Serious question

[will996]

Afternoon gents,

I have a question that I have been considering for a while now. I am in the process of applying to the Royal Marines and have been thinking carefully about the chances of getting seriously wounded or killed. Just what is the reality of Afghan? This is obviously a very difficult question to answer as many say luck (or bad luck) is the reason for a soldier getting killed in action. However, what do you guys think the chances of getting killed or badly wounded in Afghan are? The news only shows so much.

Before you all say dont join if you are worried about the danger, I accept that it could happen and i am applying with that in mind. I wonder if anyone else thinks about this issue and are not so 'gung ho' as to ignore it?

Any thoughts?

Cheers

[spiderbloke]

I'm not in the forces but I'll say this.

Death happens people die everyday over here through all sorts of things.

You can be walking along and get ran over or can be killed in a car crash, everything in life is a risk but it's a risk you have to take otherwise life wouldn't be worth living.

Same goes for the forces if you want to be a marine go for it, it's a risk yes but if it what you want to do then it's a risk worth taking.

[Ali3]

My uncle served 19years as an RM officer with 4 tours of N Ireland during the seventies and he says the training you go through, the people you meet with the shared same dream as he says are the best on the planet. This means that you can more than cope with what life throws at you in the corps.

I was starting to feel what you felt a year ago or so, but being in the RMR has given me a huge insight and im with guys who share my ambitions and beliefs not just about the marines but life in general.

[Shrek The Royal]

It realy is down to luck fella, being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I have had a lot of near miss's in Afghgan, had I been stood a few meters further, left or right I wouldnt be here today, thats from small arms ,mortars, 107 rockets and RPG's. Bieng in hostile environment will certainly increase your chances but i will tell you this. You have never lived untill you have nearly died ! Thats what we join up for, we want to live on the edge and live for the moment, nobody wants to die or kill any body thats obvious, its just an ocupational hazard we have to deal with.

[will996]

Fair point Shrek, nicely put. Thanks