Random questions.

[voodoo sprout]

Just a couple of thoughts that have popped into my mind recently, so thanks if anyone can offer any help .

1. Personal weapons.
I know all troops have a personal weapon, but what weapon is this? The SA80 is the official Individual Weapon, but does everyone have their own SA80? For example, do those who use the L86, LRLCR, GPMG etc, have an SA80 back at base but just draw from the armoury another weapon when appropriate, or is the specialist weapon their general use personal one? I ask as I was thinking about ship boarding (counter narcotcs etc), and the GPMG seems to be a liability in these environments, so does the bloke just have to put up with it?
And less defined, but what are the rules on additional weapons? I know of a couple of British officers using enemy weapons (pinching an FN FAL in the Falklands for example), and in other militaries troops are allowed to buy their own weapons in addition to their issue one (I'm mainly thinking along the lines of buying your own sidearm). Are Royal Marines/ML's allowed to do this, or even just buy parts for weapons (proper flashlight mounts, spare firing pins for example)?
And I do apologise about all the question marks, if anyone doesn't understand the apove please say so .

2. Extra kit and CTC.
I'll probably be told when I go into training, but during CTC what extra stuff are you allowed to take, other than issue kit? Take a leatherman for example, is it a definite no, are you allowed it for use around the barracks only, or are you allowed to take in training excersizes and the like as well? I'm guessing also a decent pair of pro-boots, or even just an insole, would be very useful if allowed.

3. Acohol, and the consumption of.
Personally I can hardly stand any form of alcohol I've tried, and would rather not start drinking either, even more so considering the health implications. The problem I worry about is that drinking seems to be an integral part of life as an RM, for example looking around the internet it would seem every off duty minute is spent either playing drinking games, or games requiring you being drunk in order to be silly enough to consider playing ("s**t on your oppo" being one that springs to mind ). So would being a non drinker be a problem? I'm worried that it could make integrating with a unit, being part of the team etc, more difficult. Or alternatvely, is there a shady subculture of non drinkers who cower in the corner with a glass of coke where I'd be fine?

[gash-hand]

Voodoo,

I'm no expert on this but:

1. You will get rifted if you even so much as mention the possibility of buying your own weapon. Watch the news and see what happens with illegal firearms. I know you want it for you own use but its just not going to happen. I know of guys that have brought old enemy weapons back from ops but they have either hidden them very well or declared them and had them deactivated by the official authorities - recommended.

2. Teke your extra kit and ask the training team - you'll probably have to use just issued kit until week 22 or so, then they may let you use whatever you've brought - it depends its hard to say - if in doubt ask and don't hide - thrashings hurt!!

3. I would think that after a few weeks at CTC you'll be looking for any opportunity to put the memory of what you are doing out of your mind - i did!!

[voodoo sprout]

Thanks gash-hand, has anyone else got any use(ful/less) info?

[Yorkie Malone]

I don't like alcohol either. So I just pour it down my throat as quickly as I can so as to stop people like you do not have to drink any.

Each weapon has a number, you are issued with"gun" number XXXX and that is YOURS...........if it has a speck of dust/rust etc YOU get it in the neck. Not your oppo...YOU.

A GPMG has a number you may get that..............it's YOURS

Don't know about "extra" kit when I joined we sent all our civvies back home and only had uniform. We got everything, except toothbrush, razor, hairbrush etc. Everthing right down to knicks and vests... and pyjarmas.

On Dartmoor (I did nmy CTC training Nov to March) they gave us two blankets, but one day it got cold so they lent us a spare one. I then went to Aden and they gave me a sleeping bag.

SyY

[Andy O'Pray]

Yorkie, You are getting forgetful in your old age. It got bloody cold first thing in the morning atop those jebels. Admittedly, an hour later it was hot enough to burn a monkey's bum.

Aye - Andy

[Sisyphus]

Voodoo

The answer is 432 or, possibly, the storming of the Bastille. If this makes no sense it's because it's a Random Answer?!????

[voodoo sprout]

Eh, 432?

FOUR THREE TWO??!?!??!

Bloody hell, if I'v got to put up with 432 then sod the RM, I'm joining the post office!

[Ro55]

Each weapon has a number, you are issued with"gun" number XXXX and that is YOURS...........if it has a speck of dust/rust etc YOU get it in the neck. Not your oppo...YOU.

I know the newest recruit in a Coy usually get the LSW / GPMG but what about training? Which Recruit is given the LSW in training? Is it given to a different Recruit after a week or so?

Aye, Ross

[flatlander]

and is the LSW/GPMG guy re-named "mr. Rock 'n Roll"?

[rabby]

back to voodoo's first question

or even just buy parts for weapons (proper flashlight mounts, spare firing pins for example)?

whats the deal with that, since these aren't complete firarms?

[voodoo sprout]

I wasn't sure as I've seen many pictures of troops with stuff taped to the foregrip, while I would have thought that a purpose built attachment (barrel mount perhaps) would be better, so maybe they just weren't allowed?

[TheCount]

Ive read a book called "Inside Delta Force" and a few of the Trainees come equipped with Special Force Golves and the rest before they got recognised, it seems as if they got beat down quite a bit..

[Sticky Blue]

A lot of kit that you buy cannot be used for a couple of reasons:

• It is against health and safety i.e. if you use a civvy roll mat and get a bad back... it is the civvy roll mat that caused it
  Your DS will have vastly differing opinions on certain items of kit: some will hate certain thing and others love them
  DS fads!! One week they allow something, the next they don't... it keeps you on your toes!
  You will be provided with everything to carry out your role: Hexi blocks versus Bluey or Coleman... they might let you use a Bluey in the latter stages of training but first of all you need to know how to use the issued kit because if your Bluey runs out you are only going to be able to use the issued kit. Most lads in units use their own kit but ALL know how to use the issued kit.

Other things like Goretex socks will probably be OK because it will increase your comfort in the field and the DS probably won't be able to see them BUT... always ask

Words of wisdom from my DS over the years...
"It is less painful to ask and get your ears pinned back than not ask and get thrashed"
"If you don't think you'll like the answer... don't ask the question"
"It is better to ask and not need to know the answer than to not ask and need to know the answer"
"If you need to know you'll be told... if you don't need to know you won't be told"
I know a couple contradict each other but apply them to each situation and you will have a happier life I hope...

[Jason The Argonaut]

This might sound stupid but here goes, I wanted to know when you pass and get into the Royal Marines do you join an existing unit or are you put into a new company with new recruits ??

And is it the same for the army ??

If you are put into a new unit, is the Royal Marines getting bigger and bigger every year ?? Or are the number of people joining about the same number of people that are leaving the corps.

[Sticky Blue]

Jason... you move into an existing company, troop and section in the RM. You will be a replacement in that place for someone who has left. Either that or you'll work in the HQ until someone leaves.