Ross Kemp in Afghanistan
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Leicester
Age: 54
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Civvy Support
I am a civilian whos father flew Argosys in 114 sqdn way back in the 60s . The life of any service person cannot ever be truly appreciated by anybody who has never served their country or been in a war zone . Most people who i know regard all soldiers , sailors, airmen and women in the highest echelons of praise , for the job they do is really the hardest job in the world . You all deserve so much more from this government in support the way you have been betrayed by them beggars belief, TV programmes are designed to make us think , im sure there wil be a lot of people thinking after watching ross kemp tonight . I know i will , i will be thinking as i do now , of those many people who are fighting on my behalf for my freedoms and making the ultimate sacrifice just as many other brave men and women did before them . God bless you all and get home safe and sound whenever or wherever you are , the labour administration may not appreciate you , i on the otherhand always will.
Ian Jempson
Ian Jempson
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Europe
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am a Serving Soldier and would like to point out my personal feelings to people like Nik Nak:
I don't wish for you to be grateful for what I do
I don't wish to have your praise
I don't wish for you to be beholden to me for anything
I don't wish for you to worry about me
I don't wish for you to even spare me a thought
I do wish for you to realise that this is my career, my choice to be in the military but not my choice to serve wherever I am asked to serve. Neither is it my fault or the fault of my peers and contemparies to be wherever we might be. I simply fulfil the wishes of the Government and hope to God that my family are cared for properly in my absence as after all I am simply doing as I am asked.
I am hugely proud to be a soldier and to do the job that I do, I am also hugely proud of the commitment made daily by our Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen and no matter what your feelings toward us, we will always have each other.
I don't wish for you to be grateful for what I do
I don't wish to have your praise
I don't wish for you to be beholden to me for anything
I don't wish for you to worry about me
I don't wish for you to even spare me a thought
I do wish for you to realise that this is my career, my choice to be in the military but not my choice to serve wherever I am asked to serve. Neither is it my fault or the fault of my peers and contemparies to be wherever we might be. I simply fulfil the wishes of the Government and hope to God that my family are cared for properly in my absence as after all I am simply doing as I am asked.
I am hugely proud to be a soldier and to do the job that I do, I am also hugely proud of the commitment made daily by our Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen and no matter what your feelings toward us, we will always have each other.
Not that I wish to apologise for my fellow civilian, but I think that most people do approach this more or less the way mutleyfour hopes they will, and appreciate that niknak's thesis is at least a little unrealistic.
For the record, I don't blame members of the armed forces for the piss-poor decisions of government, and I don't think most people do. That said, it's crystal clear what the deal is when you join up, which is one reason I didn't.
Even in the much-more-nationalistic US, there are "Support the troops, not the war" banners.
P
For the record, I don't blame members of the armed forces for the piss-poor decisions of government, and I don't think most people do. That said, it's crystal clear what the deal is when you join up, which is one reason I didn't.
Even in the much-more-nationalistic US, there are "Support the troops, not the war" banners.
P
Mainly I didn't join up because I didn't fancy being beasted around a parade ground by a short man with a moustache and a swagger stick, to be honest, but - no, in that context, I didn't join up because I didn't want to be forced to fight a war I couldn't get behind morally.
P
P
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: all over?
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What comes across in many different posts on this forum, is that there are some posters who genuinely believe that thay are entitled to some sort of cult status because they are or have been, in the services.
Sorry to disappoint you, but you're no better than anyone before you and you're certainly in position to judge the public opinion.
Sorry to disappoint you, but you're no better than anyone before you and you're certainly in position to judge the public opinion.
a truly awful post, highlighting a number of your own insecurities and inadequacies. I would like to first state that these people are special, mainly because they are fighting in your name, for the government you (as a nation) voted for, and therefore supported its mandate. These people are fighting whether thay agree or disagree (and many will disagree), for what is perceived as a cause of greater good, and risking their lives daily, for the country the likes of you hold so dear. Many very good men and women have lost their lives doing this, leaving families - wives, children, mothers, fathers and friends behind wondering what it was for, and was it worth it, dying in the name of their country, in a foreign land. Some will stay for life as a career, some will change careers, and you are right it is a choice, but that does not mean that they are not entitled to the gratitude of their countryfolk. You very clearly do not undersdtand one of the binding principles of military life - that is that it is not just a job, it is a way of life, a form of service, and those who do it, do not do so for financial gain.
No person here expects cult status, but what they have every right to expect is the support from the public. The armed forces do not make policy decisions, they carry out the orders handed to them by a democratically elected government in your name. You may not agree with the government policy, but that does not mean you cannot support our men and women in the armed forces. The way the military in general has been treated by the government and the general public in the last five years has been nothing short of shameful, yet they continue to do the job, risking their lives daily, watching friends and colleagues being maimed and killed in horrendous situations. Dedication of that level is most definitley not found in every walk of life, so that, in my book, makes them very special, and entitled to far more gratitude and praise than like you may ever realise.
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: England
Posts: 964
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Phil
Do not try and cover for, or apologise for, NikNak (it is not required) , he has been like this on this forum for a long time. He understands our arguments and our opinions, and he continues to take the pi**. The term oxygen thief springs to mind!
Do not try and cover for, or apologise for, NikNak (it is not required) , he has been like this on this forum for a long time. He understands our arguments and our opinions, and he continues to take the pi**. The term oxygen thief springs to mind!
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 1,771
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am and always have been a civvie, though working with various arms of the UK military.
My father volunteered for WW2 and continued working with military aircraft development -Seafire to the Harrier 2 - until he retired ( still with us, fitter than me,touchwood ).
His casual little stories he lets slip very infrequently are enough to make a berk like me, brought up in a dearly bought peace time, realise there is a whole different world out there besides " wasn't the motorway a sod tonight"...
Posts like NIkNak's make me cringe - please believe me guys & girls, the British public thinks a hell of a lot of what you are doing.
I for one would be happy to join in home-coming welcomings, as in the US, but I never get to hear about them in advance - maybe it's me but I doubt it.
Meanwhile ignore that prat, WE UK are very proud of you - stay safe !
My father volunteered for WW2 and continued working with military aircraft development -Seafire to the Harrier 2 - until he retired ( still with us, fitter than me,touchwood ).
His casual little stories he lets slip very infrequently are enough to make a berk like me, brought up in a dearly bought peace time, realise there is a whole different world out there besides " wasn't the motorway a sod tonight"...
Posts like NIkNak's make me cringe - please believe me guys & girls, the British public thinks a hell of a lot of what you are doing.
I for one would be happy to join in home-coming welcomings, as in the US, but I never get to hear about them in advance - maybe it's me but I doubt it.
Meanwhile ignore that prat, WE UK are very proud of you - stay safe !
Mutleyfour,
It's statements like yours that bring a lump to my throat.
The selfless commitment our troops, from all 3 services, show and expect nothing in return. The nation needs to realise that is what we do.
30mRad
It's statements like yours that bring a lump to my throat.
The selfless commitment our troops, from all 3 services, show and expect nothing in return. The nation needs to realise that is what we do.
30mRad
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: England
Posts: 964
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mutleyfour
I feel sorry for Nik Nak, because your last bit sums it up. We have experienced something that he never will, and it will never leave us, it is called camaraderie. you don't get much better mates than those you are willing to go to war with.
Good post, stay safe
I am hugely proud to be a soldier and to do the job that I do, I am also hugely proud of the commitment made daily by our Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen and no matter what your feelings toward us, we will always have each other.
Good post, stay safe
Yes, Him
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: West Sussex, UK
Posts: 2,689
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
First episode is in packets on Youtube.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=c5uVUmXaFCM
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=c5uVUmXaFCM
An excellent programme. Well done, Ross Kemp!
But, more importantly, this will bring home to the Great Unwashed quite what the chaps and chapesses out in the sandpit are going through...
And the sacrifices they all make.
Compare that 17-year young soldier to the slouching wasters you see infesting our inner cities....
And Stavros, great to see you in the LHS of the Timmy! Didn't I tell you after that puddlejumper trip that you'd got what it takes? Good to see I was proved correct, mate!
Nik Nak, I've been trying to see something positive or constructive in your post. Unfortunately I have been unsuccessful....
But, more importantly, this will bring home to the Great Unwashed quite what the chaps and chapesses out in the sandpit are going through...
And the sacrifices they all make.
Compare that 17-year young soldier to the slouching wasters you see infesting our inner cities....
And Stavros, great to see you in the LHS of the Timmy! Didn't I tell you after that puddlejumper trip that you'd got what it takes? Good to see I was proved correct, mate!
Nik Nak, I've been trying to see something positive or constructive in your post. Unfortunately I have been unsuccessful....
Join Date: May 2007
Location: uk
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well i have served, seen plenty of action and although i don't necessarily agree with niknak he has a point.
A huge swathe of the public particularly the younger genration have no concept of the military nor any interest in what you do. Nor do they or will they care.
Having been heavily involved with the Falklands i have attended the various functions last year. Wont be doing it again. Full of teary middle aged men reminising about how they deal with the aftermath of war while forgetting the fact that they did bugger all but sit around and whinge.The more the remf the more the tears.Alien world to me now as you are to the rest of the nation.
You are fighting an obscure war for a crooked govt. Apart from the usual suspects no one really gives a ****.
Your stories have nothing that the youth recognise or can relate to outside of movies. Maybe this programme will help. Dont hold you're breath.See sentence two.
A huge swathe of the public particularly the younger genration have no concept of the military nor any interest in what you do. Nor do they or will they care.
Having been heavily involved with the Falklands i have attended the various functions last year. Wont be doing it again. Full of teary middle aged men reminising about how they deal with the aftermath of war while forgetting the fact that they did bugger all but sit around and whinge.The more the remf the more the tears.Alien world to me now as you are to the rest of the nation.
You are fighting an obscure war for a crooked govt. Apart from the usual suspects no one really gives a ****.
Your stories have nothing that the youth recognise or can relate to outside of movies. Maybe this programme will help. Dont hold you're breath.See sentence two.
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Europe
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lou
I for one am alarmed at the ease in which young men and women today can stab or beat an individual to death regardless of circumstance. The concept of how we used to live has long deteriorated and lack of respect across the board is paramount.
I have great sympathy for the emergency services as a whole, ambulances cannot turn up in some areas without police escort and stab vests. Police can no longer walk the beat in a great deal of inner city sanctuaries and criminals seem to have more rights than the victims they have caused duch misery to.
The country seems to survive on a cocktail of drugs that even the 40's and 50's plus are involved with.
Nobody wants you to show any interest Lou, you may as well join the ranks of the don't cares! Turn a blind eye the next time you see an old lady being verbally abused, dont give up your seat for a more senior less abled person on the bus. Look at the pavement when walking the street for fear of upsetting anyone passing by.
So where am I going with this, well, its simple, the people you have no harmony with are doing something they feel is important and as I have said before are simply fulfilling the needs of you and I as instructed by the Government.
As for the Falklands veterans, I also said before that we have each other and we all of us have differing needs. I would suggest that maybe it was you that sat on your backside and whinged the war through and not those in tears.
I for one am alarmed at the ease in which young men and women today can stab or beat an individual to death regardless of circumstance. The concept of how we used to live has long deteriorated and lack of respect across the board is paramount.
I have great sympathy for the emergency services as a whole, ambulances cannot turn up in some areas without police escort and stab vests. Police can no longer walk the beat in a great deal of inner city sanctuaries and criminals seem to have more rights than the victims they have caused duch misery to.
The country seems to survive on a cocktail of drugs that even the 40's and 50's plus are involved with.
Nobody wants you to show any interest Lou, you may as well join the ranks of the don't cares! Turn a blind eye the next time you see an old lady being verbally abused, dont give up your seat for a more senior less abled person on the bus. Look at the pavement when walking the street for fear of upsetting anyone passing by.
So where am I going with this, well, its simple, the people you have no harmony with are doing something they feel is important and as I have said before are simply fulfilling the needs of you and I as instructed by the Government.
As for the Falklands veterans, I also said before that we have each other and we all of us have differing needs. I would suggest that maybe it was you that sat on your backside and whinged the war through and not those in tears.
Last edited by mutleyfour; 23rd Jan 2008 at 07:18.
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lou
I have have served, but thankfully never saw action.
Put me down as one of the "usual suspects"; because I will always "give a ****" when British Servicemen/women see action. Whether it be you... him... or her over there.....
Put me down as one of the "usual suspects"; because I will always "give a ****" when British Servicemen/women see action. Whether it be you... him... or her over there.....