I’m a curious soul, (and a sad pedantic little W*****, before someone else says it), but I lust had to point out a tiny little point. YOU ARE A COMPLETE WALTER. Either that or you are some smart-ass trying to take the piss out us “genuine ‘ard as nails warriors”. And I WAS on the Balcony before you ask.
Age: “I'm 53 but i can still kick ass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” so in 1971 (if u wanna check me out ask any question about 21 1971- 73) you would have been 18. OK, but you previously served in ”Ex Royal Westminster Dragoons, 1 month in 10 Para then 21 SAS” So you would have been in the Dragoons at what 16,17? Then you say “Sorry, i got it wrong, It was Berkshire and Westminster Dragoons” who were disbanded in 1969 when you were, umm, 16. Minimum age for joining the TA is 17.
Medic:
1) You were “in” the SAS for two years (1971-73), during which time you passed aptitude, Continuation (min 18 months) then got posted straight to training wing! “I was a medic in the training wing selection course directing staff for 12 months.” “i was in HQ sqdn for a few years” (a few years! You were only “in” for two years!) AND you still managed to fit in a few Exercises;” If u want i can mention a bit about some exercises or overseas training that maybe help u remember” Genius.
2) “I was Regimental Medical Assistant working with the Doc if that helps jog memories” (Singular), “i was regimental medical assistant and there were 2 M.O's, one had a surname beginning with F, the others surname began with a V.
Just in case u think i'm a walter” (Plural)
Selection (aka aptitude): I love these gems!
1) “and don't forget you are sleeping in snow or on ice often”. WTF! There are woods both in the Beacons, South Downs, even in Kenya. You basha in woods. Simple.
2) “Get a cheapo pair of binoculars and use them on the mountains to keep an eye on other candidates and DS, you know, the mini binos. You got to be one step ahead, right. Be switched on and you are half way there” Double WTF!
3) “found one of our course unconscious in a stream… we flagged down a passing motorist some distance away.” Can’t think of a single location in the Beacons where there is a stream nearish enough to a road for this to happen. Tell me where.
4) “Buy a waterproof bag for inside your bergen so you can swim across a river if its gonna save you a few hours, but make sure you got dry clothes in the sack, have fun.”
Navigation:
1) “[Compass]Get the one on a rectangular base so you can use it for getting bearings off maps easily.” No Sh1t! I’d never thought of that.
2) “many people bought their own Silva orienteering compass, lighter, cheaper and don't cost so much if you lose it” Come on mate, Orienteering compasses are in degrees. Military compasses are in Mils.
Other Stuff:
1) “And the boathouse and the garage were the sameplace with a blue door!!!!!” Boathouse? In the Duke of Yorks?
2) “The CO was a guy whose name ended in s, he was seconded from 22.” A CO of 21 seconded from 22! What will they think of next!
I look forward to your rebuttal of these heinous allegations.
