Good point.
I await comment in the Globe & Laurel.
Best wishes-
Chas.
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Commando on the front line, Episode 4.
Chas, bitch away - I think you've earned the right and I agree wholeheartedly
Fair shout Von, I think you made some very good points in response to my provocative (and slightly devil's advocate) post.
True enough it's a meritocratic organisation and it's probably worth mentioning that NCO's form a large part of a YO's training team so it's hardly likely that any duffers would slip through the net. I would imagine it's also true to say that YO's can't stick their thumb up their arses and just crack on with what they're told. I can comment on recruit training (only) and there are enough command tasks throughout training to keep you occupied - even on that rather second rate affair .
I don't doubt that it's a very hard course for one minute but the two lads that I know who went Corps Commission didn't give me the impression that it was "infinitely harder" (at least physically) and neither was the fittest in the troop by a long shot. To suggest that doesn't say much for the course that most lads here are aspiring to and I think it cultivates an elitist myth that my experience doesn't support. It would be interesting to hear of any Corps Commission YO failures. Command tasks and admin on top of phys...that's cool and to be respected but to suggest that officers are trained in all respects to a much higher standard is a bit divisive.
However, I should mention that I've come across some inspirational bootnecks who were officers but the percentage wasn't any greater than amongst other ranks. All I'm trying to say is that the demarcation isn't as clear as the 'hierarchy' would have us believe and also that the self serving distance and arrogance that a fair few officers show towards their fellow bootnecks doesn't really help the team.
Fair shout Von, I think you made some very good points in response to my provocative (and slightly devil's advocate) post.
True enough it's a meritocratic organisation and it's probably worth mentioning that NCO's form a large part of a YO's training team so it's hardly likely that any duffers would slip through the net. I would imagine it's also true to say that YO's can't stick their thumb up their arses and just crack on with what they're told. I can comment on recruit training (only) and there are enough command tasks throughout training to keep you occupied - even on that rather second rate affair
.I don't doubt that it's a very hard course for one minute but the two lads that I know who went Corps Commission didn't give me the impression that it was "infinitely harder" (at least physically) and neither was the fittest in the troop by a long shot. To suggest that doesn't say much for the course that most lads here are aspiring to and I think it cultivates an elitist myth that my experience doesn't support. It would be interesting to hear of any Corps Commission YO failures. Command tasks and admin on top of phys...that's cool and to be respected but to suggest that officers are trained in all respects to a much higher standard is a bit divisive.
However, I should mention that I've come across some inspirational bootnecks who were officers but the percentage wasn't any greater than amongst other ranks. All I'm trying to say is that the demarcation isn't as clear as the 'hierarchy' would have us believe and also that the self serving distance and arrogance that a fair few officers show towards their fellow bootnecks doesn't really help the team.
Per Flank, Per Tank
As to officers, well a few are fantastic, some are good, some average,
some sadly are poor and a few bloody awful. With the latter category
it is not so much that they do not know their job it is because they are
too damned arrogant and do not respect their men. It is the Marines
who make the Corps and the inimitable seniors who support, succour
and nurture the good YOs'. A sensible YO will always ask and seek guidance
from the seniors and since the Corps is a family the advice will be given freely
and both earn respect in the process. Seniors certainly don't want incompetent
officers.
I was astounded by a King's Badge man (now a good friend) when he
told me how I was rated by the Marines who served with me. But that
is a private matter and only Foxtrot Golf knows about that written item
of unsolicited correspondence sent to me some thirty years on. That
in itself, is a testimony to shared comradeship both in hard and good times.
Officers are not young Gods ! They are saluted since they represent the
sovereign. At a later date they may be saluted as well as a mark of respect.
This has to be earned. Also officers should return salutes smartly and not
in a slack, diffident or casual manner. Several recruits will have similar educational
qualifications so do not believe the fallacy that all the officers are omnipotent.
Some recruits will be physically stronger than the YOs' and vice versa.
CTCRM is great leveller for all who stay the course irrespective of rank.
Gentlemen when you join the Corps you will ascertain these facts for
yourselves and in these troubled times the reputation of the Corps needs
to be enhanced whenever possible. Remember you will be striving to become
a member of the finest Corps in the world.
Chas.
some sadly are poor and a few bloody awful. With the latter category
it is not so much that they do not know their job it is because they are
too damned arrogant and do not respect their men. It is the Marines
who make the Corps and the inimitable seniors who support, succour
and nurture the good YOs'. A sensible YO will always ask and seek guidance
from the seniors and since the Corps is a family the advice will be given freely
and both earn respect in the process. Seniors certainly don't want incompetent
officers.
I was astounded by a King's Badge man (now a good friend) when he
told me how I was rated by the Marines who served with me. But that
is a private matter and only Foxtrot Golf knows about that written item
of unsolicited correspondence sent to me some thirty years on. That
in itself, is a testimony to shared comradeship both in hard and good times.
Officers are not young Gods ! They are saluted since they represent the
sovereign. At a later date they may be saluted as well as a mark of respect.
This has to be earned. Also officers should return salutes smartly and not
in a slack, diffident or casual manner. Several recruits will have similar educational
qualifications so do not believe the fallacy that all the officers are omnipotent.
Some recruits will be physically stronger than the YOs' and vice versa.
CTCRM is great leveller for all who stay the course irrespective of rank.
Gentlemen when you join the Corps you will ascertain these facts for
yourselves and in these troubled times the reputation of the Corps needs
to be enhanced whenever possible. Remember you will be striving to become
a member of the finest Corps in the world.
Chas.
RM., Colonial Police & Queen's Regt HSF.
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Dangermouse
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Yikes
Message to snipes...."See those two white discs and that white grid?...anywhere in the middle of that lot will do" -
davidemmerson
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Once again a pretty good epsiode, only it is frustrating to know it could be so much better. I don't mind seeing them go across to the D-Day beaches, following 11 troop in Afganhistan (sic?) and watching 924 troop (which remember, is what the all programme is about). I didn't even mind seeing a few minuets about how Hunter Coy. worked and what they did etc.
But that is all crammed into what, 20 mins at the most? The other 10 is Terry John, Terry John talking about the weather, Terry John's injury and Terry John back in St Vincent. I know it's not personally his fault but, to be honest, he became boring very quickly.
Personally I wish they could have followed an YO troop and an AACC too, paralleling with 924 troop, finishing with an episode showing those who had completed the above courses in Afganhistan or wherever the Corps had sent them.
Rant over. But only until next time.
But that is all crammed into what, 20 mins at the most? The other 10 is Terry John, Terry John talking about the weather, Terry John's injury and Terry John back in St Vincent. I know it's not personally his fault but, to be honest, he became boring very quickly.
Personally I wish they could have followed an YO troop and an AACC too, paralleling with 924 troop, finishing with an episode showing those who had completed the above courses in Afganhistan or wherever the Corps had sent them.
Rant over. But only until next time.
