Despite the questionable theatres of `war`that our (UK) troops have been sent into recently and especially given the high level of public opinion against it . . many people in the UK feel that any of our serving troops deserve all the moral support that they can get.
A few months ago I was back in Nottingham and happened to be there when the Sherwood Foresters regiment returned from a long tour of duty in Afghanistan. They were given the freedom of the city and the number of people who turned out to cheer them was just incredible.
UK troops have been involved in some sort of combat scenario almost continuously since the end of WW2, from Korea, through to NI, the Gulf wars, The Balkans and Afghanistan . . so it`s no surprise that troops from countries like Switzerland are given more `minor` roles in peacekeeping situations.
Swiss troops have little or no combat experience but you can bet your bottom dollar that if there was ever another WW and Switzerland was invaded, they would fight, as we and many other countires did. They would learn the hard way for sure but in the end would become more effective.
What about me? well er . . I was in the boy scouts if that helps . My mum and dad met in the army . . my mum was a sargent (bless her) and poor old dad was only a corporal.
On a lighter note I will tell you of my `almost joined the army`story.
Quite a few years ago I was working for a defence company in Bristol and a couple of colleagues were ex Royal Marines but still in the Royal Marine reserve. I was doing a lot of sport at the time and was pretty fit I guess. They pursuaded me that the RM Reserve would be great for me and so I went down to one of the twice/year recruitment evenings. It was incredible . .about 70 people there and they only took 7.
This big guy came in (some sort of NCO) and just started abusing people. First guy he saw, he said `What the f**k are you looking at?` . .then he proceeded to question/abuse peoples colour, sexuality . .anything.
The next week, there were only about 30 people there - my colleagues told me later that was the first `weeding out` stage . . if you can`t even take some pi*s taking then it`s not worth continuing.
At the end of the second evening some guy told me that an officer wanted to see me in his office. Basically he told me that I had come reccommended by my colleagues but that he was going to reject me immediately . . for the simple reason that I had a family (2 very young kids). He said that he had no doubt I would have got through but the committment was just too high, as the RM reserve operate WITH the regulars and have to be as fit as them . . but in your own time . `Why don`t you try the TA?` he suggested helpfully.
Anyway my mates were sorry for me but just laughed about the TA as they didnt have any respect for them. Despite that, the next week I told my wife that I was `Just popping in to get some info` from the TA (Light Infantry or Royal Green Jackets) based in Bath.
Arrived at the TA centre and asked where I should go for some info and someone said `upstairs, last door on the right`. On the door it said Major Biggles (or something like that) `Knock and wait`. So I knocked and a voice said `wait` . . so I waited. All of a sudden some cocky corporal walks past and said `what the f**k are you standing there for?` I told him (or started to) that I was just on my way home and wanted some info. He just cut me off and shouted `get down stairs and get yourself a rifle!! . . with a cleaning kit!!!`
10 minute later I was in a hall with loads of other guys, some in kit others not, trying to figure out how to clean a standard NATO issue rifle. Every time I tried to say `Look old chap, there`s been a mistake` I was just shouted down. Mr Cocky Corporal came around to inspect the barrels and when he came to see mine I just pointed it at him . . ballistic is the term for his reaction I think . . ha ha ha .
He then had us out on a parade ground running around the perimeter and stopping for loads of press ups etc. It was raining and I still had black trousers, white shirt and a tie! By this time I was getting pretty pissed and had already decided that I wasn`t coming back but I sure as hell wasn`t going to let Mr Corporal tire me out. In the end he lost his rag because I could keep up with any pace he set and any number of press-ups - I think I was nearly pissing myself laughing actually and he knew it. . I thought we were going to come to blows at one point.
I think I finally got home around midnight thinking `what the hell?` .
We could even appoint him to the position of Welcome Moderator...
Who said anything about what the government thinks?
It's not what they think, it's what your colleagues, friends and family think.
Here (apparently) it is somehow acceptable to come up with any cockamamie excuse for not doing military service, perhaps because it is compulsory.
Coming out and saying "You really shouldn't put me in the military because if you do, when it comes time to fight, I'll surrender so fast your head will spin"... whew, I hope THAT doesn't turn up on someone's work history someplace!
Stand up for what you believe, you believe in NOT fighting. Petition to have it changed so that it isn't compulsory. Leave the country. Sacrifice SOMETHING for pity's sake!
Yeah its just not something I really would care about. If you told the people you care about the reasons you lied and they know you, then I would not (and nor would my friends and family) care at all. Maybe thats just me but I have a feeling everyone that I know who act similarly if in that situation
I could be wrong, but I thought soldiers are obliged to look smart and are not allowed to change into civil clothing before reaching their destination when on leave, so it would be surprising that they would look sloppy.
Also I was under the impression that you're not allowed to wear your uniform in public unless you're on duty or going to military service etc, so it would be equally surprising to see kids hanging around being sloppy in uniforms
*confused*
Just only 50-60 years ago, the Brits were ruling about 50 countries and you are complaining about a bunch of kids who are forcefully entered into Army and having some good time ?!!!! And now you are proud about the British Army?!! For what?!!
The Brits dont have any rights to talk about war and they should start concentrating on topping the CWG :P....
Nicky, you are of course entitled to have a groan at me - I'd just like to know your reasons, if you don't mind. Thanks.
Only good thing that POMS have is they have got most of the world speaking their language including me
For being the USAs favorite Poodle? Attaboy, attaboy, sit!
ducks for cover....
But I have also seen highly motivated young men doing their military service here maintaining jet fighters and helicopters, fully aware that a mistake could cause the death of the person flying the machine.
Judging a whole group of people on the basis of a few bad apples is probably a mistake.