Originally Posted by NVG_Goatman

Failing that, Pay As You Fire? Pay as you drive?

Sshhh! Security, and all that.

Originally Posted by PE4rocks

Originally Posted by NVG_Goatman

Failing that, Pay As You Fire? Pay as you drive?

Sshhh! Security, and all that.

Ooops. Sorry. Good thing I didn't mention the new top secret, "Pay As You Whine" facility.

Doublle Ooops. Now I've done it.

The “train with blanks rather than live rounds” line sounds like a reporter who does not know what he is talking about.

There may have been serious cutbacks in the amount of live ammunition available, however, to suggest that soldiers will be using blanks instead is nonsensical.

In any event the TA's real problem is lack of MTDs, units no longer have time to go to the ranges anyway.

It is funny how things have gone full circle. I can remember in the 70's when I was in Sennelager and the last Liarbour government were in power, tankies being reduced to a maximum of 25 road miles a year and no live firing, no ranges due to a lack of 9mm and 7.62.

The sooner this government are put to sleep the better, but will the alternative make any difference?

Look at all that crap Indian 9mil we bought & had to dump because it was pants!
What's next? The RAF dropping grenades out of Cessnas? The Navy going to sea in canal boats?
I wonder if all this penny-pinching woul've beenthought up if the Gov & MP's had'nt been cought out fiddling expenses....

On arrival at RMAS in 1974 we were issued with bicycles.

Specialist Entrant and Re-entrant (SERE) cadets at RAF Cranwell had to run around with a 9mm pistol and shout "bang"! Everyone else had rifle, even issued blank ammunition at one stage!

TA we did platoon up to company live firing during one particular training year, but that was infantry. I was not exactly a very good soldier (maybe why I joined the RAF) but these really rammed home the importance of weapon handling and this cannot be taught on the SAT range. If true, this is immensely stupid and could cost lives through ND and poor drills.

Originally Posted by duffdike

On arrival at RMAS in 1974 we were issued with bicycles.

Are you sure it wasn't just you?

Originally Posted by NVG_Goatman

But, Sir, what if someone comes at you with a pointed stick?

Who cares about pointed sticks, this is more important and next idea from the bean counters:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piWCBOsJr-w

Originally Posted by MrPVRd

Specialist Entrant and Re-entrant (SERE) cadets at RAF Cranwell had to run around with a 9mm pistol and shout "bang"! Everyone else had rifle, even issued blank ammunition at one stage!

I'd only trust a crab with an unloaded gun too.