dutybooty
Old Salt
Irlsgt and goon_bde, you ask why couldn't infantry soldiers be chefs or clerks.....Because they'd get threaders and leave, or do the job to the lowest standard possible. A lad joins the Corps to become a RM Commando, serves in a Commando unit as a GD marine (rifleman) and then, after approximately 12 months, enters the "ping bracket" where he is liable to compulsory specialisation, most likely into certain pinch point trades such as those already listed. Whilst the fulfillment of these drafts is essential in order to retain any sort of self sufficiency for the unit, as im sure you appreciate it does not sit well with Mne Harry Black who joined up to be a commando, not chef, clerk,driver etc. Consequently (and quite understanably) morale suffers, as does productivity - at CTCRM Lympstone where most of the clerical work is done by Writers from the RN, pay fcuk ups are few and far between and for the most part quickly resolved (or were before introduction of JPA)....however, go to Mne Black in a Commando unit who never wanted to be a clerk, hates his job and is counting down the days until he is released from his branch and able to do a job he chooses to again (or indeed until he goes outside, as he's out his chit in as soon as he received his ping order) and i wonder how effectively it gets dealt with...
Obviously the needs of the service come first and overall it works, however with your suggestions on how to restructure the army you have the luxury of having people who join with the intention of being a clerk, driver, chef, signaller etc - in a moment of clarity and maturity which wont happen again for a while, there is nothing wrong with that - they join the army, and do a job they chose to do, and i suspect do it better than if you began pinging Pte Snodgrass who joined to be an infantryman but then gets told he is to serve within his Btn as a chef.
Obviously the needs of the service come first and overall it works, however with your suggestions on how to restructure the army you have the luxury of having people who join with the intention of being a clerk, driver, chef, signaller etc - in a moment of clarity and maturity which wont happen again for a while, there is nothing wrong with that - they join the army, and do a job they chose to do, and i suspect do it better than if you began pinging Pte Snodgrass who joined to be an infantryman but then gets told he is to serve within his Btn as a chef.