ARmy Rumour SErvice

Originally Posted by Oyibo

Sorry to say STL, but that's utter bolloxs. PARAs are far better than Guards and don't give a hoot about officer background.

Edited to add:

I'm saluting you now Sir

Originally Posted by Rotta

They never really took it seriously back then, but people change. From what I hear he signed up and went to Bosnia after leaving cadets, then came back, did Uni and then Sandhurst. I can imagine he had a pretty big advantage over the other Officer Cadets at the field tasks thanks to that, too. I suppose I'd be happy to be led by them from an experience standpoint, but there might be a bit of friction thanks to me once being his NCO.

You appear to be getting quite a bit of stick for this comment, I'l try and help you out here.

I used to be in the Cadets, was a cadet sergeant before I left due to age. I would probably find it weird if some of the younger guys I used to teach were to become my commanding officer, but I don't think there would be any friction. If anything, I'd respect him more for having achieved what I'm aiming for before me.


Similarily, in the cadets, if I ever met anyone out of uniform or once the weekend/evening was over, any pretence of rank was dropped. Only the most officious and the WALTs would try and gain authority over others when there was no need for it. I suspect if this guy was ever leading you, you would soon forget about the kid who used to go to cadets with you, and see him as the person he's become in the meantime.

[QUOTE=serve_to_lead2011;4323322]Nope, still got a few years to go yet, got to get Uni done first and then I'll be joining up. Was I wrong in my assessment in #6?[/QUOTE}

Yes I think you were totally wrong in your assessment. I don't think the Commandant was trying to "passify" him (pacify?), I think the Commandant wanted to understand the guys reasoning. I think he did, and appreciated that the guy had a genuine issue. Also your remark ref. SNCO's: It is SNCO's who run the day to day training at Sandhurst so he would have had a lot of contact with them. Also, the guy has to go through Colour Sgt, Platoon Commander, Company Commander and College Commander before he gets anywhere near the Commandant. None of these people are likely to tolerate "nonsense" or try to "passify" Officer Cadets. You will find this out if you ever get to Sandhurst!

For what it's worth I do think he should have thought in more depth about the issue of the morality of killing before he arrived at Old College steps, but even so better to bring it up in term 1 than wait until he gets to a working unit then decide. As an aside the Old College Commander started bringing it into his closing address to PCCBC's, with words to the effect "have the debate about killing now, not when you get to Sandhurst".

What a load of nonsense! It generally seems to be accepted on here that the Paras and Guards are the best infantary units.

You are right, what a load of nonsense.

Originally Posted by Switchback

Yes I think you were totally wrong in your assessment. I don't think the Commandant was trying to "passify" him (pacify?), I think the Commandant wanted to understand the guys reasoning. I think he did, and appreciated that the guy had a genuine issue. Also your remark ref. SNCO's: It is SNCO's who run the day to day training at Sandhurst so he would have had a lot of contact with them. Also, the guy has to go through Colour Sgt, Platoon Commander, Company Commander and College Commander before he gets anywhere near the Commandant. None of these people are likely to tolerate "nonsense" or try to "passify" Officer Cadets. You will find this out if you ever get to Sandhurst!

For what it's worth I do think he should have thought in more depth about the issue of the morality of killing before he arrived at Old College steps, but even so better to bring it up in term 1 than wait until he gets to a working unit then decide. As an aside the Old College Commander started bringing it into his closing address to PCCBC's, with words to the effect "have the debate about killing now, not when you get to Sandhurst".

Points taken, out of interest, what does happen if you commission and then find that you cannot pull the trigger? Does the Army make you serve out the time?

More generally, I wonder what this has done to the reputation of Officers as a group...I mean, imagine potential/serving squaddies watching these guys...cannot be good for the authority of officers!

Originally Posted by serve_to_lead2011

Points taken, out of interest, what does happen if you commission and then find that you cannot pull the trigger? Does the Army make you serve out the time?

More generally, I wonder what this has done to the reputation of Officers as a group...I mean, imagine potential/serving squaddies watching these guys...cannot be good for the authority of officers!

You either get a bit dead, or (more likely) the men under your command do the same. Thing is, the only way you'll find out is when it's too late to argue about it.

Whoever was that wet Ocdt who eventually commissed into the cav on the last episode..... Id would have shot the idiot in battle. He only managed to commissioned because daddy did. An out and out liabilty, hed never make it as an NCO....... If thats the shite sandhurst are pushing out now, they need to have a good look at themselves......

Before you say - Who I am to judge??? I worked at sandhurst for 3 years as an NCO not DS but attached.... and have 20 years served experience.... If was his Pl Sgt - Id rag the idiot senseless...... A waste of rations...... If you apsire to be like him - you'll never get the troops respect - fact...... Take heed ladies and gents....

Originally Posted by Oyibo

PARAs are far thicker, Lower IQ'd and senseless than Guards and that's why they don't give a hoot about officer background.

Edited to add:

Sounds more like it!

Only picking on you because you're a chippy fuck, but at least you've probably served to stick for your own capbadge. Maybe I'll start Telling everyone about how to spend their pensions', even though I've got another 30 years to get mine.
Edited to add: :(

Originally Posted by ex_donkey_man

Sounds more like it!

Only picking on you because you're a chippy fuck, but at least you've probably served to stick for your own capbadge. Maybe I'll start Telling everyone about how to spend their pensions', even though I've got another 30 years to get mine.

Knob! No smiley this time, because even if you understood what a joke was, it's clear you don't recognise one when you see it.