Mixed Emotions part 2
 

Thanks to everyone who responded to the first post about my son going for an Army Officer interview today.

Well he got through that and now has to do a 3 day final selection board once he has his A level results and has a confirmed place at University. That will be July/August.

If he gets through that (and being a single-minded little b***** I'm sure he will) then worse case he is guaranteed a place at Sandhurst after his degree. Best case they may actually bung him some cash towards the Uni fees as well.

And the Colonel who interviews him today reinforced his desire to be a Para. Mainly cos he will get £35k on starting with them as opposed to £30k in a normal infantry unit. I guess they pay them more as they don't have to pay them for so long...

I'm really proud of him and at the same time I just keep thinking of Wootton Bassett. I just pray for an outbreak of Peace for the next 30 years or so.

Re: Mixed Emotions part 2
 

Dont assume that just cos he's joining the para's his life expectancy will be shortened mate, he's got to get there first and by the time he does combat ops on the ground in Afghan will be all but over, he may well join the para's and have no one to fight, saying that the Falklands is brewing up nicely...

Re: Mixed Emotions part 2
 

I symathise with you (I can't say I understand as I don't have any children), but as I understand it, the soldiers who do this work love everything which makes up life in the army, they wouldn't have it any other way, even if they are injured.
And if you think about the %age of soldiers who are injured in some way, it's really very small.

Impressed with the wages tho!

Re: Mixed Emotions part 2
 

What is his motivation to join the Infantry branch? (Just curious)

I wish I'd been able to have to opportunity, unfortunately my eyesight is rubbish so it ruled me out. My brother is navy though it I'm really proud of him and he has passion for what he does that I certainly don't see in anyone I work with!

Yes there's a risk but he'll be well trained and if he's a good leader he'll do everything to mitigate the risks. If we worried about everything that 'could' go wrong we'd never cross a road. Obviously what's easy for me to say though as he's not my son.

Re: Mixed Emotions part 2
 

Yep, kick off early 2013 i believe ;)

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I think it probably comes from watching Band of Brothers which he pretty much knows off by heart.

Re: Mixed Emotions part 2
 

My Dad survived 27 years in the army... he is still breathing. He is making a career for himself not signing his own death sentence.

Re: Mixed Emotions part 2
 

I'm confused is he going para or infantry ?

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relax ruperts (endearing term for officers) dont do the fighting their to busy having tea and scones while thinking up stupid ways to change something that works perfectly well so it takes twice as long with twice the work
:)

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LOL!!!

So true Maj I worked with always said he had two years in a post to really f*ck things up before they started thinking about moving him on... God did he try his best in every post they put him into...

Re: Mixed Emotions part 2
 

WTF?

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Er WTF ? Simple enough question

Re: Mixed Emotions part 2
 

Is this a wah?

Paras are infantry.

Re: Mixed Emotions part 2
 

I stand corrected, I take it your an ex para mate ?

Re: Mixed Emotions part 2
 

Heck no, I was never that fit. I served in the RAF, in a field unit.

Re: Mixed Emotions part 2
 

Just been announced a member the RAF Regt has died as a result of small arms fire in Helmand today, another family shattered.

Re: Mixed Emotions part 2
 

Field unit ? What trade were you ?

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Crab-fat harvester I do believe :-)

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Lol

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Ha. Supply!

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Blanket stacker ? Good man :)

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Good for your lad!

Advise him though that if he really wants to show just how awesome a soldier he can be then the intelligent mans choice is to join the Mighty Corps of the Royal Engineers as a Superdooper Sapper! He can still do his Airborne bit if he really wants too as an Engineer but if he really, really wants the only badge that matters in the Army world then Bomb Disposal is the only route!!!!!!! :D

REspect!

Re: Mixed Emotions part 2
 

EOD? Operation Certain Death.

Well done to your lad btw.

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Those guys have my utmost respect and admiration.

Thankfully my son watched the Hurt Locker with me and thought that as a career it was just too b***** dangerous.

Obviously in his mind jumping out of nice safe aeroplanes and being in the unit that gets the toughest jobs is a whole lot safer....

Re: Mixed Emotions part 2
 

eod is easy
even i did it and im a thick paddy

and for your info pj enginequeers arent real eod
rlc is where its at
321 bobcat crew :)

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I read this recently, very sobering and quite upsetting in parts, if theres one group of guys in Afghan who are going above and beyond its the bomb disposal guys and girls, I cant give these guys more respect
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0...0ZSJX3GK5Q8K51

Re: Mixed Emotions part 2
 

Too right. Follow the Sappers, for we lead the way.

erm, Dave mate, the sappers do their bit for EOD as well you know - just as much as the Remfs in the Really Large Corps. The mk8 barrow was even invented by a sapper ffs!! Wind your neck in yah t'ick bog-trotter or I'll "Lee Clegg" you.







Loves ya really big man!!