I joined in '67 as DE and did time as a fitter with 38gp at RAF Benson, I was privileged to know and work with some great people including a few who joined "without the option", coming from establishments which might be defined today as "corrective".
Still sitting at SAC after more than 10 years service, these "boy entrants" had achieved almost miraculous turnarounds in their lives and were reliable, dependable and experienced well beyond the normal SAC role. They had seen service in some of the armpits of the Middle East which are possibly on a par for inhumanity with our more current expeditions
I believe that they truly recognised the opportunities that had been "afforded" them and were grateful that somewhere a "beak" had set them on the right path.
Ohh for a little foresight from our current crop of "juvenile" magistrates and the government.
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