Joining the Paras as an officer

[ca85]

Hi people,

I was just wondering whether anyone here was commissioned into the regiment from RMAS? Also, what are peoples experiences of newly commissioned officers fresh from the factory? I am due to be in the September 07 intake for RMAS, and so i am starting to think about what regiments i might like to be commissioned into

Cheers in advance

[Tab]

Not only do you have to get your commission you have to pass the P Course as well, and the only difference between you and the men on the P Course is that some of the instructors just might call you sir, but don't count on it.

[goldie ex rmp]

A good new officer will be the one who is sat down listening to what his Plt Sgt is telling him before he makes a decision

http://www.justgiving.com/Sean-Gouldburn

[ca85]

Not only do you have to get your commission you have to pass the P Course as well, and the only difference between you and the men on the P Course is that some of the instructors just might call you sir, but don't count on it.

Yes, i am fully aware of the above. I didn't expect to wing up to P Coy and be treated any differently, because at least in the eyes of the Paras you are starting again.

Have you had favourable experiences with young officers Tab?

Cheers for the reply.

[ca85]

A good new officer will be the one who is sat down listening to what his Plt Sgt is telling him before he makes a decision

http://www.justgiving.com/Sean-Gouldburn

Agreed

[Tab]

Ca85......Our officers were great and we were on first name terms with them all. Our Company Commander left and went into politics and became Sir James, former minister of Defence, Our platoon officer went of and joined the Australian Army and became the most decorated Australian soldier since the end of WW2 while he served in Vietnam and became a full Colonel and ran their staff college for years. Another one of our officers went to Canada and commanded one of their Tank Regiments and also wound up running the Canadian staff college. A few months back I was at No1 Parachute Training School and I asked a Soldier the name of the Officer that I had been talking to and he replied thats Jack, so I asked again if he knew his surname now he looked a bit puzzled and said we have only ever called him Jack. Does this answer your question

[ca85]

Thanks for your insight Tab.

[Paratrooper01]

Reference to new Orrifissers...

Crows!

Useless, but with time and experience they get better. Just dont try to be like the blokes, its one thing i hate about officers if they try to act like the rest of the blokes. Also, leave the shouting and swearing to your platoon sgt and sgt major, your an officer not an NCO.

Anyhow, good luck with it. i hear the competition is quite tight. dont worry about p-company its not too bad.

[neil1955]

I remember collecting 3 new young subltans from the depot where the Regt Col and the RSM one Nobby Arnold had just given them an orientation talk, RSM says cpl F***** take them away I say to young sirs land rover over there and off they go leaving all thier gear on the floor,I get in drivers seat young sir says what about our kit I say well unless its making its own way i'd say you've left it behind its your kit not mine,young sir is about to get shirty when Nobby asks what the problem I explain that young sirs seem to think that a cpl is a valet to carry thier kit RSM takes them off for another talk......

[got1]

neil1955, I remember "Nobby" trying to throw an RAF officer into the nick for walking over "his" square.

[neil1955]

He was a giant among men spent his last years in retirment working hard for various charitys RIP Nobby the soldiers soldier...
On a brighter note on arriving at Batt I took said subbies to thier new companys and listened in to the briefings by thier new co commanders.
You will not speak directly to the men unless you have cleared it with your plt sgt first if he's not availlable the senior cpl if he's not around SAY NOTHING.... This will be reviewed in due corse, it's harder to get your foot out of your mouth than not to put it there in the first place.....Do things right and they will work for you get it wrong and they will eat you alive...........

[got1]

I was acting Pl Sgt in Aden 67.
We got a new Pl Com his name was Dave Purley, motor racing fanatics have a look. He came to me one night and asked why none of the toms would speak to him (this was after 2weeks ).I told him he would have to "earn it".
He did.
Great bloke , got to know well.
There are good officer's and not so good officer's, the same can be said for whisky.

[neil1955]

Respect is earned not given.

[Tab]

I remember Nobby throwing a bloke in the cells for having a spider on his bed. He charged with keeping livestock with out permission

[Paratrooper01]

wish it was the same today, officers not talking directly to the blokes unless the pl sgt clears it. Officers trying to act like the blokes....hate it.

Read some stories about RSM Nobby Arnold...sounded like he was a top bloke. 3 paras RSM is also a real soldiers soldier, less of a barrack bullshit type, more of in the field and fitness type.