is military for me
Samuel,
“Every young man should experience the military?”
What the hell for?
As for it setting you apart from your mates, the young “chaps” in this neck of the woods, judging from some very recent experiences aired on national television, would rather NOT be involved in some weird sadistic homoerotic humiliation ritual that involves them getting kicked unconscious!
Great deal of damage done to the forces recruitment efforts I fear.
“Every young man should experience the military?”
What the hell for?
As for it setting you apart from your mates, the young “chaps” in this neck of the woods, judging from some very recent experiences aired on national television, would rather NOT be involved in some weird sadistic homoerotic humiliation ritual that involves them getting kicked unconscious!
Great deal of damage done to the forces recruitment efforts I fear.
Proone
Behave man.
A few pictures in a tabloid of marines getting cosy isn't going to deter anyone who is keen on joining the military. If it does then they're probably not the right type anyway.
Before you start, don't any of you start thinking that I, in any way, condone that sort of behaviour or would want to get involved myself. Just pointing out a fact.
By the way, does anyone else find it really annoying that the same newspapers that claim to be a 'friend to the forces' are the exact same ones that jump at the chance of humiliating them when something untoward happens. Dirty rotten scoundrels. Anyone would think that selling newspapers came above morals! Tsk.
BV
A few pictures in a tabloid of marines getting cosy isn't going to deter anyone who is keen on joining the military. If it does then they're probably not the right type anyway.
Before you start, don't any of you start thinking that I, in any way, condone that sort of behaviour or would want to get involved myself. Just pointing out a fact.
By the way, does anyone else find it really annoying that the same newspapers that claim to be a 'friend to the forces' are the exact same ones that jump at the chance of humiliating them when something untoward happens. Dirty rotten scoundrels. Anyone would think that selling newspapers came above morals! Tsk.
BV
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prOOne,
Not sure that this sort of thing happens on a regular basis. Seems to me that the press got hold of something and have made the most of it, as perhaps are you.
Never knew you in the Air Force but there were a few prOOne types around on the squadron...need I say more?
Just for the record, I suffered comparitively worse initiation processes when I first went to boarding school and it has not left me with any psychological problem...college hazing was pretty similar....tacky perhaps but nothing much...as I said elsewhere 'mountains heave in birth, and a silly little mouse is born' Horace.
NC43
Not sure that this sort of thing happens on a regular basis. Seems to me that the press got hold of something and have made the most of it, as perhaps are you.
Never knew you in the Air Force but there were a few prOOne types around on the squadron...need I say more?
Just for the record, I suffered comparitively worse initiation processes when I first went to boarding school and it has not left me with any psychological problem...college hazing was pretty similar....tacky perhaps but nothing much...as I said elsewhere 'mountains heave in birth, and a silly little mouse is born' Horace.
NC43
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25 years ago I undertook (and passed) selection for 21 - we were never beasted, subjected to an initiation "ceremony" or made to do anything that did not have a military purpose. If we wanted to leave we were welcome to go at any time. If we wanted to carry on, then it was because we chose to, not because any loud-mouthed individual shouted at us. As far as I am aware there has never been any beasting at Hereford, or in 23.
The only beasting I did see was once at Sennybridge. Some regular infantry recruits were also there doing their live range work. Their NCOs started to beast them at 0200 when back from a lock-in. A WO2 from Hereford got out of bed and with one quiet word, they were all back in their pits in no time.
You can't shout at someone when you are spending days in an OP just metres from enemy positions.
The only beasting I did see was once at Sennybridge. Some regular infantry recruits were also there doing their live range work. Their NCOs started to beast them at 0200 when back from a lock-in. A WO2 from Hereford got out of bed and with one quiet word, they were all back in their pits in no time.
You can't shout at someone when you are spending days in an OP just metres from enemy positions.
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I suspect prOOne is speaking more as a lawyer than as a serviceman, or perhaps the one has subjugated the other and he has forgotten that selflessness, pride, and mutual respect are not typically learned at the Bar, but are in the services. 
A few pictures in a tabloid of marines getting cosy isn't going to deter anyone who is keen on joining the military. If it does then they're probably not the right type anyway.
Seems to me that the press got hold of something and have made the most of it
Yes Booties dress up and fight - that's what they do. As for them being 'recruits' ....... surely they would be on the Recruit Trg unit rather than 42. or are they just so good they go straight to 42 skipping trg. And secondly, if they had just come out of recruit trg, I suspect they wouldn't be carrying as much lard as the 2 in the video - I wouldn't be at all suprised to find that these 'recruits' were just a couple of juniors that have been in for a while rather than fresh out of the factory and were at a typical Booty party that got out of hand.
Yet more ill informed speculation from our glorious media?
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justanother, you should join the military for the lifestyle, not just for the oppertunity to fly. If you fly for 2-3 hours a day, what do you want to be doing the rest of the time?
I think that is the nail being hit on the head there.
I wouldn't be at all suprised to find that these 'recruits' were just a couple of juniors that have been in for a while rather than fresh out of the factory and were at a typical Booty party that got out of hand.
Samuel,
I speak as I find. Your “selflessness, pride and mutual respect” sounds as if it comes straight from the recruiters propaganda.
In my time, and I am absolutely sure it is the same now from what we hear and read, I saw just as much back stabbing, exploitation, career building at the expense of others, deceit and treachery in the RAF as I have ever seen outside. There is no reason to be alarmed by this, human beings are human beings after all, they don’t possess saintly magical powers after graduating from IOT or recruit training.
I speak as I find. Your “selflessness, pride and mutual respect” sounds as if it comes straight from the recruiters propaganda.
In my time, and I am absolutely sure it is the same now from what we hear and read, I saw just as much back stabbing, exploitation, career building at the expense of others, deceit and treachery in the RAF as I have ever seen outside. There is no reason to be alarmed by this, human beings are human beings after all, they don’t possess saintly magical powers after graduating from IOT or recruit training.
pr00ne - you're quite right about the silly comment: “Every young man should experience the military?”
But young people should have a reasonable level of self-discipline, respect for authority and respect for their seniors. Not the cringeing sycophancy loved by senior officers, just polite good manners and courtesy.
As for someone intimating that the appallingly sadistic homoerotic Royal Marines humiliation ritual shown on TV were "..at a typical Booty party that got out of hand"; well, if that's really the case then a thorough investigation is called for. The behaviour shown was totally indefensible.
If that's a 'typical Booty party', then heads should roll.
But young people should have a reasonable level of self-discipline, respect for authority and respect for their seniors. Not the cringeing sycophancy loved by senior officers, just polite good manners and courtesy.
As for someone intimating that the appallingly sadistic homoerotic Royal Marines humiliation ritual shown on TV were "..at a typical Booty party that got out of hand"; well, if that's really the case then a thorough investigation is called for. The behaviour shown was totally indefensible.
If that's a 'typical Booty party', then heads should roll.
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Why is it a silly comment?
Everyone posting here, well most of them, including you and prOOne, must have gained something positive from the experience, and you most likely wouldn't be doing what you are without that background. Nor would prOOne I suspect!
It is arguable that the generation after National Service were precisely the people who had "a reasonable level of self-discipline, and respect for authority".
The backstabbing and sycophancy came with a later generation of officers, and we can all recall times which were more honest! Despite that, something must have been gained from the experience, and you are are all what you are and where you are as a result of that experience! I never dwelt on negatives anyway!
My transition from a blue suit to management showed me that I was far better than most at sorting out fundamental issues, and that the rats in the air force were mere pussy cats to those in civvies!
Everyone posting here, well most of them, including you and prOOne, must have gained something positive from the experience, and you most likely wouldn't be doing what you are without that background. Nor would prOOne I suspect!
It is arguable that the generation after National Service were precisely the people who had "a reasonable level of self-discipline, and respect for authority".
The backstabbing and sycophancy came with a later generation of officers, and we can all recall times which were more honest! Despite that, something must have been gained from the experience, and you are are all what you are and where you are as a result of that experience! I never dwelt on negatives anyway!
My transition from a blue suit to management showed me that I was far better than most at sorting out fundamental issues, and that the rats in the air force were mere pussy cats to those in civvies!
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Consider This
Don't Join for any other reason than; it is your sole ambition.
Just make sure it is what you want to do. The little bits of info like food & accomadation are not important. What is important is your trade.
Decide what trade you want before you step foot in a AFCO. Because they will try and change your mind to what they need to recuit. Do not accept anything else than what you want.
Just make sure it is what you want to do. The little bits of info like food & accomadation are not important. What is important is your trade.
Decide what trade you want before you step foot in a AFCO. Because they will try and change your mind to what they need to recuit. Do not accept anything else than what you want.
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Justanother,
In exactly 19 minutes, I leave after 19 years and 50 weeks service (I'll be gone by the time I post as I type so slowly).
I wouldn't deign to comment on your motivation, each to his own; if it works, it works.
I have two kids, just hitting their teens. If I was advising them 19 years ago about the wisdom of joining an RAF like we have now, I'd have to say, regrettably, don't. However, the RAF we have now has to be seen in a contemporary context, and my advice to them would be unequivocably yes, fill yer boots - especially if you want to be a pilot.
I have been fortunate, I have not gone more than 3 weeks without getting airborne with my signature in the 700 - I have been scared, thrilled, nearly dead, sad, seen blokes crash, flown pissed, told people off for flying pissed, nearly chopped, not slept, missed met brief, spent too long in happy hour, failed Biggin Hill 4 times, seen the sun every time I flew, muddled through. Not a single regret (we're thinking big picture!!)
If I was advising me, It would be very difficult to say anything other than just try -
it is always better to regret doing something than to regret not doing it.
2 minutes....good luck chaps, be safe.
In exactly 19 minutes, I leave after 19 years and 50 weeks service (I'll be gone by the time I post as I type so slowly).
I wouldn't deign to comment on your motivation, each to his own; if it works, it works.
I have two kids, just hitting their teens. If I was advising them 19 years ago about the wisdom of joining an RAF like we have now, I'd have to say, regrettably, don't. However, the RAF we have now has to be seen in a contemporary context, and my advice to them would be unequivocably yes, fill yer boots - especially if you want to be a pilot.
I have been fortunate, I have not gone more than 3 weeks without getting airborne with my signature in the 700 - I have been scared, thrilled, nearly dead, sad, seen blokes crash, flown pissed, told people off for flying pissed, nearly chopped, not slept, missed met brief, spent too long in happy hour, failed Biggin Hill 4 times, seen the sun every time I flew, muddled through. Not a single regret (we're thinking big picture!!)
If I was advising me, It would be very difficult to say anything other than just try -
it is always better to regret doing something than to regret not doing it.
2 minutes....good luck chaps, be safe.
Justanother,
I don't know enough about you from your few short posts to comment on your suitability for service life but I feel that your post is typical of the growing number on this forum from wannabes.
There have been literally hundreds of threads on every aspect of service life including pay, conditions, social life and toilet facilities! It is indicative of "modern yoof" that it is just too difficult to spend time going back through past topics and using the search function - nah, that's for losers. I'll just type my question and let someone else do all the work. If, as I think it is, this is the attitude of potential applicants then it really isn't worth the bus fair to OASC and frankly any airline worth its salt will see through it too.
I don't really know why I'm bothering to type this as none of the wannabes will ever read this thread, as they never do - they'll just start another "I'm thinking of applying and can't be bovvered etc" thread!!
I don't know enough about you from your few short posts to comment on your suitability for service life but I feel that your post is typical of the growing number on this forum from wannabes.
There have been literally hundreds of threads on every aspect of service life including pay, conditions, social life and toilet facilities! It is indicative of "modern yoof" that it is just too difficult to spend time going back through past topics and using the search function - nah, that's for losers. I'll just type my question and let someone else do all the work. If, as I think it is, this is the attitude of potential applicants then it really isn't worth the bus fair to OASC and frankly any airline worth its salt will see through it too.
I don't really know why I'm bothering to type this as none of the wannabes will ever read this thread, as they never do - they'll just start another "I'm thinking of applying and can't be bovvered etc" thread!!
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I don't really know why I'm bothering to type this as none of the wannabes will ever read this thread, as they never do - they'll just start another "I'm thinking of applying and can't be bovvered etc" thread!!
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I rarely post in the Mil forum outside of other's wannabe threads... s'only place I can relate to whats being said!
Like Neeps said, we're not all bad... all of the time...
And no, I don't think the military is for you. The fact you have to ask should raise questions of how much you want it.
Like Neeps said, we're not all bad... all of the time...
And no, I don't think the military is for you. The fact you have to ask should raise questions of how much you want it.
