HAC

[Crawley Spur]

Hi,
Does anyone know much about the HAC unit ? I am thinking of joining up as it is quite near to where i work.
Any info would be appreciated

[tiger76]

Hi there

Some of the guys that I used to know did their selection and say it is a good crack. They obviously specialise in Artillery forward control but are also tasked with int gathering. Selection is quite tough and I believe they are on SF pay. The PSIs are from 22 SAS as well so you get good instruction. However they are renowned for being quite upper classed and that’s the trooper not to mention the officers.

Cheers

[Crawley Spur]

Thanks for the response, sounds good to me although not to sure about the upper class bit !!
I am going along to one of thier open evenings in August so hopefully that should give me a better idea of what is involved.
What is SF pay by the way ??

[tiger76]

SF pay is Special Forces pay. They defiantly used to get it but I am unsure if this is still the case. Regarding the upper class bit. Don’t let that phase you they are good blokes and ultimately when you are all caked in mud and grime you are all the same.

Cheers

[Viking1]

Hi,

[anglo-saxon]

Back in the 80's I knew a lad from a well-to-do family who had a tripple-barrelled name, which sounded suspiciously like "Huffen-Puffen-Stuff", so that is what he was called. He joined the HAC as a Gunner. They wouldn't take him as an offcier. Evidently, he wasn't quite "well-to-do" enough!

Personally, I can't stand such snobbery. While the unit evidently has certain prestige and glamour, it appears (and always has to me, otherwise I might have been tempted in that direction myself) as a playground for upper class twits wherein to get their jollies on the weekends. I'm glad to say I am rather more down to earth than that.

[tiger76]

I understand the snobbery bit may put some people off but I have worked with them on several occasions and although they spoke with a pingpong ball stuck in their upper lip they were good guys through and through. I know it may put people off but you have to look at their abilities to do their jobs and I have met none that were crap. Don’t forget they also get to do the long range recce bit in Afghanistan which is very Gucci.

[Viking1]

So...what are we all saying here

[Crawley Spur]

Viking,
I have been invited to one of the three evenings in august, i have started doing the fitness prorgamme from the Army website and am into my second week now.
Got to say i am getting a bit put off by the snobbery bit i work in the city but am very much from a workng class background and no degree or such for me.
Will have to see what it is like at one of the evenings i surpose.

[Viking1]

Crawley Spur,


Congrats on getting to week 2 of the online Army fitness prorgamme from the Army website.

[tiger76]

I don’t want to be putting anyone’s nose out of joint here but bias can go both ways. Just like a snob looking down ones nose at the working class those from the working and middle class can be bias against those from “snobbish” backgrounds. Indeed I am from a working classed background. You also have to remember that they have their own unit traditions etc.

All I can say is that the HAC guys I have worked with have been good blokes, there may be idiots but I haven’t come across them. It is best to just get on with the training and make your own assessment.

Regarding other units the only ones that are close to it regarding its role are SBSR and 21. So if you want to have a go at them then they may be worth a look..

[Crawley Spur]

I work near moorgate station but live in Crawley (nr Gatwick). Going to stick to the training programme for the remaining 3 weeks plus do some upper body work as that i am weakest at the moment.
Good luck with your fitness Viking !!

[anglo-saxon]

Clock the unit web site. It goes an on bleadin on about what clubs they have and how nice the grounds are and what sort of people can be associate members and what nice corprate events one can attand in the mess and what nice estates they have in Wales, etc., but it says virtually the square root of fark all (that I could see, anyway) about their actual military side. To me, that speaks volumes.

[Viking1]

good stuff...keep at it.....stick to the CV training and body circuits and put on some boots and a bergan and get some miles in...if i was you mate...

[Hantslad]

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http://www.hac.org.uk/

The HAC are a cross between a TA unit and some sort of City Livery Company/old boys club. The Regiment is steeped in history and full of odd traditions

Fantatsic social life (if you like that sort of things). They have a variety of roles ranging from playing in a band to doing surveillance and target acquisition (STA) patrols. The STA selection is tough and involves lots of weekends in the Brecon Beacons. It has unrivaled sporting opportunities too and a rather nice TA Centre (if you can call it that!)

I met a couple of HAC chaps on a course a while back and they were decent chaps. Is often used as a stepping stone to 21 SAS and I know of at least two people who have done that.

If you want to get called up, there are plenty of chances (a HAC Tpr was killed in Afghan last year). They support a regular Artillery Battery.

http://www2.army.mod.uk/5regtra/organis ... /index.htm

As everyione else has said, there are pros and cons to every unit. The biggest advantage the TA has over all the others is that it is the biggest, therefore could offer you a broad choice of part time career. That being said, I went from the TA to the RAuxAF and couldn't be happier!

If you are in London, its worth looking at this

http://www.reserve-forces-london.org.uk ... rve06b.htm