge, customs and ethos. Secondly it is incumbent on our VR(T) colleagues to keep themselves up to date, knowledgable and proud of the organisations we all represent so that they can pass this on to the Cadets and instill the same ethos.
We should bear it in mind that the Cadet organisiations are also useful recruiting grounds for the future of the Armed Forces and not just glorified youth clubs as some of those posting seem to be suggesting.