Royal air force 63 and 19 squadron leaders from 1980 until 1994
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I cannot comment on RAF Chivenor as I did not have the pleasure of serving there.
However, pointing out the importance of grammar and correct spelling does have some value, especially to the young. If nothing else, it demonstrates that such things do matter to some people, potential employers for example.
I say this, having had a number of years teaching technical subjects.
Eg: graduating students completing questionnaire about the 2 year technical program they have finished. One (of the better ones) shouts out to his fellow students " how do you spell 'red'? Me: (not supposed to be present, but trying to expedite said survey so they don't waste valuable class time) " What do you mean Trevor, what are you trying to say?" Student replies " I want to say 'they (College) should get 'red' of the English course".
Sums things up nicely for me.
BTW I always say I was in the 'are ay eff", as opposed to the 'rafff'. I assume that is the preferred pronunciation.
However, pointing out the importance of grammar and correct spelling does have some value, especially to the young. If nothing else, it demonstrates that such things do matter to some people, potential employers for example.
I say this, having had a number of years teaching technical subjects.
Eg: graduating students completing questionnaire about the 2 year technical program they have finished. One (of the better ones) shouts out to his fellow students " how do you spell 'red'? Me: (not supposed to be present, but trying to expedite said survey so they don't waste valuable class time) " What do you mean Trevor, what are you trying to say?" Student replies " I want to say 'they (College) should get 'red' of the English course".
Sums things up nicely for me.
BTW I always say I was in the 'are ay eff", as opposed to the 'rafff'. I assume that is the preferred pronunciation.
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If the OP is really 48 that was just about when they stopped teaching grammar and spelling because it destroyed the little darlings 'creativity', so now we have a generation of people who have no idea what grammar is let alone what the rules are and as for spelling it's just a free for all, I suppose we should thankful that he is not using 'text speak'
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I'm a little younger than the OP, yet we were still taught proper grammar and spelling whilst at school. Although that's not to say I'd claim my grammar was perfect, and I do make mistakes. (Before anyone finds one in this post.)
I do however wonder how English is taught in the modern education system, as I frequently feel compelled to correct my Daughters. It could be argued correct English is almost their second language, yet they all achieved good GCSE grades in both language and literature.
I do however wonder how English is taught in the modern education system, as I frequently feel compelled to correct my Daughters. It could be argued correct English is almost their second language, yet they all achieved good GCSE grades in both language and literature.
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I think that English is taught perfectly well in the modern education system. However there are so many external influences at work on today's youngsters that the learning of good English is seriously influenced by what they see on TV and of course parents of the txt spk generation.
My children are in their thirties. Both speak and write with accuracy; so do my grandchildren, albeit within the ability of their age group.
My children are in their thirties. Both speak and write with accuracy; so do my grandchildren, albeit within the ability of their age group.
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Whilst I can't comment on the standards regarding education, I whole heartedly agree concerning other influences. The volume of American television programmes broadcast on a certain satellite Company's system, often leads to a 'discussion' about mispronunciation of English words... 
Apologies for the thread drift.
Apologies for the thread drift.
Last edited by si.; 21st Mar 2015 at 22:04. Reason: Apologies.
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Personally, I can't remember doing any staff work, or for that matter worrying about the next comma, when I chased down Jags at 250' and 600kts.
For that matter, I didn't give a crap about it once I'd landed either. Those that got really upset about it, in my opinion, weren't the best boys in the real game.
English is blessed by its flexible rules and willingness to change. Just look at French if you wish to be pedantic.
chiv hawk got is point across. I don't care for those that snipe from their high horse, I'm sure I could make them look like utter fools in a discipline other than English.
O-P
For that matter, I didn't give a crap about it once I'd landed either. Those that got really upset about it, in my opinion, weren't the best boys in the real game.
English is blessed by its flexible rules and willingness to change. Just look at French if you wish to be pedantic.
chiv hawk got is point across. I don't care for those that snipe from their high horse, I'm sure I could make them look like utter fools in a discipline other than English.
O-P
Last edited by O-P; 22nd Mar 2015 at 00:09.
No closer to helping the OP with his question here, although the stear towards previous threads should help.
One big thread drift I cannot resist.
QCS. Who introduced Continuity Drill to QCS?
One big thread drift I cannot resist.
Originally Posted by 4Rock
When I was on 63 Sqn in the early 80's we had Rapier not Hawks
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They had a point mind. 
At the time, I remember walking in Dodge, at Aki, and my FS walking up behind me and putting his dog lead in my rather trendy 1985 earring before nearly pulling my lobe off. "You want to look like a dog, Rush, he hissed, ".. and I'll treat you like a dog". The years dull the pain and the memory, I think he may have spiced the vernacular a little. It was him who gave me my aesthetic critique too.
Great bloke though, seriously.
At the time, I remember walking in Dodge, at Aki, and my FS walking up behind me and putting his dog lead in my rather trendy 1985 earring before nearly pulling my lobe off. "You want to look like a dog, Rush, he hissed, ".. and I'll treat you like a dog". The years dull the pain and the memory, I think he may have spiced the vernacular a little. It was him who gave me my aesthetic critique too.
Great bloke though, seriously.
Al R wrote:
During his time on 14GE at the Towers, the late Don Turbitt was once told by his rather wet IOT Flt Cdr that he had 'unofficer-like bone structure'...
When we had the entry photo taken at graduation, Don was positioned by the photographer at some point amongst the assembled throng - only for 'someone' to call out "Not him - he's got unofficer-like bone structure!", much to the chagrin of the to$$er who'd made the original accusation - and was sitting with the rest of the Flt Cdrs in the photo....
Re QCS continuity drill, for one moment I thought you meant that rifle-twirling thing the Spams seem to love:
I was once told I was too ugly for QCS, fact. And too short. I would sue now.
When we had the entry photo taken at graduation, Don was positioned by the photographer at some point amongst the assembled throng - only for 'someone' to call out "Not him - he's got unofficer-like bone structure!", much to the chagrin of the to$$er who'd made the original accusation - and was sitting with the rest of the Flt Cdrs in the photo....
Re QCS continuity drill, for one moment I thought you meant that rifle-twirling thing the Spams seem to love:
Last edited by BEagle; 23rd Mar 2015 at 09:46.
When I was on 63 Sqn in the early 80's we had Rapier not Hawks
Similarly when I was on 37 Sqn we had Land Rovers, not Shackletons (as Shack37 already knows).
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Courtney, long lost! I would restart but my kids would probably disown me.
Now there's a plan.
Beagle, I once had a particularly vindictive and useless Flt Cdr who said of me and my deportment (in one of my 6000); "Cpl Rush, when visiting the unit in his time off, can sometimes dress unsuitably, much like a biker might".
My successful redress pointed out that my transport at the time was a Honda VFR750 FT.
Now there's a plan.
Beagle, I once had a particularly vindictive and useless Flt Cdr who said of me and my deportment (in one of my 6000); "Cpl Rush, when visiting the unit in his time off, can sometimes dress unsuitably, much like a biker might".
My successful redress pointed out that my transport at the time was a Honda VFR750 FT.
During his time on 14GE at the Towers, the late Don Turbitt was once told by his rather wet IOT Flt Cdr that he had 'unofficer-like bone structure'...