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I was wondering from the serving and ex-soldiers on the forum, the general opinion of soldiers as regards to officers. I sometimes hear that the soldiers often thing that officers are not real soldiers and are only in to have a sky rocketing career.
I also realise that to maintain a professional atmosphere, the officers need to stay fairly removed form their troops, but one thing that appeals to me about the army is the real friendships and support soldiers give eachother. Is this ever possible between officers and their troops? Or is the officer alwys really an outsider and can often not 'one of the lads'?
I really want to know if the officer will ever get the oportunity to make real frindships within his platoon etc.?

Are you considering a career as a 'Rupert'?

I think the best an officer can expect is respect, friendship - nope.

To generalise (a dangerous thing I know) - Leading troops and being 'matey' do not go. I think officers come from a completely different background from the men they command, have different aspirations and interests and not a lot in common.

Of the officers I have worked with, RM are amongst the best, perhaps due to their training being tougher than a RM recruit (Royals on this forum feel free to discuss!)

Some very good Army officers, particularly from the Teeth Arms (Inf, RA, RE etc), however, those from the Household Division (Guards, Cavalry) I wouldn't pis* on if they were on fire.

RN very similar to Army officers although a little more 'stiffer' and formal than the Army.

RAF officers, basically civvies in uniform and want to be your best mate!

To summarise, unless an officer has come up through the ranks your average, bootie, pongo or matelot has very little in common with the officers that command them and friendship is not sought on either side.

Most of my experiences have been with RM officers. Some I have great respect for and some not so. I could say the same for other ranks that I have known.

In general an officer should be at arms length from his men if he is going to command them efficiently and effectively. I have witnessed young officers who tried to become one of the boys, their careers were short lived.

I am on friendly terms with a few retired officers, this friendship came from mutual respect. They say and I agree, that the most difficult rank in the forces is that of corporal. You live with the men while still being in charge of them. The officers and SNCO's can wander off to their respective accommodations at the end of the day.

Aye - Andy.

Naval Officers are generally more 'above and aloof' from the lads as is the Navy Senior Rates system. The RM tend to work closely with all their officers. Most RM officers get respect from the lads because the training is very similar but the times for all the Commando tests are shorter; if the lads can do it... so can the officers, but quicker!
Most of the Army officers I have met have been so far a way from reality they don't know what their lads are thinking. I have mostly only been in contact with ceremonial units though!
The officer who did a States trip with us from the Argyles was a top bloke and a real gent as well. Almost split personality... when with officers or the jocks, he was an officer. When he was with us he was brilliant!

We had three Ruperts in out Company, and all of them were short time
Officers, ie National Service Men. Two of them left about the same time that I did. My platoon officer could not settle down back in civivy street
and went of and joined the Australians. He fought in Vietnam and became the decorated officer since WW2 and became a colonel and ran their staaf college. One of the others joined the Canadians Forces and became a Lt Colonel and ran their staff college. So Ruperts may have some thing, but even more if you had done your National Service.

Reading this thread is very interesting, as I want to be an officer, but I also want to have a close rap-or(spelling) with the men I would be working with, the band of brothers mentality really appeals to me.

Do you not get this then if your an officer, also I’m not posh in the slightest and don’t think the officers mess is where id want to be, as I cant abide toff's. Are there allot of toffs as officers.

Would it be better working my way up instead...

lew

Working your way up the best most will achieve is WO and thats with a bit of luck and a lot of time pissed away.

Join as an Officer
Lead by example
Show respect.
The pay's better, when you leave you have more options open to you and hey, you might just pick up a posh rich bird whose dad owns a brewery.

Working your way up the best most will achieve is WO and thats with a bit of luck and a lot of time pissed away.

I wouldn't consider the time I spent as having being "pissed away", indeed, a lot of the time was spent 'educating' young Ruperts. The wiser ones listened to the advice.

Let me rephrase that then
You would be spending a lot of time working your way up when you if you have the chance, you could go in as a rupert straight off and save the time
If he has the have the chance, go for it is what I'm saying.

Nicely rephrased Chris

As you rightly say and I think I understand it :

If he has the have the chance, go for it is what I'm saying.

[b]Some very good Army officers, particularly from the Teeth Arms (Inf, RA, RE etc), however, those from the Household Division (Guards, Cavalry) I wouldn't pis* on if they were on fire. [/b]

Do you mean that just the Household Cavalry officers (ie Blue & Royals, Life Guards ) are pricks or all cavalry officers in general?

I'd like to go into the cavalry ( not the ceromonial regiments, probably the Scot's Dragoon Guards or the Light Dragoons ). What are those officers like?

G'day Aussie. My comments with regard to Officers from the Household Division are purely from personal experience and are a 'generalised' view.

I am sure there are some wonderful Officers from this Division, however, I never managed to meet any

The 'thing' about the Household Division is that they are like an army within an army and very differnt from the other Corps & Regiments that comprise the British Army, for example their rank structure. A Serjeant (note the spelling) is a Corporal and a Corporal of the Horse is a Staff Sergeant (I think), most confusing even to those serving in the rest of the army.

I am sure there are some good guys in there and all the best with which ever you unit to choose to join.

Aye. Tony

Contractor wrote: To summarise, unless an officer has come up through the ranks your average, bootie, pongo or matelot has very little in common with the officers that command them and friendship is not sought on either side.

Not always true. I am in officer training, now, and have bugger all in common with most of the public school boys down here. I've never seen so many double-barrell surnames! Plus i'm a northerner, which almost counts as ethnic minority at sandhurst.
My background is a small mining town that went bust with the pit closures of the 80's and 90's. There are a handful of officers down here at sandhurst, who, like me, have much more in common with soldiers than the officers around us. trouble is, we still can't be friends with our soldiers, because we have to maintain a professional distance in order to command.

I have to agree about the Cavalry officers. Massivly out of most peoples league - they live in a totally different world. I've yet to meet one who isn't an arse.

Jacko

Hey up Jacko lad, what Regiment/Corps are you joining?

Jacko are the vast majority of officers training with you toffs?