RAF Regiment - or Army?
Nixor ut Ledo
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: In a Beaut of a State
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well.... he wasn't exactly famous but there was a certain SAC rock at Odiham at about the time that the Magna Carta was signed who was caught 'in flagrante delicto' (latin for act of committing a crime - I know that pilots read this) with a steward from the same station.
He was of course nicked and after the rest of the night spent in the guardroom (wonder if they put the steward in with him?) was hauled in front of his junior subordinate commander - a macho rock through and through.
Having remanded him to the Senior Subordinate Commander on his way to the staish and subsequent Court Martial he had him marched out and, as is the custom, brought him straight back in for the bollocking (couldn't miss the chance).
Apparently the flt cdr was virtually stumped for words and stuttered, "Jones, how, how, how on earth could you do that? You're in the Regiment!"
Jones, ramrod straight with his thumbs on the seams of his OGs replied,
"Sah, If you haven't tried it - don't knock it"
Now, with an attitude like that, that bloke is a hero and has to be famous!!
As told to me by one of my cpls who was the guy's escort at the time.
He was of course nicked and after the rest of the night spent in the guardroom (wonder if they put the steward in with him?) was hauled in front of his junior subordinate commander - a macho rock through and through.
Having remanded him to the Senior Subordinate Commander on his way to the staish and subsequent Court Martial he had him marched out and, as is the custom, brought him straight back in for the bollocking (couldn't miss the chance).
Apparently the flt cdr was virtually stumped for words and stuttered, "Jones, how, how, how on earth could you do that? You're in the Regiment!"
Jones, ramrod straight with his thumbs on the seams of his OGs replied,
"Sah, If you haven't tried it - don't knock it"
Now, with an attitude like that, that bloke is a hero and has to be famous!!
As told to me by one of my cpls who was the guy's escort at the time.
Last edited by allan907; 22nd Apr 2004 at 18:01.
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Germaneee
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So, to summerise. The Rocks are a bunch of small butcher shop owning crooners with a penchant for 'blue on blue' and have the skills that a doris in the Aux wouldnt be proud of.
Thought so.
Thought so.
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Germaneee
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Doubt it. Used to have great sport at Catters in the old days. Get warmed up filling rocks in then move on to a proper fight.
So you're saying two blokes pillow biting is a manly occupation then?
So you're saying two blokes pillow biting is a manly occupation then?
Bill O'A,
The evidence is pointing to:
You were frightened by a Rock a long time ago;
You have an irrational fear of your own latent homosexuality;
You are making up stories to banish the memories of waking up with a crowd round you at Catterick some moons ago.
Or I might be wrong?
The evidence is pointing to:
You were frightened by a Rock a long time ago;
You have an irrational fear of your own latent homosexuality;
You are making up stories to banish the memories of waking up with a crowd round you at Catterick some moons ago.
Or I might be wrong?
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Nowhere Interesting
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RAF Regiment - or Army?
A bit late on this one, but here goes:
EJ Thribb
Brian Clough and Peter Alliss spring to mind. Rocks tend to be a modest sort, so not suprised you haven't heard of many.
Bill O'Average you appear to be a knob of the highest order, keep taking the pills.....
EJ Thribb
I can't bring to mind a single person who has achieved fame in the RAF Regt.
Bill O'Average you appear to be a knob of the highest order, keep taking the pills.....
Good idea to get rid of GBAD to the RA. In fact, what we should do is gather together the soldiers of whatever persuasion, and call it the "Army". All the aircraft and helicopters in the Forces, and call it the "Royal Air Force", and finally all boats and things nautical, and call it the "Royal Navy". Now that'd work!
You can be different and Joint at the same time.
Roger out!
You can be different and Joint at the same time.
Roger out!
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Australia
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pardon me as a latecomer to this thread.
Years ago, when God was in his heaven, the Fleet Air Arm owned RNAS Lossiemouth, and operated various types of aircraft from HMS FULMAR. For those of us intrepid aviators who ventured to the skies at night, the primary water based SAR was some form of 'boat' that answered to the callsign of "Crash Boat One". OK, fair enough, perhaps some pathetic fishead attempt at humour. But said ‘boat’, allegedly some ex WW2 air sea rescue vessel that was berthed alongside in Lossiemouth harbour, was crewed not by Jolly Jack, but by HM's finest crabs a la Rock, and skippered by FSGT Mc........, who could be relied on totally to convey Glen Morangie from Tain to LM.
Now that's jointery!
Years ago, when God was in his heaven, the Fleet Air Arm owned RNAS Lossiemouth, and operated various types of aircraft from HMS FULMAR. For those of us intrepid aviators who ventured to the skies at night, the primary water based SAR was some form of 'boat' that answered to the callsign of "Crash Boat One". OK, fair enough, perhaps some pathetic fishead attempt at humour. But said ‘boat’, allegedly some ex WW2 air sea rescue vessel that was berthed alongside in Lossiemouth harbour, was crewed not by Jolly Jack, but by HM's finest crabs a la Rock, and skippered by FSGT Mc........, who could be relied on totally to convey Glen Morangie from Tain to LM.
Now that's jointery!
Last edited by Argus; 10th Jul 2004 at 06:35.
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: YES
Posts: 779
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"However, while the budget for Britain's national security will be boosted by "significantly more" than the average, Geoff Hoon, the Defence Secretary, is preparing to make major cuts in the Armed Forces after receiving only a one per cent increase.
The Royal Air Force is facing the most far-reaching cuts in its 86-year history and Mr Hoon will tell the Commons next week that the service will lose up to 7,000 personnel - more than 14 per cent of its total strength of 48,635. The Royal Navy will lose up to 3,000 sailors and the Army is to shed at least four battalions.
The cuts are designed to "rebalance" the Armed Forces and to claw back a £1.9 billion budget deficit. They will, according to defence chiefs, have the effect of making both the RAF and the Royal Navy subservient to the Army, not just in strength but also in operational importance - a galling prospect for the Navy which has seen itself as the "senior service".
Under the shake-up, almost the entire RAF Regiment, which is responsible for security at bases, will be disbanded. The two remaining Jaguar squadrons will also go as will all of the RAF's 39 Puma transport helicopters and 79 GR7 Harrier jump jets. Up to five air bases will close. The cuts will also exact a heavy price from the Navy, which will lose at least six surface ships, two Type 23 frigates and four Type 42 destroyers and one, possibly two, nuclear submarines.
The Army is expected to lose at least four out of 40 infantry battalions and up to 50 Challenger II tanks and 50 Warrior armoured infantry vehicles. The Army Air Corps will also suffer the prospect of losing its entire fleet of 118 two-seat Gazelle reconnaissance helicopters.
"
Sunday Telegraph 11/07/2003
so the Rock apes have an impressive past but looks like no future.
The Royal Air Force is facing the most far-reaching cuts in its 86-year history and Mr Hoon will tell the Commons next week that the service will lose up to 7,000 personnel - more than 14 per cent of its total strength of 48,635. The Royal Navy will lose up to 3,000 sailors and the Army is to shed at least four battalions.
The cuts are designed to "rebalance" the Armed Forces and to claw back a £1.9 billion budget deficit. They will, according to defence chiefs, have the effect of making both the RAF and the Royal Navy subservient to the Army, not just in strength but also in operational importance - a galling prospect for the Navy which has seen itself as the "senior service".
Under the shake-up, almost the entire RAF Regiment, which is responsible for security at bases, will be disbanded. The two remaining Jaguar squadrons will also go as will all of the RAF's 39 Puma transport helicopters and 79 GR7 Harrier jump jets. Up to five air bases will close. The cuts will also exact a heavy price from the Navy, which will lose at least six surface ships, two Type 23 frigates and four Type 42 destroyers and one, possibly two, nuclear submarines.
The Army is expected to lose at least four out of 40 infantry battalions and up to 50 Challenger II tanks and 50 Warrior armoured infantry vehicles. The Army Air Corps will also suffer the prospect of losing its entire fleet of 118 two-seat Gazelle reconnaissance helicopters.
"
Sunday Telegraph 11/07/2003
so the Rock apes have an impressive past but looks like no future.
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Surrey, England
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wouldn't look too much into the torygraph.
It seems to me that they're printing these sort of scare stories every other day, and as far as I know, gunners are the only 'trade' actively recruiting at the AFCO's at present.
It seems to me that they're printing these sort of scare stories every other day, and as far as I know, gunners are the only 'trade' actively recruiting at the AFCO's at present.
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Glorious Devon
Posts: 721
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It would be ironic if RAF protection were handed back to the Army.
The Rocks were formed during WW2 because the Army would/could not do that job.
It goes against the grain to be nice to the Rocks; our battles on 208 against the local Rock squadron at Abu Sueir left scars! Nevertheless, they are a highly professional bunch because they are led by highly professional officers who are not there for the social éclat and do not leave all the management to the NCOs. The origins of their ethos go back to the influx of ex-Indian Army officers into the Regt after Indian independence in 1947. And anyone who knows anything about the British Army will recognise that the best officers professionally, and the cream of the pre-war Sandhurst output, went to India - where they did not need to ponce around the London season.
The best staff officers at the Officers Advanced Training School, Bircham newton, when I did the course in 1953, were ex-Indian Army rocks - including the Commandant.
The Rocks were formed during WW2 because the Army would/could not do that job.
It goes against the grain to be nice to the Rocks; our battles on 208 against the local Rock squadron at Abu Sueir left scars! Nevertheless, they are a highly professional bunch because they are led by highly professional officers who are not there for the social éclat and do not leave all the management to the NCOs. The origins of their ethos go back to the influx of ex-Indian Army officers into the Regt after Indian independence in 1947. And anyone who knows anything about the British Army will recognise that the best officers professionally, and the cream of the pre-war Sandhurst output, went to India - where they did not need to ponce around the London season.
The best staff officers at the Officers Advanced Training School, Bircham newton, when I did the course in 1953, were ex-Indian Army rocks - including the Commandant.
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The thing I find most ironic is that despite 30 years of service I can't think of anytime in my past where I actually found "rock's" defending an airfield
Techie's, Bluntie's and even Aircrew have always guarded the gate while the rock's just fecked guys around on an annual basis
So guess what goes around etc!!!
I for one will not mourn their passing however the alternative scares the living crap out of me
Those who thought Rock's were mindless individuals have a huge wake up call once the Pongoe's take over..............CCS with squadies...god help us
all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced
Techie's, Bluntie's and even Aircrew have always guarded the gate while the rock's just fecked guys around on an annual basis
So guess what goes around etc!!!I for one will not mourn their passing however the alternative scares the living crap out of me
Those who thought Rock's were mindless individuals have a huge wake up call once the Pongoe's take over..............CCS with squadies...god help us all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Nowhere Interesting
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aircrew doing gate guard......I don't think so. 
I didn't think the Rocks were supposed to 'defend' UK airbases, more the overseas expeditionary stuff. The Regt Sqns seem to be away a lot, so they must be doing something.
Hmmm, CCS with the Army - can't wait.
I didn't think the Rocks were supposed to 'defend' UK airbases, more the overseas expeditionary stuff. The Regt Sqns seem to be away a lot, so they must be doing something.
Hmmm, CCS with the Army - can't wait.
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So Aircrew don't guard the gate.........tecnically you are correct cos as Guard Commander you are not actually on stag...........
However come to Wilts and see how many ALM's and Eng's do that task in the course of 365 days and I bet it's a **** sight more than our lovely rock's.............or scuffers for that matter....do
Hence they will not be missed
all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced
However come to Wilts and see how many ALM's and Eng's do that task in the course of 365 days and I bet it's a **** sight more than our lovely rock's.............or scuffers for that matter....do
Hence they will not be missed
all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Nowhere Interesting
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't know how many Regt are in Wilts, but I'm betting there's loads of ALM's and Eng's
Interesting how you judge someones worth by how much gate guard/Guard Commander they do
Interesting how you judge someones worth by how much gate guard/Guard Commander they do
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry Quakker but guessed you missed the irony in my posts.........I was merely pointing out that everyone guards our lovely Wiltshire base.............apart from those whose advertised role is that of Airfield Defense...........
"The RAF Regiment is an elite fighting force that provides ground and short-range air defence to RAF operational assets anywhere in the world".............taken from the RAF Careers website.......but I think it should say "anywhere in the world apart from UK"
No judgment call made......just a life time of observation
all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced
"The RAF Regiment is an elite fighting force that provides ground and short-range air defence to RAF operational assets anywhere in the world".............taken from the RAF Careers website.......but I think it should say "anywhere in the world apart from UK"
No judgment call made......just a life time of observation
all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced
Suspicion breeds confidence
Times have changed. We are not facing hordes of Spetznaz trying to attack our airfields or ammunition dumps. Perhaps it is time to recognise the changed circumstances and integrate to Regt into the regular army as their is a strong overlap between the two.
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: A bit of a gypsy of late!
Age: 55
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Naval,
My oh my. If there is no job for the RAF Regt (II Para as they like to call themselves - we know there is only one 2 PARA lads. Remember cyprus?) Disband the chaps in blue and free up more slots for a group of people who want to be in the army - not just play it when they feel like it.
If the Regts primary aim is airfield or installation defence (I may be wrong, standby), shouldn't they have a trade behind them and guard bases as part of force protection like all the other SACs and LACs that do a fine job when there stag comes up and still manage to fix planes or whatever they do (sorry to generalise peeps, but pork sausages are not blessed with top typing skills!!)
Integrate my A***E. Disband the buggers!!
Regards to all
ISITD
lfogootfw
My oh my. If there is no job for the RAF Regt (II Para as they like to call themselves - we know there is only one 2 PARA lads. Remember cyprus?) Disband the chaps in blue and free up more slots for a group of people who want to be in the army - not just play it when they feel like it.
If the Regts primary aim is airfield or installation defence (I may be wrong, standby), shouldn't they have a trade behind them and guard bases as part of force protection like all the other SACs and LACs that do a fine job when there stag comes up and still manage to fix planes or whatever they do (sorry to generalise peeps, but pork sausages are not blessed with top typing skills!!)
Integrate my A***E. Disband the buggers!!
Regards to all
ISITD
lfogootfw