That is a drawback of writing like an epileptic spider.

Mind you, some of those RD types efforts in crayon weren't too clever....

Juniors shouldn't bother introductory letters as the heads of sheds have far too much to do read them all. If you should continue to make them write LoIs then manage their expectation that they probably wont get a reply. we are certainly discouraging such letters from Cpls and below, and I am at a Sigs unit.

Originally Posted by ashford_old_school

Juniors shouldn't bother introductory letters as the heads of sheds have far too much to do read them all. If you should continue to make them write LoIs then manage their expectation that they probably wont get a reply. we are certainly discouraging such letters from Cpls and below, and I am at a Sigs unit.

It's pretty rare to see letters of introduction below the rank of Sgt, but once you reach the dizzy heights simply speak to a suitable role model who has done loads before and ask if you can blatantly rip them off - ahem...pay tribute to their work. :D Job done.

I reported for duty at 8 Sig Regt in 1990. I pegged into the Badges office and he asked me "Have you written to me?"

"No Sir, we haven't met" was the reply.

He shouted a bit.

Lol, Guru!

Have to say i'm more than a little miffed to read Ashford_old_school's response to this post. I'd like to think that ANY rank that has the nounce to write to a future Unit should recieve the courtesy of a reply, however brief.

I accept that the Field Army are a busy bunch of teds, and you can rest assured that we at the School are not actively promoting letter writing. But if an enthusiastic young chap/chappess has the wits and forethought to write to their future Unit then they should be dealt with in the same enthusiastic manner.

Blimey, "they probably won't get a reply"!!!!! Nothing like crapping all over their zeal before they've even arrived! :(

Indeed. I would have thought that if a JNCO had written to the OC, I feel that it would be proper that the letter be passed to his prospective Troop Commander, who would get his crayon out, make a drawing of a house and a cloud and give it to his Troop Staffie to post.

It is polite to introduce yourself prior to arriving. I never did it as a Junior and was lucky enough to get away with it. A large proportion of the guys incoming to my Sqn write and the OC loves it but, wouldnt be fussed if they didn't as he is a nice chap.

Notwithstanding JSP 101 and service writing comes as a surprise to many when suddenly they are asked to produce a piece of work. Writing Formal letters with a bit of help is the ideal way to learn

SNCOs only doing it is old school and elitist and too many of the current crop suffer from a late intro into this black and yearly changing art and it shows. Heaven forbid we let some of the scroats threaten us with real intelligence and literacy from an early stage. Lets give them a chance.

Originally Posted by E-Layer

The Corps should disseminate CO's and RSM's mobile numbers.

That way, the younger generation could send an introductory 'text' to their new heirarchy to save time and paper.

Newbie:

"LO M8, Psted in Nov 09, lukin fwd to servin wiv u soon. ttfn )

RSM:

"lol, s8me here m8, be lucky. x o x o Badge"

E-Layer - you are a truly evil man. This will no doubt turn into the template for recruits leaving Phase 1. :D :D

Would they fall for it though?

Did see one a few years ago, where the template's "Loamshires" unit had not been replaced by the writer.

As PD says "...blatantly rip them off - ahem...pay tribute to their work."

Given that I don't have confirmation of posting and am likely to lose outgoing BFPO access before I get it, my next boss will be getting an e-Bluey of Introduction