Thu, 2005-07-14 15:34
A while ago, it became surprisingly apparent that a great number of the regulars on this forum are exponents of some form of marshal art. It is now seems that we have a high proportion of ex-military personnel among us. I find this equally as odd but is it true?
I'll start the ball rolling by declaring that I spent 13 years in the Royal Air Force as an avionics technician. Who else is ex-military?
Thu, 2005-07-14 16:01
#1
Ex-military personnel?
1) The British Army - OSA forbids further detail :-# - but it was not the catering corps :!: Believe me, you don't want to sample my cooking. However, to narrow it down a tad, one of our tedious jokes during the first unpleasantness in the Gulf was, " We would send in the Stealth, if only we could find it." Sorry everyone :roll:
2) The Royal Naval Reserve - aahh that's easier - NCS - Naval Control of Shipping as in "We have a convoy!" lost somewhere in the Atlantic, Western Approaches or wherever - we were only volunteers after all!
Now, that's done for my web anonymity - hello gang, yes it is your beloved leader speaking. I'm still extant - so keep the Chrissie Cards coming 
Fri, 2005-07-15 11:25
#2
Ex-military personnel?
Just you and me then, Roy.
It's POETS day, so when the Ministry of Defence closes down at 1600hrsZulu and everyone disappears on a jolly, the defence of the realm is down to us.
Meet you at the White Cliffs, bring all the pea-shooters, clockwork aircraft and stone ships you can round up. You're bound to get there first and your country knows it can rely on you alone. l'll get there as soon as I can in my Austin 7 to help you out with tea and biscuits.
http://www.motorsnippets.com/news_item.asp?articleid=386
Fri, 2005-07-15 11:31
#3
Ex-military personnel?
Lorraine wrote:
Just you and me then, Roy.
No, there are more but I guess they choose not to talk about it - fair enough!
Fri, 2005-07-15 11:37
#4
Ex-military personnel?
Well, if you're going to get serious :roll: - we know there are more because they've already "alluded" to military service - but when the time comes...
Fri, 2005-07-15 11:44
#5
Ex-military personnel?
Lorraine wrote:
...but when the time comes...
...yes, yes; we'll be there with our pea-shooters and clockwork aircraft
I did laugh but I'm not in my usual flippant mood at the moment - sorry! I'm advert deadline-chasing and dealing with BIG company execs who take arrogance and discourtesy to new heights (or depths).
Fri, 2005-07-15 11:48
#6
Ex-military personnel?
Sorry to disturb... guess you're feeling a bit like this:
<p> <div></p> I'm off to buy </div><object>an axe, then <embed> it <style>stylistically speaking in my head <body><head></body></head></object></embed>.
<p> <p> </p></p>
This is just the transitional phase you understand, because strict ly speaking, I should be <b>working.</style>.
<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>what else? oh yes</b>.
Fri, 2005-07-15 11:50
#7
Ex-military personnel?
Lorraine I can but assume that this hot spell has had an adverse effect on your sanity
Fri, 2005-07-15 11:54
#8
Ex-military personnel?
I'll have you know Briski, that's my best FrontPage work.
BTW if you've got any pitchforks bring them to the White Cliffs to help us out, no expertise required to "stick it up'em". I promise I have not cooked the biscuits.
Fri, 2005-07-15 11:57
#9
Ex-military personnel?
As it goes I have a good bit bit of experience in pitchfork lobbing/avoiding (it's a wonder I survived childhood) so I'll be there!
Fri, 2005-07-15 12:09
#10
Ex-military personnel?
Good lad/ess - "you know it makes sense".
Fri, 2005-07-15 16:46
#11
Ex-military personnel?
I was three years in the RCACS. 810 Grant McConachie Squadron, and then transfered to the 504 Montgomery Chinté. I achieved the rank of Corporal.
Somewhat glad I'm out now, but those three years were very interesting. Lost contact with pretty much everybody I met there, even though I have their numbers. Distance puts too much stress on talking to any of them. 
I refuse to be like the faceless masses of sheep and have a signatu......awwwwwwwww CRAP!!
Backups? Ha! I've never had troub**&{[}$$ERROR NO CARRIER
Fri, 2005-07-15 17:25
#12
Ex-military personnel?
I need to stop sleeping so much!
Retired United States Air Force. 20 years Biomedical Equipment Maintenance (Medical electronics).
Played wargames a few times and rated expert with the M16. Never formalized it with the personnel office as I didn't want them thinking they could pull me for sniper duty or some such..... I liked wearing medical whites & carrying a Geneva Convention card as a medic. Had enough basic medical to be practical in a POW situation if it came down to that.... :?
Fri, 2005-07-15 18:37
#13
Ex-military personnel?
nix wrote:
I was three years in the RCACS. 810 Grant McConachie Squadron
I'm guessing that's Royal Canadian something or other - yes? In the UK a squadron consists of aircraft or air force personnel (the exception being the SAS) so I'm guessing Royal Canadian Air...
Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron (surely not)
or
Royal Canadian Air Craft spotters (
) or
Royal Canadian Assault Craft Specialists?
Go on - give us a clue.
[ I wish people would at least put their home country in their profile :roll: ]
Fri, 2005-07-15 18:40
#14
Ex-military personnel?
I'm a canadian and I was in scouts once :?
Kind of feel left out 
Fri, 2005-07-15 19:13
#15
Ex-military personnel?
sanch3x wrote:
Kind of feel left out
Ahhhh - Bless
Fri, 2005-07-15 19:20
#16
Ex-military personnel?
Quote:
I'm a canadian and I was in scouts once :?
You are welcome to join the csscreator international regiment because of all your badges which must be so much prettier that my nasty, cheap and solitary medal that was dished up with the rations
Fri, 2005-07-15 19:52
#17
Ex-military personnel?
DeprecatedDiva wrote:
I liked wearing medical whites
Now that is going to give some of the elderly gentlemen here a mild cardiac infarction.
BTW I have an acute PITA at the moment , what would you prescribe?
Fri, 2005-07-15 19:57
#18
Ex-military personnel?
Lorraine wrote:
Quote:I'm a canadian and I was in scouts once :?
You are welcome to join the csscreator international regiment because of all your badges which must be so much prettier that my nasty, cheap and solitary medal that was dished up with the rations
Yeah but I got more than just pretty badges, I also got mad skillz (skillz with a Z because Z's are more plural than S's) 
Sat, 2005-07-16 02:01
#19
Ex-military personnel?
I was in the United States Navy as an Electronic Technician in the nuclear field.
Sat, 2005-07-16 03:16
#20
Ex-military personnel?
Triumph wrote:
My brother was a "Fireman" and I do believe they still called him that even when he worked on N-powered ships. In this case I think fireman is a holdover from the days when the engines' fireboxes were stoked with coal to build pressure in the boilers that used steam to turn the turbines. :roll: I was in the United States Navy as an Electronic Technician in the nuclear field.
Sat, 2005-07-16 03:25
#21
Ex-military personnel?
DeprecatedDiva wrote:
In the nuclear field the Electronics Technicians (Twidgets) are "Seamen" (OK, no jokes!!!) My brother was a "Fireman" and I do believe they still called him that even when he worked on N-powered ships. In this case I think fireman is a holdover from the days when the engines' fireboxes were stoked with coal to build pressure in the boilers that used steam to turn the turbines. :roll:
The Electricians Mates (Spark Chasers) and Machinists Mates (Knuckle Draggers) were Firemen.
Quote:
The four basic communities in the Navy are Seamen(as in a sailor not the other thing), Airmen, Firemen and Seabees. Seamen are you basic sailors who do most of the jobs you think of when you think of the Navy. These are your Boatswain's Mates, Gunner's Mates and Quartermasters. Airmen are anyone who work on the flight deck of Carrier's. They also get a lot of short based work at home and in other countries. If that is what you want, they aren't a bad choice, however their advancement, as a general rule, isn't the best. Firemen are all your engineering jobs. If you like mechanics, and don't mind getting dirty, these jobs are for you. Seabees, well if you want to be in the Navy and never see a ship this is your spot. They do construction work all over the world. They work hard and play hard, you'll have stories by the time you are done.
Sat, 2005-07-16 15:29
#22
Ex-military personnel?
That explains a lot "T"! I never thought to question what he told me about his job!
Sat, 2005-07-16 18:29
#23
Ex-military personnel?
roytheboy wrote:
Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron (surely not)
Ding ding ding! we have a winner. What's wrong with the RCACS? In Canada, the Cadet Squadrons are a part of the DND. Was on a payroll and all. Got to fly planes too. I wanted to get my powered wings, but didn't stick around long enough. Instead, I took air crew survival. Only group not to drop out due to hypothermia
Sure, Cadets aren't the full blown army, but t'was a close taste... Not that Canada really has an Army. We don't even have 20,000 regulars. Split that up three ways, and you get 6500 for each division.
I refuse to be like the faceless masses of sheep and have a signatu......awwwwwwwww CRAP!!
Backups? Ha! I've never had troub**&{[}$$ERROR NO CARRIER
Sat, 2005-07-16 18:48
#24
Ex-military personnel?
nix wrote:
Ding ding ding! we have a winner. What's wrong with the RCACS?
I was joking when I said Air Cadets because in the UK the cadet force is for school children and is not a paid activity - I was an Air Cadet once upon a time
It sounds to me like the cadet force in Canada is more like what we in the UK would call a Territorial Army made up of civilians who undertake basic training and a few exercises each year in return the Queen's shilling (pay) and the chance to go to war if so called (whoopie :roll: ). Yes; no?