Marines and the Navy

[friendlyfireaintfriendly]

What do the Royal Marines think of the navy in general? apart from general banter/piss taking etc. Do any wish they were seperate from the Navy or similar? Whats the general attitude of Royal Marines to the rest of the Navy?

[Greg S]

The Royal Marine Commandos are a corps of the Royal Navy...

They're totally different though from any others, and the officers train at CTCRM just like the regular commandos (none of that Sandhurst stuff).

[Artist]

When in the mob I had more in common with Jolly Jack than Mr Percy Pongo.

The reason being the language/humour/attitude as far as I'm concerned. Jack and Royal can sit in a bar and have a conversation that no body other than Jack or Royal could ever understand in a million years.

My conversations with blokes from the Army were often stilted. Ok I worked with the Army on occasions, but I never felt "At Home" with their attitudes and their language. Their whole mentality was foreign to me to be honest. But thats just me.

The exceptions were the Army lads who were attached to Royal. Over time they adopted our Mindset and nine times out of ten when Promotion beckoned which meant being posted to an ordinary Army unit, they would often move Heaven and Earth to get back with the "Family". Sometimes dropping a rank and dipping out in Pay in order to do this.

Don't get me wrong I have nothing but respect for the various Regts and Corps in the Army who do a job which Royal would never contemplate doing. But thats why I at least joined the Corps. As they say "each to their own"

Artist

[Marina]

I didn't know this until I was at this job fair recently when I saw the Royal Marines and Navy together actually in one booth as I though the Royals were a separate entity.
I met this really nice Royal Marine, I was a bit daunted at first to ask him so many questions but he was very kind and gave me an overview of what they do.
Thats an unusual tradition that you receive your green beret at the edge of Dartmoor ?
Also the Army representatives were very friendly, witty and helpful too, it makes one proud to see what elegant, efficient and professional people serving our Armed Forces.

P.S
What is the role of a gazelle pilot ?
Some RM train to do this

[El Prez]

Ah Marina, long time no see.

Now the gazelle Pilot thing I can help with, only thing is that alcohol will have to be procured, imbibed and absorbed.

Did I ever tell you about the time....................hello Nurse, your back early!!!!!

[harry hackedoff]

Gazelles are long horned African antelopes. Whilst in Africa, Royal would often mount said antelopes in the absence of female company, so I`m told. This was known as "driving" and Rob Parry was so "good" at it, they gave him a set of wings to wear. Often, the animal would run off with Royal still, er "attached" and this became known as "helicoptering" due to all those arms and legs flaying about. Never before admitted, but this is why Rob has a devious looking helicopter as his avatar. It`s the sickest of in-jokes, Marina, and it`s a shame you asked

[El Prez]

Wasn't me....it was a big boy who ran away.

[Marina]

I was just being inquisitive as usual.

So these gazelle pilots fly helicopters .
But, what is the actual function of these pilots in relation to their role in a defensive situation or otherwise within their unit. ? If you get my drift.

P.S
I can see it coming, its going to be El Prez's version of events, with Harry giving an example and Sticky explaining the origins.

[El Prez]

The Gazelle AH1 is the small utility helicopter operated by the Army and RM. It is/was used for training. the aircraft will be withdrawn from service shortly, another well done Tony and Gordon.



This is a recent photo from Iraq. The cab has a weapon sight on the left hand side for the air gunner. Capacity five. Range 3 hours ish, at 135 knots. (2000 yards per nautical mile, 3700metres)
Engine an Astazou 3N spims at 43,700 revs/min at max chat. 3 Rotor blades, 13 blade tail rotor enclosed in a duct called a fenestron.
The weird aerial on the front is used for homing onto SARBE beacons and lost signallers. (Search And Rescue BEacons)
They have been fitted with the ability to fire back for some time. Pity we didn't have that in NI.

Lovely like a Ferrari, used for observation, Forward Air Control of fighters and Gunnery, medevac, taxi and general abuse by Sgt Pilots. I would give Artist's left leg to own one, which isn't crazy as they are being sold off cheap.

[Artist]

Cheers Prez!

Nought but nastiness your last post. I only got lost once or twice and me left leg is BLR so you'd have a problem selling it.

Could let you have jar of my Special Pickled Onions mind. I'm sure some one would pay top dollar for them. Or you could sell them some Mint Imperials. I hear you have Tons in the Attic.

How your Snooker Game by the way?

Artist

[El Prez]

There I was at 15000 feet, with nothing on the clock but the makers name, when...............can I buy you another drink dwahling?

John McGaw and I were feeling listless, he was an Irish detainee. Anyways, we were hanging about over Belfast at night as you do, it was crystal clear, pitch black (can you say that these days?) and in the far NE we could see the glow of lights. So, absolving ourselves by saying "Madness not to" we climbed to about 14000 and had a good skeg over at Glasgow and Ayr, real parts of the world, where real people were going about their lives, without fear of semtex, hollow points, or crazed Gazelle drivers. we were very quiet during the descent towards the madness that is NI; but for a short period we had been happy.