Somethin that has put me off joining the military in general

[day tripper]

Not to mention some regiments in the last gulf war were only issued with 1 mag. That's 30 bullets to last you a battle?

[sneaky beaky]

Can someone please tell me why a Sgt. encased in a tank should need body armour?
I also remember, whilst serving in the States, being asked by the USMC to advise them about Arctic Warfare - especially what kit they should have.
I did my best - but I bet you that they went to Norway wearing Jungle Greens and learnt the hard way. You see, nothing changes - no matter which Armed Forces you are in.
I have to agree that the Yanks are better than most, equipment wise - but it still takes a little time for the knowledge to sink in to the upper echelons!!
Sneaky Beaky

[day tripper]

What if your tank breaksdown within enemy territory and you have to make a run for it tbhrough a battle zone? I think that's a good enough reason for having bodyarmour.

[anglo-saxon]

Oh good grief!

[anglo-saxon]

The only reason a tank would be in "enemy territory" is if it is either part of an attack, or is part of a reconnaissance regiment.

In either case, unless the situation is deemed too dangerous, the crew stays with it until the recovery or maintenance team arrive. Crews tend not to leg it as you described. They would proved less than popular having left an otherwise serviceable $5million tank in situ, especially when said tank can either be repaired in place, or recovered to the rear for repair.

Don't forget that in this tank's squadron alone there are 19 MBT's, with 78 in the regiment. Each squadron has its own A1 echelon following up a tactical bound behind the business end, so there is plenty of opportunity for both the crew and the tank to be recovered.

If you can find space in an MBT for three or four flack jackets, your a better man than any of the crew operating it. Finally, even if they had flack jackets, would they put them on before or after they got out through the hatches?

[Tab]

Well all I can say if you are not sure don't join, as a National Serviceman all we had to keep out bullets was a shirt encrusted in dirt. Our weapons were the old .303 rifles and we were fighting people armed with AK47's.
The British Army nevers changes, it is always years behind every one else.

[old scaly back]

Why is the British Army the best in the world.
Because we dont need fancy gadgets to fight a war.
There is much to be said for modern technology,but let us not forget the basics.
To much reliance on G.P.S.,body armour,fancy rat packs makes for a false sense of security.
When that rounds got your name on it,there is nothing you can do.
Body armour or not.

[Sticky Blue]

When that rounds got your name on it,there is nothing you can do.

What about if you find it and hide it? A rubber?
GPS is great... until it goes wrong and if you don't know how to use a compass you are stuffed!

[old scaly back]

Sticky,
Id hide if my name was Obliginstyvicianatily branchywithersponarama.

Or i would change my name by deedpole to A,sorry that would be a

[Sticky Blue]

Obliginstyvicianatily branchywithersponarama.

Thats easy for you to say
GPRS must be the most easily broken piece of kit in the world and some are so reliant upon it. At least with a compass you can be lost

[old scaly back]

My dad laughs when he heres the young squadies complaining about kit.
He showed me a picture of himself in the desert in 1942.
A pair of shorts and a Woodbine( a fag to the younger types )That was his kit.He used a gas mask to re use water( pour the dirty water through the gas mask)Cooked in cut up jerry cans(so every thing tasted of petrol).
Barterd(spelling)with Arabs, swopping fags for eggs.


Some tossers ripped his door mirror off his car the other night.(he is 83).
For the first time,i heard him say"what can you do,i just let it go over my head now.
HE DIDNT SAY THAT IN 1940 DID HE.
Thats the thanks he gets for fighting for this Country.
Well,you know what i mean.

Sorry for going off thread,just had to get it off my chest.

[Mr Grimsdale]

HE DIDNT SAY THAT IN 1940 DID HE.
Thats the thanks he gets for fighting for this Country.
Well,you know what i mean.

Sorry for going off thread,just had to get it off my chest.

tell him there's a few of us youngsters who still do look up to his generation and will tell our kids to do the same

[Pilgrim Norway]

If in doubt - stick to Robo Cop, Lara Croft and Playstation -

The 'others' will do the job for you - despite everything mafish -

Come to think of it my oppos reminded me of Pacman - zipping around taking bites out of everything........

How many of us remember mates like the fat scotsman in the
Austin Powers film ? -

" I've got a beautiful boddy" " Giz yer baby then"
"Yez can keep the money if yez gi iz the little fella"

'Ave a Appy Friday then

[cglees]

What if your tank breaksdown within enemy territory and you have to make a run for it tbhrough a battle zone? I think that's a good enough reason for having bodyarmour.

If i had to 'make a run for it through a battle zone' the first thing i would do is ditch the cba with balistic plates as it is heavy a f8ck and your still screwed if you get hit anywhere other than the torso.
The cba we get issued is not bullet proof anyway so thats no reason for not wanting to join. And ive been told by several people, one of who was there in the thick of it with 40 that Royal Marines generaly didn't go with out kit. If necessary it was stolen, but they had everything they needed. 'we did not want anything we couldn't have'

[El Prez]

The only reason a tank would be in "enemy territory" is if it is either part of an attack, or is part of a reconnaissance regiment

If a tank is in a patch of dirt, then it's his dirt. They are huge, noisy and driven by dipsticks. Once it's there the territory isn't belonging to anybody but the tank.

Apache anybody? Don't mind if I do!