"General Two Dinners" - CGS

[Lima Juliet]

The RAF fitness test is compulsary over 50 and if you continue to serve over 55 years of age - so why the Delta between the Army and RAF regulations?

LJ

[Clockwork Mouse]

Practical common sense?

[the_boy_syrup]

The RAF fitness test is compulsary over 50 and if you continue to serve over 55 years of age - so why the Delta between the Army and RAF regulations?


The RAF has more other ranks serving to 60 than the Army?
I assume only officers in the Army can serve past 40?

[KKoran]

Maybe the General has a valid medical reason. The article did not go into depth.

I bet the medical reason for his condition is that he eats too much and exercises too little.

[Seldomfitforpurpose]

Originally Posted by KKoran

I bet the medical reason for his condition is that he eats too much and exercises too little.

You are probably right but thankfully because he is quite a clever chap failing to take his annual fitness test from the age of 45/46 appears to have done him no harm at all, apart from the clinical obesity of course

[Runaway Gun]

I'm suggesting that a medical condition might not allow him to run to the levels required, and he may have a exemption. For example, a knee problem. As typical on here, the guy is being pre-judged when we don't know all of the facts.

[thunderbird7]

Its just his glands...

[Whenurhappy]

Fitness and Leadership

Most of the posters here are talking through their, well, let's no go there!

I have seen Sir Glen 'in action' on the 5th floor defending air power (for that it what it is about) and I was mightily impressed. I have seen Sir Jock weighed down by all of Defence's problems (most notably when that errant ANP killed 5 UK personnel) and looking like death. But both of them took time to rejuvenate in the fitness centre/cellar or out in the park, ready to fight another day. Walking through the General Staff before 1000 is akin to walking through a locker room - most guys in phys gear and towels hanging over the 1.6m linear space partitions. The Air Staff just arrive late, claiming to have been, err, in the gym!

However, we cannot compare Sir Peter with some overweight crab who spent the better part of 20 years shuttling between porky postings in Germany and dull as f#ck jobs in Swaffam Mortuary or Abbey Wood or wherever lazy fatties are sent these days. Sir Richard Dannett was no racing snake, either...but there are few (at least in the Army) who did not think the world of him.

[Al R]

The ice cap melts, Sangin gets handed over to the Americans and Continental Drift creeps ever onwards. But its good to see some things don't change on Prune.

Polarised (Racing snakes but crap coal face workers Vs the Slobs but gusty, hardy grafters) knock for knock blows aside, and whatever the General is allowed to do and whatever he is like at his job, what about what he should do as an example to the troops?

A positive attitude towards personal fitness reflects an attitude towards the job and there is little point in the Nation being reminded of the 'Covenant' and being asked to go the extra mile for the troops, if he can't even be arsed to go the extra mile on the running machine.

[cornish-stormrider]

Oh god, (sorry Lord) here it comes again - the fitness std is a minimum. I failed it once - the shame of it. Had to execute an emergency less pizza and beer regieme combined with upping the evils of running and cycling.

A bit later - one retest satis and end of sarky comments from crewroom.

I swore never again, and kept it up till I PVR'd.

You need a certain amount of fitness - while I vehemently disagree about it it is the one you do - man up and do the bloody thing.

it's not that hard and if you are so arrogant that no-one else can do your job you are about to eat some humble pie.


A bit of phys never hurt anyone - too much running hurts me, so I cycle and swim instead.

fly safe, fix safe and don't let the bull**** admin grind you down.

CS

[Daf Hucker]

A bit of phys never hurt anyone

Actually it quite frequently does - lots of people get hurt in the gym and on the very odd occasion die. Can't remember the last time I heard of a guy dropping dead at his desk though

[airborne_artist]

I take it none of the knockers has served/worked with 9 Sqn RE, his first posting, and his first command? They are some of the fiercest, most capable guys you will ever meet, who would give any infantry soldier a nasty shock, and then get on with their combat engineering task. No surprise that many find their way to Hereford.

[Q-RTF-X]

It is with some distress I note the ramblings of a bunch of brain dead loonies with little better to do than rant about the appointment of a slightly portly gentleman who, in his later years is about to step into a highly critical and demanding position. That the individual has had a distinguished career to date, acquitted himself well so far, has by all accounts an above average brain and is highly regarded by those who have served with him seems to be of no account. There are far too many people venting their spleens who need to get a life. We need leaders with a proven track record, let’s cut the BS and get on with some good management

[andyy]

There is no doubt that good leadership should extend to setting an example on the Phys front but I have worked for Gen Wall & he is outstanding. On the other hand I have worked for plenty of people who could probably run 4 min miles who were to55ers.

Being able to run is not the defining capability.

[gijoe]

The usual Pprune shi*e spouts forth...Like Andyy, I have worked with General in question - he is a top bloke, came through the rather hard route to where he is and is a mountain-bear of a man. There is no hiding with him.

As said above, 9(Para)Sqn RE was never an easy walk to P Coy - people were broken before even getting to Depot Para - he passed. I winced at the state of some of the Sappers on my visit to Depot Para for the extra sessions of PT with boots on.

So...give it a rest about 'Wrong example, one rule for one etc' He is a General, there to do General stuff, to lead (and he can, very well).

Maybe the RAF could do with some like him?

[BEagle]

Maybe the RAF could do with some like him?

Undoubtedly - but they'd never rise to General as they probably wouldn't fit in a Harrier cockpit....

[The Helpful Stacker]

Undoubtedly - but they'd never rise to General as they probably wouldn't fit in a Harrier cockpit..

Which is almost a comment I could see our green breathen making were this an appointment of a slightly rotund RAF senior officer.

"How the hell does/did he fit into an ejector seat" etc, etc.

Of course should those nasty crabs make observations about one of their own it all turns into "well he's being employed for whats in his head" etc.

"Standards, standards, get your double standards here, get them while they're 'ot, lovely..."



And yes, having worked with 9 Sqn RE I know just what a double hard b****** lot they are and some cracking lads to boot, but does serving on a very physical task early in your life mean you get away with twisted sock chit for latter in life and an "its alright, he knows a lot"?

[airborne_artist]

but does serving on a very physical task early in your life mean you get away with twisted sock chit for latter in life and an "its alright, he knows a lot"?

If that was all he's done, perhaps, but his CV has rather more to it, not surprisingly after such a promising start.

[PARALLEL TRACK]

Grow up the lot of you! Let him do his job irrespective of the size of his uniform. Just like CAS is doing, oh no maybe not!

[reallydeskbound]

Having served on operations with the General those who are casting aspertions on his fitness to carryout the task required of him have no measure of the man.

Peter Wall is one of the most impressive officers I met during my RAF Service. A true warrior he has held some of the most demanding operational command appointments in recent years. He is an asset to the Army as CGS, not only as great leader, but tireless in his support of his troops (whatever uniform they are wearing). We also have officers of this stature and if they have similar qualities they will rise to a similar level..

Peter may be overweight from his RE Para days but I would hesitate to mention it to him - I am a devout coward and hate the sight of my own blood