Do we really want an Emotional, Gay, Muslim Armed Forces ?

[Tangled Metal]

All wars are political. There's not been an apolitical war in the history of this sceptred Isle.

Not when the country is threatened,then it's a case of protection of the country.
Thats not political thats survival of the nation.

I disagree. Why was the country threatened? There will be a political reason behind the threat and as a result if it goes to war it means it's a political war.

I suppose you could change political for religious or nationalism. I prefer to think that the use of religion or nationalism as a basis for war is a form of politics too.

I should point out that I view nations as a political idea.

[reohn2]

All wars are political. There's not been an apolitical war in the history of this sceptred Isle.

Not when the country is threatened,then it's a case of protection of the country.
Thats not political thats survival of the nation.

I disagree. Why was the country threatened? There will be a political reason behind the threat and as a result if it goes to war it means it's a political war.

I suppose you could change political for religious or nationalism. I prefer to think that the use of religion or nationalism as a basis for war is a form of politics too.

I'm not getting into the petty squabbling again with you,it's a pointless exercise I have no wish to join in with, thank you.

[Cyril Haearn]

In Germany even the War Minister is female, she has seven children

Her boys just caused a bit of trouble with their War Games, they fired missiles into a dry peat bog which is now smouldering and creating lots of smoke, it will have to be watched for months

[Cunobelin]

The fortunes of War, and i'l feel the plain

Are a wooden leg or a Golden Chain

[Cunobelin]

There is a massive misconception that people join the Armed Services to Kill people.

Many join because it is an option to train, get a trade and better oneself, with opportunities unavailable elsewhere

Perhaps why there tends to be an over representation ion people from deprived areas

[Cyril Haearn]

There is a massive misconception that people join the Armed Services to Kill people.

Many join because it is an option to train, get a trade and better oneself, with opportunities unavailable elsewhere

Perhaps why there tends to be an over representation ion people from deprived areas

Except in the upper echelons of course

[Mick F]

There is a massive misconception that people join the Armed Services to Kill people.

Many join because it is an option to train, get a trade and better oneself, with opportunities unavailable elsewhere

Perhaps why there tends to be an over representation ion people from deprived areas

I joined the RN because my dad said it would be good for me.

Joining up in the late 60's the only people fighting were the Army. The rest of the forces were involved in the Cold War and heavily involved in it too. We in the surface ships RN expected to be obliterated but at least show willing and do our best holding off massively overwhelming USSR fleet, knowing we wouldn't hold out for long.

It came as a massive shock to me, that my weapon system gunnery was killing many many many Argentinians ashore at maximum range night after night after night after night.

I will never get over it.
I didn't join up to kill people.

[landsurfer]

Mick, they where killing us ,,, they killed John and Tim .... we cried and fought back ...
We fired at them because they fired at us ...
I was not fighting for Maggie .. i was fighting for me ...
You may have saved my life, and Duncans, and Phils and Isloynes, and many more of us who would not be here, posting on this forum ..
I may have met you in June only because your actions saved me ..... think of that Mick.

[Cunobelin]

There is a massive misconception that people join the Armed Services to Kill people.

Many join because it is an option to train, get a trade and better oneself, with opportunities unavailable elsewhere

Perhaps why there tends to be an over representation ion people from deprived areas

Except in the upper echelons of course

You would be surprised how many "Officer Class" join because they are a "junior offspring" and need a career... it used to be Army or Clergy

[Cunobelin]

I joined in 1976 and served through both the Falklands and the first Gulf War

If drafted, then you went, but we had a couple of "Gung Ho" guys who were demanding to be sent "down South", so we let them go.

I suppose being a "Scablifter" did offer a level of immunity form direct action, but you are still part of the Service as a whole

[brooksby]

There is a massive misconception that people join the Armed Services to Kill people.

Many join because it is an option to train, get a trade and better oneself, with opportunities unavailable elsewhere

Perhaps why there tends to be an over representation ion people from deprived areas

Don't forget that they've recently been caught out specifically recruiting from said deprived areas.

At least we don't still have the king's shilling and all that - "Congratulations, you've joined the Navy!" "What? Er, but..."

[Cyril Haearn]

There is a massive misconception that people join the Armed Services to Kill people.

Many join because it is an option to train, get a trade and better oneself, with opportunities unavailable elsewhere

Perhaps why there tends to be an over representation ion people from deprived areas

Don't forget that they've recently been caught out specifically recruiting from said deprived areas.

At least we don't still have the king's shilling and all that - "Congratulations, you've joined the Navy!" "What? Er, but..."

But one still has to sign up for many years
We have a few retired servicepersons on here, cannae remember reading posts from any serving people, are there any?

[Cyril Haearn]

There is a massive misconception that people join the Armed Services to Kill people.

Many join because it is an option to train, get a trade and better oneself, with opportunities unavailable elsewhere

Perhaps why there tends to be an over representation ion people from deprived areas

I joined the RN because my dad said it would be good for me.
..

Did you think about it, what else might you have done? For how many years did you sign on to start?

[Cyril Haearn]

There is a massive misconception that people join the Armed Services to Kill people.

Many join because it is an option to train, get a trade and better oneself, with opportunities unavailable elsewhere

Perhaps why there tends to be an over representation ion people from deprived areas

Except in the upper echelons of course

You would be surprised how many "Officer Class" join because they are a "junior offspring" and need a career... it used to be Army or Clergy

In Ireland back then, the oldest lad got the farm
For the others the choice was emigration to America or the church
I guess things are better now
..
We have some ex-servicepersons here, do we have any clergy?

[Cunobelin]

Except in the upper echelons of course

You would be surprised how many "Officer Class" join because they are a "junior offspring" and need a career... it used to be Army or Clergy

In Ireland back then, the oldest lad got the farm
For the others the choice was emigration to America or the church
I guess things are better now
..
We have some ex-servicepersons here, do we have any clergy?

I pray you get an answer