Ruperts

[BenChug]

Don't forget discipline, you are a reservist correct?

So odds are you probably know a 2nd Lt who was until recently either another private, or junior to you. Maybe your friend or not but if you know the guy your alot more likely to be "bugger off, when he comes wandering around with something to do for the sake of doing. You can but officers are supposed to be a mighty and terrible thing especially above the rank of captain.

[CanadianHighlandFusilier]

Discipline effects this how?

What is discipline but another word for professionalism in our occupation?

I have failed to see familiarity between troops and officers see a breakdown in discipline.

[BenChug]

I never said don't go out and get drunk with them however, it isn't a good idea. NCO are there with you officer it isn't there blood your lying in, for the most part, it can lead to problems though. The difference is much larger in England because there is still a definate class system present there. It mostly originates form way back when, the time of "Yore" and such when the men and the officers didn't talk except for during orders and yessir.

[CanadianHighlandFusilier]

No offence, dude. But that made no sense to me.

[barryc]

Looks like you will have to agree to differ. I think you will find that the vast majority of those of us who served some time as regulars basically agree with the system. It has it's faults, some of them biggies but the British Armed forces are still amongst the best in the World, so the system obviously is well tried and tested. I have known some real idiots officers and also some others, who would occasionally have a drink with you, but maintained a distance. If they were good at their job they earned respect. Sometimes it is the ones who know they can't hack it who try to get over-friendly so that the boys will forgive them their lack of ability.

There is a notable difference in the attitude between the regulars and the reserve forces.


Barry

[CanadianHighlandFusilier]

I agree with most of your post, except that an idiot will get noticed in our profession and anyone with half a brain would not trust him to do his job well, even if he may be a friend.

Kinda like you may drink with a buddy, but if your buddy isn't a doctor, you don't let him do a surgery on you. For sake of self preservation.

[mercury]

So odds are you probably know a 2nd Lt who was until recently either another private, or junior to you.

Usually in the TA, or reserves or whatever we are called these days, it is fairly easy to spot those who will be singled out for a commision. Its the intelligent student doing an engineering degree , the switched on cookie who knows how to play the game . We've got one at my TAC and he's spot on.

But we will break him ....oh yes we will

[spike]

1976.............re;Mark Phillips first cousin. Officer in Queens Dragoon Guards. I was in regimental police, due to leave the forces. QDG's were in Ulster, but sharing the kaserne(Belsen). Said chap was inspecting the guard.

I invited him to the ranks bar. He turns up........crate of beer over shoulder, and 100 DM behind the bar and says....when that has run out......give me a shout ! Beers all round.

That is the nearest to royalty I have known. I was in the queue in the local Kreisparkasse just behind Mark Phillips once

[The Cheat]

Is it realy as bad as all that? Im doing the TA for 4 years then im going to get my comision in the Regs. My dad was a booty (slightly upset about my branch of the services) so i've heard plenty from him about army ruperts he met.. He did an exchange w/ the PWRR... I definatly don't see myself as posh or any thing, i went to a grammar school and i smash my peas onto my fork, but will i still be seen as a rupert?

[Maroon]

A Rupert is a Rupert, some good some bad, same as NCO's Snr or Jnr you'll still get a degree of tossers at every rank.

Most Platoon Comanders were known as 'Boss' when I was in and 90% were good at A: Their job and B: Knowing where to draw the line.

Support Company, every swinging dick was on first name/nick name terms other than the 'Boss.'

Every Plt Cmdr I worked with went on piss with the lads occasionally (Plt/Coy piss ups) and some times in to the town with them as well.....

[The Cheat]

Cheers Maroon... I was under the impresion that only the crappy officers were called ruperts... or did i just totaly miss the point of what u said? lol

[Maroon]

Not at all young fella, a Rupert is a Rupert, never heard the term Herbert when refering to an officer

If you've got the education, common sense and want to go for it then do it, more responsibility and more prospects.

Basically if you look at in civvy terms you are middle management, you'll learn (hopefully) both ends of the scale and remember it, and if you're any good you'll go far, if you're shite, you will not last long.

I will agree with an earlier post about the Guard Div. All fcuking born in to it as 'Fathers fathers, fathers, uncle Willie was a Grenidier don't you know, served in the Crimean' WELL WIPE MY ARSE WITH A MELON, WHOOPEY EFFING DO.....Still have bloody Battmen, tossers!!! (sorry, rant over)

[Tab]

We addressed our officers by their christian names all time except when we were on parade. I have drunk beer with them in the officers mess and they have shared a jug or two with us in many a funny place. When I was down at Dover the other year the young officers were in tha NAFFI putting it back with lads and they were all on christian name terms. As always it is a case of knowing just where you draw the line.

[ABBA]

This is something that pisses me off big time, most folk but not all believe that Officers are stuck up twats from public schools and captain of the polo team.

I can only speak for the TA but I have been on both sides of the rank divide, when I joined and did all my basic I was a bog standard Signaller and I can honestly say I've never had a better time in my life. I'm used to being in a team with sports etc but the times I've had with my unit have been second to none. Around half of the unit are ex-regs mainly from the Infantry and Signals and a lot of them have had Officers they hated cause they followed the stereotype but the odd one who they got on with as mate and respected aswell as being willing to follow them anywhere.

I am now an OCdt and strive to be one of the above. I agree that most of the Household Guards/Cav are utter twats but thats always gonna be like that.

I myself am from a middle class family, went to a state school and am going to a less than great University and could not be further from the typical Officer.

Too be honest most of the Officers in my unit are nothing like me, I would much rather be in the JR's mess with the guys, only being 18 I still consider myself one of the guys and I hope they see it the same.

Yes there has to be a professional gap between an Officer and his soldiers but at the same time they all need to get along and be happy in one another's company.

I've kinda strayed from the point here and lost myself by going round in circles but who cares. Anyway the jist of the post is not all of us are stuck up twats, I loved my state school, I respect each and every one of my guys and I ****ing hate polo.

[Sticky Blue]

and could not be further from the typical Officer.

Eh? You don't mean... nah, surely not... I'd better say it... you mean, you can read a map?
Any officer in the army is a Rupert and by Rupert I mean it as an affectionate nickname.

I have served with good and bad officers. Some are so pompus, arrogant, or ignorant and far up their own, or senior officers, ar$es they can brush their teeth from the inside. Others have been too laddish and matey for their own good and the good of their lads. The majority know where the boundaries are and stay within them, are hard working and know what they are doing and do a bloody good job. Here endeth the lesson