How many of us are ex-military?

I know theres a lot of banter between the different elements of the armed forces, but i can't help respecting the way the RM officers and ratings have to do the same qualifying test only the officers have to do it better and quickier. To me that just builds coinfedence. Not so in the Navy, you get some 19 year snotty nosed subby straight out of Dartmouth that does'nt know his **** from his elbow who comes onboard and tries to take charge of evolutions that they've seen once on a dvd, While trying to gain as many points as possible. I'm not saying there all like that, but to many are.

I'm amazed by the proportion of ex military in the org if true, but I think the replies are probably biased - any ex militaries will have noticed the post and replied, whereas most non-ex-militaries will have just skipped the post.

I was in the ATC as a youth but I don't think that counts, so I voted no.

my ex did 22 years in navy ending up as cpowea and then did aib and is now starting 12 years as officer. great life but not for rest of family glad im out of it

Marine cadets me..... In the band too!!!

Played in front of the Queen and other royals.

Not really the forces but nearly!!

Originally Posted by phil24_7

Marine cadets me..... In the band too!!!

Played in front of the Queen and other royals.

Not really the forces but nearly!!

What did you play in the band? We had a full marching band led by Roger Jones, an ex RM bandmaster. I was the Drum Major for three years and led the band in front of royalty6-8 times in that period.

Originally Posted by bikerskez

I know theres a lot of banter between the different elements of the armed forces, but i can't help respecting the way the RM officers and ratings have to do the same qualifying test only the officers have to do it better and quickier. To me that just builds coinfedence. Not so in the Navy, you get some 19 year snotty nosed subby straight out of Dartmouth that does'nt know his **** from his elbow who comes onboard and tries to take charge of evolutions that they've seen once on a dvd, While trying to gain as many points as possible. I'm not saying there all like that, but to many are.

I know what you mean, whenever I speak to an RM officer I can never forget that they not only passed the commando course, they did it faster than all the men they lead. I have immense respect for people who pass the course anyway, let alone under the extra pressure the YO's have.

Originally Posted by TheDangerousQuietOne

What did you play in the band? We had a full marching band led by Roger Jones, an ex RM bandmaster. I was the Drum Major for three years and led the band in front of royalty6-8 times in that period.

I learned a variety of instruments but I was most proficient at the trumpet.

We had a full band and played in Cean, Brest, San Sebastian, somewhere in Germany, all over the place really. I even played at the Royal Albert Hall and at a couple of the Royal Tournaments, I was in the RMVCC in Plymouth from age 6-12!

Originally Posted by andyaikido

Pre - military.

Trying to decide between Paras and Marines.

every regiment and corps has its own para & commando unit in the royal artillery we had 7th para and 29 commando, was always a better set of lads the 7 para was a bit meat n veg

Ex REME

Ex RAF 76-86 great life, still miss it