What is army life like? I’ve heard stories about bullying by officers and fellow soldiers. I’ve also heard stories about suicides, and alleged murders at Deepcut barracks.
Can you a lot tell me what army life is like please? Is there a lot of bullying and intimidating by officers?
What sort of bullying and intimidating goes on.?
How tough is basic training, is it like lads army?
I know that bullying goes on in every workplace, and I understand that there will be banter and slaggings, but I’m worried about the more serious bullying and intimidating.
I have contacted my AFCO about this, but they just say “bullying will not be tolerated” but he’s hardly going to say “yeah join the army and the chances are you’ll get bullied, if not by officers then by fellow soldiers, and you’ll probably wanna kill yourself”
Thanks guys.
Mercury you better not correct all my grammar mistakes in this post. I’ve had a browse though your previous posts mercury, and your grammar is by no means perfect. 0X
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suicide - bullying - army life.
Before I start I'll just say I'm not in the army, repeat not in the army, but since I've got an opinion and nothing to do I'll throw my 2 pennies in 
Just remember that we're all in the same boat.
Anyway from what I've heard (from a few ex servicemen and that) I would say it depends on who you are. I think what most people think is bullying is really just friendly piss taking and stuff like that but it gets presented by people who don't know as bullying but it's not meant to hurt. All you need is a sense of humour and you'll get through. Having said that there's always going to be a few nobbers but the stories that I've heard on here suggest they don't last too longIs there a lot of bullying and intimidating by officers?
What sort of bullying and intimidating goes on.?
Just remember that we're all in the same boat.
"This far and no further" - Britain, World War 1 & 2
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Worthers Original
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I'd say this is the best time for not being bullied. You would really have to be stupid to try it on given the present climate. Officers will take it seriously if you complain, they just can't afford not to. Of course, what is pi$$ taking to one could be bullying to another. If people behave towards you in a way you are not happy with and you feel bullied then you are and should not hesitate to shop whomever is responsible.
I think the problem is that you have a troop of youngstars and they don't have the confidence to stick up for their own. Bullying is not acceptable and it is you that decides whether it's bullying or not, not the "bully". The majority of training staff are just normal people with a job to do. Yes they'll ride you a little but they wont be out to hurt anyone. If you find someone who is then do not put up with it. There are people you can talk to.
I think the problem is that you have a troop of youngstars and they don't have the confidence to stick up for their own. Bullying is not acceptable and it is you that decides whether it's bullying or not, not the "bully". The majority of training staff are just normal people with a job to do. Yes they'll ride you a little but they wont be out to hurt anyone. If you find someone who is then do not put up with it. There are people you can talk to.
Re: suicide - bullying - army life.
I'm sorry , I seem to have offended you, and I wasn't even trying.Glasgow wrote:
Mercury you better not correct all my grammar mistakes in this post. I’ve had a browse though your previous posts mercury, and your grammar is by no means perfect.
Tssch how will I sleep tonight
"certa cito"
The only people who get bullied are people who can't take a joke and think they are being bullied. If you perform you'll be fine.
Don't confuse someone who is pissed off and pulling rank on you with the kid who stole your lunch money in grade 5.
Don't go out in the field and lose your gerber, bivy bag, field cap, lower receiver etc etc. Especially all on the same excersize
What happens then is your squad mates will correct you after you have been corrected through push ups, beastings and charges.
Don't confuse someone who is pissed off and pulling rank on you with the kid who stole your lunch money in grade 5.
Don't go out in the field and lose your gerber, bivy bag, field cap, lower receiver etc etc. Especially all on the same excersize
What happens then is your squad mates will correct you after you have been corrected through push ups, beastings and charges.
If a man has nothing he is willing to die for then he isn't fit to live.
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anglo-saxon
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I had to do the Harassment Advisor's course. The only reason I went was because I thought I got to advise who got to harass whom. You can imagine my disappointment!
Actually, it was almost vomit-inducing. Run by a female commissar of the urban thought police (Whitey's head would have exploded during the first class - hell of a mess!), we had to show up in civies and call each other by our first names. An absolute crock of crap! She literally was telling us how to think.
At one point I said, "Listen, lady, the Bible states that homosexuality is an abomination punishable by death. Are you going to tell me my religion is wrong now, too?" The problem was that she was making sexuality (among other things) an issue. I personally couldn't give a toss what "sexual orientation" someone is as long as they just keep it to themselves and do their job.
Ah do declare ah reckon she was one o' them devil-worshiping Yankee-lovers, previously mentioned!
(Oh, jeez. Did I say that out loud?)
Actually, it was almost vomit-inducing. Run by a female commissar of the urban thought police (Whitey's head would have exploded during the first class - hell of a mess!), we had to show up in civies and call each other by our first names. An absolute crock of crap! She literally was telling us how to think.
At one point I said, "Listen, lady, the Bible states that homosexuality is an abomination punishable by death. Are you going to tell me my religion is wrong now, too?" The problem was that she was making sexuality (among other things) an issue. I personally couldn't give a toss what "sexual orientation" someone is as long as they just keep it to themselves and do their job.
Ah do declare ah reckon she was one o' them devil-worshiping Yankee-lovers, previously mentioned!
(Oh, jeez. Did I say that out loud?)
There are always bullies in every walk of life, the problem these days is peoples perception of being bullied. Having the mick taken out of you is not being bullied, being beaten up for no reason is. In the forces you are part of a team, for that team to work everybody has to work hard. Some people try for the easy life not working hard and these will end up thinking they are being abused for no reason. At the other end you also do get the thug who is bigger and harder than others(so they think) and will bully anybody he thinks is a suitable target but normally in the forces this is sorted out quickly by either the SNCO's or the lads. The only effective way of standing up to those thugs is to fight them and show they do not scare you, you might not win but you will earn respect from the others who will probably then support you. In 24 years in the Army I only ever came across one thug type bully and can honestly say I did'nt witness any systematic bullying.
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Contractor
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Glasgow, be under no illusions bullying does occur in the Army. The Army is no different from any other organisation. However, it is not tolerated and anybody, regardless of rank, found to have bullied anybody, will be dealt with in the strictest manner - end of career, pension rights, jailed, fined and booted out.
The Army along with the other branches of the Services take bullying very seriously and do their best to stamp it out but it 'aint a perfect world mate.
If you do join and experience (or witness) bullying there is an excellent reporting system to put a stop to it.
The Army along with the other branches of the Services take bullying very seriously and do their best to stamp it out but it 'aint a perfect world mate.
If you do join and experience (or witness) bullying there is an excellent reporting system to put a stop to it.
Thanks for all your replies guys. It's helped put my mind at rest. i was just worried as on the new today it was talking about bullying at deepcut, and the report on the death of 4 soldiers at deepcut comes out today.
mercury says
Yeah you bullied me good and proper you did!
mercury says
I'm sorry , I seem to have offended you, and I wasn't even trying.
Yeah you bullied me good and proper you did!
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josephwells
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Bully boys
Bullies are always weak, they are insecure and feel the need to pick on others whom seem weaker. I am 6 foot 5 and 19 stone and was up until recently bullied because i am English ( I live in Ireland) I am as I said a big lad i am a bit tubby but not fat and I have an easy going nature.
One guy in my office has been giving me a very hard time about brits etc and laughing about various S**tty things at my expense, last week he started on about my children being half bred because my wife is catholic and I am protestant, this became a code red in my eyes as as any father and mother knows your babies are not a subject for any rubbish talk. I asked the guy in question to retract his remark and apologise as I felt it was not pleasant to talk in that way, he laughed, he stopped laughing quite quickly after that......
Violence is not the key but hey, it has its uses most bully boys will back down if they think you are willing to confront them.
One guy in my office has been giving me a very hard time about brits etc and laughing about various S**tty things at my expense, last week he started on about my children being half bred because my wife is catholic and I am protestant, this became a code red in my eyes as as any father and mother knows your babies are not a subject for any rubbish talk. I asked the guy in question to retract his remark and apologise as I felt it was not pleasant to talk in that way, he laughed, he stopped laughing quite quickly after that......
Violence is not the key but hey, it has its uses most bully boys will back down if they think you are willing to confront them.
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Contractor
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Glasgow a bit more info to add to my previous post.
One of my lads is nearing completion of his Phase One training at ATR Pirbright. He witnessed some bullying involving one recruit on another, I won't go into detail, but he reported it and on the same day of reporting it, the matter was resolved. The 'bully' was jailed and fined (probably get booted out as well) and the other kid is eternally grateful to my lad for his actions. All the other recruits are delighted with the way it was handled and I'm rather chuffed to
One of my lads is nearing completion of his Phase One training at ATR Pirbright. He witnessed some bullying involving one recruit on another, I won't go into detail, but he reported it and on the same day of reporting it, the matter was resolved. The 'bully' was jailed and fined (probably get booted out as well) and the other kid is eternally grateful to my lad for his actions. All the other recruits are delighted with the way it was handled and I'm rather chuffed to
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Smiler.wales
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- Location: Newport S Wales
Also remember Deepcut is a media highlight now and is the exception rather than the rule, - I believe something dodgy was going on but dont tar the rest of the forces with that brush.
HOWEVER being in the forces will lead you into circumstances where people are direct,abrubt and with the ability not to mince words. These scenarios usually occur when people are tired , p*ssed off or running off testosterone
The one thing I do like about the forces is that you all work as a team and look after your own regardless of your personal disposition. I remember having to break up a fight which occurred by one of ouur guys being a nobber and then having to help dig him out of the hole he was in. The point is as long as youre trying your best and not acting like a a*rse your mates will look out for you.
HOWEVER being in the forces will lead you into circumstances where people are direct,abrubt and with the ability not to mince words. These scenarios usually occur when people are tired , p*ssed off or running off testosterone
The one thing I do like about the forces is that you all work as a team and look after your own regardless of your personal disposition. I remember having to break up a fight which occurred by one of ouur guys being a nobber and then having to help dig him out of the hole he was in. The point is as long as youre trying your best and not acting like a a*rse your mates will look out for you.
