Royal Green Jackets

Jim T · Post by **Jim T** » Tue 23 Sep, 2003 10:23 am

Yes, it was 16 years ago! Hopefully things have changed. However the ethos of a Regiment is passed onto those who join by the so called 'old sweats'. I went back to CTCRM last year, having left the Royal Marines in 1990. What did I see and experience? = The same Corps I had served in and left 12 years previously! The kit may have changed but the ethos is the same!

Shortly before leaving the Corps I spent some time as a careers advisor in a RN/RM & Army Careers Office. One of the Army Sgts there was RGJ. This guy could hardly string a sentance together, and took pride in the fact that he was part of 'The Black Mafia'. This was some kind of secret gang within the RGJ, who dealt out beatings to new recruits and 'others' who were not in favour! Any potential Army recruit who walked through the door was automaticaly steered towards the RGJ, no matter what their test score or preferance!

Now don't take get me wrong, I am not anti Army! I run my own business any will only employ personel who are ex military. Whilst I will admit to being biased towards ex Booties, I have ex RE, ex RA, ex 22 Reg and (although it hurts to say) am currently taking on 2 ex Para's!

All I am saying is look at all your options (including RAF Reg?) before joining a Regiment that has been pushed by the Careers Office staff. If you join the wrong one your career may be counted in months rather than years.

Jim T

Jason The Argonaut · Post by **Jason The Argonaut** » Tue 23 Sep, 2003 1:46 pm

Jim T once again thank you for you input

One of the Army Sgts there was RGJ. This guy could hardly string a sentance together, and took pride in the fact that he was part of 'The Black Mafia'. This was some kind of secret gang within the RGJ, who dealt out beatings to new recruits and 'others'

Well if I do decide to join the Royal Green Jackets, I hope I don't meat any w@#k like that, because I wont take not shit from nobody. (Unless their really really big)

.

But as you said Jim T, I will think very hard on what regiment I choose to join, RGJ or RM.

AdamC · Post by **AdamC** » Tue 23 Sep, 2003 2:05 pm

When i decided to join the Army, i went on down to the AFCO with the intention to join the RGJ, and there happened to be a Colour Sgt from the RGJ there running the Army section, when he asked me what Regt. i had in mind i said the RGJ, of course he asked me why and i told him. Even though he was a little blunt with people i was niether pushed or pursuded to sign up to the RGJ, and they even gave me other Regts to consider but there was even another soldier with 4 years in the RGJ and he talked to me, and it all sounded very good.

Adam

soldierandy · Post by **soldierandy** » Wed 24 Sep, 2003 8:14 am

I am a new member to the forum and was surprised to see a whole topic dedicated to my former regular and current TA regiment!

To put somethings straight for you lads and Jimmy T that has an issue here it goes:
1. the 'Black Mafia' is a collective term for the whole RGJ stemming from the fact that the officers high up in MOD getting senior positions a bit like Paras and Guards have a bit of a stake with the SAS. The term refers to the black buttons on the no.2s - dress uniforms of officers.
2. w@#k exist in abundance in the whole armed forces whatever cap badge as well as bloody good blokes. Because we meet one in another regiment other than ours doesn't mean that the whole regiment is bad.
3. Training follows a common syllabus in the whole British Army and the differences are only in Infantry, Para, Marines and what they call All Arms courses. Whatever infantry regiment you join expect to undergo similar training and hardship.
4. All regiments are intensely proud of their capbadge and will dig through their history and traditions to find their uniqueness and standards to live up to. That is what keeps the British Army so strong. Squabbling and fighting is a barrack room fact as well as street and pub fighting for all squaddies with a bit more in infantry because of their more aggressive training. As far as I know the tankies have a reputation for being well behaved comparatively.
5. RM and Paras have a bit of an issue with us though. The former because we have their beret colour and the naval crown, and the latter that we were airborne (glider troops) in WW2 and captured Pegasus Bridge.
6. Jackets have a reputation for slackness but thank God for that as personally I think officers are closer to the troops in RGJ and have done away with the different messes. I would hate to be in Guards and polish everything and make tea for the posh ruperts.

roger..

Jason The Argonaut · Post by **Jason The Argonaut** » Wed 24 Sep, 2003 1:16 pm

Alright soldierandy, can you tell me about your time and experience with the RGJ's? I have a mate who has joined the RGJ he's been in the regiment for about year he seem's to like it.

I'm trying to get an idea of the regiment before I jump head first in, cheers.

soldierandy · Post by **soldierandy** » Wed 24 Sep, 2003 8:15 pm

Well my experiences are similar to any other soldier in the British Army. You join, learn some things, experience up and downs and take it all with a good sense of humour! I have done tours in all the various places you will find the army and some that you might not! I am intensely proud of the Green Jacket heritage and in my old age now I frown upon behaviour that discrases the regiment, the army and the nation as a whole. But boys will be boys!

Are you looking to join regular or TA RGJ?

AdamC · Post by **AdamC** » Thu 25 Sep, 2003 1:40 pm

i've signed up to join the RGJ andy

Jason The Argonaut · Post by **Jason The Argonaut** » Thu 25 Sep, 2003 1:40 pm

soldierandy, I had my heart set on joining the RM and I still might, but lately I have had more options to look at. Like joining the RGJ or joining my local TA reigment wich is Royal Signal's, the nearest TA infantry reigment near me is a number of miles away, so if I did join the TA it would be my local one.

So at the moment a I am in limbo, but I know I have to make my mind up soon.

soldierandy · Post by **soldierandy** » Thu 25 Sep, 2003 3:20 pm

Well done adam, all the best!
Jason, there is quite a difference between joining RM and the TA Signals! Make up your mind fast! Are you talking about regular marines or reserves? Whichever the case I suspect they take different approaches to fitness and to soldiering in general.

Jason The Argonaut · Post by **Jason The Argonaut** » Thu 25 Sep, 2003 4:09 pm

Are you talking about regular marines or reserves?

Regular RM, I have my reasons's that I wont get into about joining the TA. But I have been training for the RM so which ever I choose I will be ready for it.

soldierandy · Post by **soldierandy** » Thu 25 Sep, 2003 4:49 pm

Well you would have to train a bit extra then to join my beloved Green Jackets!

Jason The Argonaut · Post by **Jason The Argonaut** » Thu 25 Sep, 2003 10:25 pm

soldierandy wrote:Well you would have to train a bit extra then to join my beloved Green Jackets!

I have no problem with mate.

COMBAT WOMBAT · Post by **COMBAT WOMBAT** » Sat 27 Sep, 2003 4:42 pm

Jim t, u must have have met a different regiment or summit cause i never met a Jacket who was a rubbish soldier. Yeah, they have a reputation for looking like a bag of shit but that is part of their ethos and don't see having a shiny uniform important in the slightest, so simply don't do it. But get them in the field and they're second to none.
0X

Jim T · Post by **Jim T** » Sat 27 Sep, 2003 6:28 pm

Combat Wombat

My observations have come from Operational experience. Where have yours come from?

Jim T

COMBAT WOMBAT · Post by **COMBAT WOMBAT** » Sun 28 Sep, 2003 8:05 am

From being a Green Jacket cadet and T.A. Soldier, and having met many Green Jackets.

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