Originally Posted by LooseScrew

To theone,

Be proud of your son's achievements even though they aren't yet what you wanted and please notice my use of the word "yet".

I don't think I can have explained it too well loosescrew. I really am proud of him and never more so than at his passing in. I did suggest the RN by way of an alternative and I think this was motivated by the desire to keep him 200 miles away from any conflict flying the missiles in.

That's just me being protective of my eldest. His mind was made up though, and good for him. I brought him up to know his own mind and to strive to achieve what he wanted. I'm being honest when I say Im worried about him being put in harms way. That said, I'm the one he rings if he's having a bad day and like I said to him, what on earth would you be doing if you were back here. Part time job, very little money and college. With mates who can't go out because you are all always skint.

He doesn't seem to be having to many bad days, he has barely rung since he's gone back, waaaay too busy :D

The looks and attitude from the other parents is real though and its something I thik we have to learn to live with. The lads may well end up hero's, but us parents are a bit brave too as it is us who keep them going despite our own worries for our loved ones.

Still, I reconsile them with the knowledge that if these JS's stayed at home, especially the lads, they are far more likely to be involved in drugs, motor accidents or generally being beaten to a pulp than where they are at present.

I remember being that age and I shudder when I think of my lad pulling some of the stunts I did

and anyways, I know the Army is a noble service, better than the RAF in fact, just not as good as the RN /runs

Theone

Originally Posted by dickie_out_and_about

Firstly The_one welcome.
Ignore the ignorant.

I like your post and that last line is almost my moto for life. Unfortunately there are quite a few of them about and one doesn't want to look mute. Mind you, now I've lost the ability to suffer fools, comments like "well he's been a sod and a half all his life, I though it was the ideal payback" just makes me look a Bar Steward.

I take your point, many of these people who have young families will happily support H4H and the war on terror, just so long as it's done by someone elses son/daughter.

At the moment there's only my lad, that I am aware of in the Army. Come November my nephew in law re enters Phase 2 hoping for the Yorkshire Regt, friends son and Nices b/f both go to Harrogate, so perhaps I wont be so alone in my thoughts.

It's been nice to read the other posts over the last couple of months, even though I didn't post.

I just thought I'd post for a change with some of the things I have seen and maybe others might be thinking too. Then again I could be completely barking up the wrong tree.

Originally Posted by jellybaby123

..we have had this quite a number of times even to one work collegue stating "how could you ,i would rather him mine walking the streets and hanging round street corners "

That's what one mum said to me. I saw red, "so what's your son doing", "hes at college learning to be a plumber, he'll never be out of work".. Thats Right I said, I hire a lot, best get him trained in asbestos though, it kills loads of them and its in nearly every house built pre 1970.

The fact of the matter is, yes our family will be put in harms way, but with the best support and training you can realistically get. They are less at risk from the everyday hazards that killed off a large number people from my childhood. Too be honest I've lost count.

I have a lot of experience of dealing with Antisocial Behaviour from kids on street corners, by way of profession and that mum is clinically insane. The ones that don't get killed pratting about with cars and bikes can often be lead into a life of drugs where they become an unreported statistic on some list of deaths.

We know full well that these lads and lasses are taking up an honourable proffession that is an example to others. Yup they may get shot at and yup, they may have to kill someone but it's all for their country. So I guess you can tell that other parent, well tell them not to get too use to the drugs, coz our kids are going to be out there trying to cut off their supply and they are better armed and trined than yours.

/end rant

The one

Afternoon tea anyone!! can someone pull the curtains it's getting dark outside and put another log on that fire please!!!!

Well I would like to say that anyone joining or joined up in the last 5years or so knows/knew what the situation is and I am even more proud of all of them for doing it, years ago it was just a job that paid and as dickie said it has changed and every soldier that joins needs all of our support even more now. Get your poppy wear it with pride and remember the sacrifices made and being made!!!!!!!

Can someone please get a carpet the wooden floor is cold!

I've had many a discussion with my son as to why he wanted to join up and the only answer I can ever get is that it's all he's ever wanted to do and the way he takes to the life, I can see where he's coming from.
As for the risk to life, as he says, he's more chance of being knocked down crossing the road. Yes, of course there are sad statistics as there are in any conflict but we have to put those stats out of our minds without any disrespect to the fallen and the wounded because they will never be out of our thoughts.
It's crossed my mind as it has yours that my son could become a statistic, we could get that dreaded knock on the door that could change our lives forever but for the sake of keeping my sanity, I can't allow myself to go down that road.
So I continue to back my son to the hilt, no matter what the future holds, just continue backing yours and try not to think beyond his training period and at the end of that he'll be fully trained and well able to take care of himself and his mates.
We're all together in this so promise me...................no more negative thoughts eh?

Originally Posted by LooseScrew

I've had many a discussion with my son as to why he wanted to join up and the only answer I can ever get is that it's all he's ever wanted to do and the way he takes to the life, I can see where he's coming from.

We're all together in this so promise me...................no more negative thoughts eh?

I'll promise you this, he won't hear of them. You might ;p
I have to admit, just writing it down like I have today has helped me keep it in context. I'm amazed.

hehe

The one

Please put the kettle on I'm parched!!!!

Theone said......"I'll promise you this, he won't hear of them. You might
I have to admit, just writing it down like I have today has helped me keep it in context. I'm amazed."

Just ask yourself this, as parents of kids training to be soldiers, do we really want to hear any negative thoughts?

Yes.
If someone's feeling negative this forum is the place to air those thoughts and a. allow other members in the same boat to realise they're not alone and b. allow members the opportunity to help those with negatives thoughts find a positive

Mutual support through empathy

In that case I'm obviously wrong to think that we can all help each other with positive feedback and not negative.

I have to ask you this dickie as I know you are a 22 year man, but do you currently have a JS at Harrogate?