The british soldier

may18 · Post by **may18** » Fri 11 Apr, 2003 12:32 am

Hi

Many around the world consider the british forces to be amongst the best man for man in the world. Recent history backs up that claim as well.

I was just wondering, why do you think they are?.

Is training throughout NATO different for each country?. Is it experience because they have a warlike past?. Or is it something undefinable.

If it is training, how do we differ from other countries in europe?.

Thanks

May

Peds · Post by **Peds** » Fri 11 Apr, 2003 12:39 am

they have a certain dedication, a feel that its what they should do.

im just explaining what -I- think it is, and unfortunately i have had no military service yet. any of you serving or ex guys and gals, what makes you do it? why are you the best?

(sorry if im a little philosophical/philistanical tonite, im celebrating the break up of college for easter) :drinking:

Andy O'Pray · Post by **Andy O'Pray** » Fri 11 Apr, 2003 5:08 am

Hi May18,

Read the works of Rudyard Kipling, that may answer your question.

Aye - Andy.

El Prez · Post by **El Prez** » Fri 11 Apr, 2003 9:12 am

SOLDIER AN' SAILOR TOO" Rudyard Kipling (referring to Her majesties Corp of Royal Marines)

As I was spittin' into the Ditch aboard o' the ~Crocodile~,
I seed a man on a man-o'-war got up in the Reg'lars' style.
'E was scrapin' the paint from off of 'er plates,
an' I sez to 'im, "'Oo are you?"
Sez 'e, "I'm a Jolly -- 'Er Majesty's Jolly -- soldier an' sailor too!"
Now 'is work begins by Gawd knows when, and 'is work is never through;
'E isn't one o' the reg'lar Line, nor 'e isn't one of the crew.
'E's a kind of a giddy harumfrodite -- soldier an' sailor too!

An' after I met 'im all over the world, a-doin' all kinds of things,
Like landin' 'isself with a Gatlin' gun to talk to them 'eathen kings;
'E sleeps in an 'ammick instead of a cot,
an' 'e drills with the deck on a slew,
An' 'e sweats like a Jolly -- 'Er Majesty's Jolly -- soldier an' sailor too!
For there isn't a job on the top o' the earth the beggar don't know, nor do --
You can leave 'im at night on a bald man's 'ead, to paddle 'is own canoe --
'E's a sort of a bloomin' cosmopolouse -- soldier an' sailor too.

We've fought 'em in trooper, we've fought 'em in dock,
and drunk with 'em in betweens,
When they called us the seasick scull'ry-maids,
an' we called 'em the Ass Marines;
But, when we was down for a double fatigue, from Woolwich to Bernardmyo,
We sent for the Jollies -- 'Er Majesty's Jollies -- soldier an' sailor too!
They think for 'emselves, an' they steal for 'emselves,
and they never ask what's to do,
But they're camped an' fed an' they're up an' fed before our bugle's blew.
Ho! they ain't no limpin' procrastitutes -- soldier an' sailor too.

You may say we are fond of an 'arness-cut, or 'ootin' in barrick-yards,
Or startin' a Board School mutiny along o' the Onion Guards;
But once in a while we can finish in style for the ends of the earth to view,
The same as the Jollies -- 'Er Majesty's Jollies -- soldier an' sailor too!
They come of our lot, they was brothers to us;
they was beggars we'd met an' knew;
Yes, barrin' an inch in the chest an' the arm, they was doubles o' me an' you;
For they weren't no special chrysanthemums -- soldier an' sailor too!

To take your chance in the thick of a rush, with firing all about,
Is nothing so bad when you've cover to 'and, an' leave an' likin' to shout;
But to stand an' be still to the ~Birken'ead~ drill
is a damn tough bullet to chew,
An' they done it, the Jollies -- 'Er Majesty's Jollies --
soldier an' sailor too!
Their work was done when it 'adn't begun; they was younger nor me an' you;
Their choice it was plain between drownin' in 'eaps
an' bein' mopped by the screw,
So they stood an' was still to the ~Birken'ead~ drill, soldier an' sailor too!

We're most of us liars, we're 'arf of us thieves,
an' the rest are as rank as can be,
But once in a while we can finish in style
(which I 'ope it won't 'appen to me).
But it makes you think better o' you an' your friends,
an' the work you may 'ave to do,
When you think o' the sinkin' ~Victorier~'s Jollies -- soldier an' sailor too!
Now there isn't no room for to say ye don't know --
they 'ave proved it plain and true --
That whether it's Widow, or whether it's ship, Victorier's work is to do,
An' they done it, the Jollies -- 'Er Majesty's Jollies --
soldier an' sailor too!

That's us.

USARMY_ · Post by **USARMY_** » Fri 11 Apr, 2003 4:19 pm

If you wanted to look at the individual regular troop you could make an argument that the British or Israeli troop is trained better than most countries.

The reason I believe this to be is, UK and Israel have small populations and a limited amount of resources. So by necessity and luxury they can afford to invest more in each troop.

However this is a moot point, because either country wouldn't stand a chance against the ever-present United States of America.

AndyT · Post by **AndyT** » Fri 11 Apr, 2003 6:01 pm

I know a lot of old soldiers who have said that German soldiers were the best in the World.....and it was just their leadership that let them down.

I still think the best are British and Israeli.

USARMY_ · Post by **USARMY_** » Fri 11 Apr, 2003 7:20 pm

"only have to look into recent history ie a couple of weeks ago to see that they needed us to back them up"

Those damn US Marines, always showing their Arse!!!!!!!!

We'll thanks for the help.

Skiffle · Post by **Skiffle** » Fri 11 Apr, 2003 8:00 pm

Your not refering to the same help given to our marines when you decided it would be more tacticle to withdraw and leave are men to it????

URL refers- www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,5944-630800,00.html

USARMY_ · Post by **USARMY_** » Fri 11 Apr, 2003 8:44 pm

Skiffle, I'm not referring to anything, I quoted lozhop, read above,then complained about US Marines, what's the problem? Oh ya, I didn't decide anything.

jonboy, I have no idea what any of that means.

El Prez · Post by **El Prez** » Fri 11 Apr, 2003 9:00 pm

Long ago in history there was an occasion in Afghanistan when 45 Commando relieved the US Mountain Div, because they couldn't hack it. Or has time dulled my memory, seems like only yesterday at times.

Sticky Blue · Post by **Sticky Blue** » Fri 11 Apr, 2003 9:24 pm

Those damn US Marines, always showing their Arse!!!!!!!!

You never find Royal doing this do you...

"Altogether now 1, 2, 3, 4 Get em down you zulu warrior, get em down you zulu chief chief chief chief..."

jonboy · Post by **jonboy** » Fri 11 Apr, 2003 10:27 pm

I agree with USARMY up to a point, yes i think we have the best soldiers in the world, along with Israel, but this is not just to do with investment but beacuse of things we have learnt from the past, beacuse if Britain is not involved in a war, their peacekeeping.
Indeed the US is a superpower, but dont get cocky.

Remember "with pride comes humility, but with humility comes wisdom".

TheCount · Post by **TheCount** » Fri 11 Apr, 2003 11:04 pm

I would not put our soldiers on a level with Israel, for one our soldiers do not open up fire on rock wielding civilians.

The biggest difference, In my opinion, is that the British in general have a good sense of humour and are Intelligent enough to not see everything in black & white.

DelD · Post by **DelD** » Sat 12 Apr, 2003 12:23 am

Try to view rocks as the mortars of the geologic forces.

TheCount · Post by **TheCount** » Sat 12 Apr, 2003 1:03 am

Or water balloons as the Daisy Cutters of the hydrologic world

Home | About Us | Articles | Forums | Shop | Reviews | Search | Contact Us | Advertise With Us

Our Journey Comes to an End! Please read our latest Announcement: https://www.militaryforums.co.uk/military-forums-closure.php

Share This Page: