Re-Badging from one Corps to Another.

Did anyone ever re-badge from one corps to another, or from a technical corps like R Sigs or REME to the Grunts (Infantry)? I can remember one REME VM (Vehicle Mech) who transfered to the R Sigs, and tried for the training as a Spec Op. Like many, he failed the morse code speed tests etc. He eventually ended up as a unit PTI and ended up in the Physical Training Corps in the same rank of corporal as he was when he transfered from REME.

I can remember in the early 1970s I had a fantasy about transfering to I Corps from R Sigs. I was 29 or 30 at the time, and was advised that the I Corps did not take either new blood, or transferees from other Corps over the age of 30 years old. I actually filled out an application form, which was supported by an I Corps Officer. However, this was not successful. I think that I had some idea that the I Corps would be a more cushy number than the R Sigs etc.

I ended my days at 11 Sigs at Helles Lines on the RP Staff when I came back from abroad, then took a voluntary redundancy option under defence cuts in the mid 1970s.

Has anyone regretted not rebadging to another corps from the one they were currently in at a younger age?

Back in '53 in a desperate attempt to get out of ciphers I applied for the Federation of Malay Military Forces ... see below my letter to OC who recommended me and the subsequent refusal as too young.

Len (Ciphers)

Re badged from Para Regt to A&SH and had to pay my own train fair to my new unit.

I remember a Cpl in the RAPC transferring to the Gunners. He remained in the Regiment, reverted to Gnr and became a Gun Bunny - don't think he lasted longer than 6 months!

A close relative of mine re badged RMP from R Signals.

The shame of it...

Disgraceful, we didn't have any Polis in our family - had plenty at the door, though!!

Shelldrake wrote:

I remember a Cpl in the RAPC transferring to the Gunners. He remained in the Regiment, reverted to Gnr and became a Gun Bunny - don't think he lasted longer than 6 months!

I wonder what made a shiny arsed pay clerk decide to leave a warm office for the icy misery of a Gun Park ?

There were quite a few examples of re-badging in my time.
One of the earliest was a bloke in our Bty who "claimed" his two brothers. One of them was in the KOYLI.
I joined QOH from civvy st., after demob.
A Scaley Cpl I knew, who'd re badged to QOH, was talking about moving on to the RMP, last I saw him.
A Scaley Cpl I knew rebadged to QOH and ended up a major. (Mellor).
Two of our REME gun fitters studied the rates of pay and re badged to the Gunners. One, Chas, ended up a gun No 1 in our Bty, (I don't know where the other one went). Chas was killed in Andersonstown in '72.

A friend of mine applied to transfer to the AAC as a pilot, the BC at the time would only recommend him for Air Gunner (Bit of sour grapes I think). He went on gain a Commission and then became an Instructor, and now Pilots rich tourists around the Caribbean.

A couple of guys that I served with transferred to the MPSC.




NB: The BC remained as a Major for the next 25 years.

Good evening all

I have been on “listening watch” now decided to put my bit in, back in 1971 was very unhappy with the Royal Signals being posted to a new unit on its formation with the promise of promotion to full screw, it did not happen, while in quarters gave a lift daily to a Int Corps lad, we got chatting about his job and ended up applying to transfer, got my interview at Ashford and accepted (22 years young) being told for training down to private and promotion back after training, no problem, my OC was not happy and called me in to his office and said do you want your promotion or your transfer, took the transfer but got my full screw anyway, pay was backed dated to when I arrived in the unit, did not go through with the transfer and purchased my discharge from the Royal Signals two years later…

From my Junior Leaders Regiment Royal Signals…know of several would transferred to the Int Corps and at least two who were commissioned…also one of lads ended up in the Staffords as a Major, another RAEC as Captain, another RAMC as Captain, also one to the Green Jackets making RSM…regarding the APTC the lowest rank is Sgt and know of at least three who transferred making WO…one a good mate from my intake went on to Captain…

From the Royal Engineers knew a Cpl who had transferred from the Guards and ended up Lt Col (QM)…

Cheers
Steve

I transferred from the RE's to the REME back in 81 due to the lack of promotion.
When my transfer came through the OC of the workshops gave me my REME capbadge and my first tape, less than a year later I was a full screw. Don't regret it at all.

Chris

I did put in for transfer once, saw on orders that they were starting another Coy RMP for N Ireland, thinking this might be a good time to move (was due my promotion to Sgt but for reasons which I will not go into got bad confidential) went along for interview, passed and was accepted fortunately (or not) I had to change my mind the day before transfer due to family reasons, ended up staying with RCT and just loved it

Les

Remember seeing the RMP's driving around in marked cars in Belfast. Austin 1800's and they were nice and warm and dry when it rained.Being in the infantry we were a bit jealous of them and was tempted to transfer over but it was frowned upon by our unit to even think of joining the 'Monkeys'.We did not like them one bit as we had fallen fowl of them in our various posting aroon the world.

My self. I was RC Sigs and started to apply for a re-muster (Re-Badge) in 71. By 77 they finaly realized I was serious (re-applying every 6 months). I knew that staying in the Sigs I wouldn't make it past Cpl. Had a few things on record that the Corp didn't like. So re-mustered too the cook trade. Instantly knew I had made the right decision first day in the kitchen. Was promoted upwards and was asked by the Army to reconsider comiing back in on taking early pension.This was 6 months after my release. Funny thing is though. I did a 6 month tour in CFS Alert which is a RC Sigs posting as the baker. They wrote a PER that had me walking on water and sucking eggs with out cracking the shell. So the RC Sigs had me promoted when attached to them. Reason for early pension: They wanted to post me to sea". Nothing against sailors, I just didn't see me being one. On leaving the Army I had some very good positions offered to me and did well. Have no regrets on re-mustering.

I never re-badged myself, but during my officer training I ran into several officer candidates who, after completing their BOTC (Basic Officer Training Course), became, in effect, professional officers' under training. They would begin a course of training, realize it wasn't for them, then re-muster to another trade or element without completing the original training. Officer candidates, because Canada has only one unified military, could re-muster from Army to Navy to Air Force and back again. Some guys spent years under training before completing a trade, all the while getting paid and contributing towards their pension.

The best part was that during the period of waiting between leaving one trade and beginning another, anywhere up to 6 or 9 months, these untrained officers were employed on base in spare staff positions getting experience without having to assume responsibility. Nice job if you can get it.

Cheers,
Dan.

Transferring to another Corps or Regiment doesn't always work in your favour. Whilst serving in Colchester a friend of mine did a level transfer from the Gunners to the MPSC, after 12 years service with the MCTC he left as a Ssgt. I
know that if he had remained with the Gnrs he would have at least made WO I, or possibly been commissioned.

Twelve years in Colly nick ? Blimey !
OK, no exercises, no Op Banner crap but even so, that must've been BORING !
A bloke I know, lives not far from here, left Boys service and went straight into King's Troop, RHA. As near as I can make out he did his full 22 + in St John's Wood.
Not for me, I'm afraid.

When rebadging to another unit,do you keep your seniority with your new unit?

I know of three cases where rebadging did work, one was a Lcpl from the Signals who transferred to the SASC and rose to Wo, another went to the Hampshire regt and left as a SSgt,
The third was a guy who sold his car to pay for a Fixed wing pilots licence and the transferred to the AAC to fly choppers. Me I rebadged to civvy street and still regret it!.

rucjock21 wrote:

When rebadging to another unit,do you keep your seniority with your new unit?

Normally when you transfer you are asked to revert to the next rank, I believe that you can transfer to the MPSC as a Cpl/Bdr recommended for promotion and then attend an Induction Course. On successful completion of the Course Cpls/Bdrs are promoted to Sgt and all transferees retain a common seniority date. For some reason the MPSC attract a large proportion of RMP! Tam I know of one of your guys (A&SH) who transferred to MPSC and ended up in close arrest in our Guardroom, this was around '78/'79 - you may remember the case?

brum wrote:

Twelve years in Colly nick ? Blimey !
OK, no exercises, no Op Banner crap but even so, that must've been BORING !

He was employed in "D Wing" working 8 hour shifts, his wife had a good job in Colchester and he was a member of his Pubs darts team, so it worked for him.

24, 39 & 50 Msl Regt could also be cited, same old, same old, year in year out - Nein Danke!

cobris wrote:

I transferred from the RE's to the REME back in 81 due to the lack of promotion.
When my transfer came through the OC of the workshops gave me my REME capbadge and my first tape, less than a year later I was a full screw. Don't regret it at all.

Chris

Hi Chris
For me it was good 4 years from re-joining (22 months out) to substantive corporal as a Combat Engineer instructor…so the RE was good if you are in the right place at the right time of course...
Regards
Steve

Quite a few R Sigs went from Tech to Regimental duties and eventually rebadged and promoted. Met a number who had been kicked out of other units incl RN, Airborne and after suitable rehabilitation in civvy st rejoined R Sigs . Many excellent characters amongst them. Another route for R Sigs was via Interpreter level foreign languages to rebadging.

[quote="Shelldrake24, 39 & 50 Msl Regt could also be cited, same old, same old, year in year out - Nein Danke! [/quote]

50 Msl Regt. Our unit 1 SSM Bty RCA had a close connection with them...

Shelldrake wrote:

24, 39 & 50 Msl Regt could also be cited, same old, same old, year in year out - Nein Danke!

You're dead right mate, I'd forgotten to mention those bloody Sennelager site guards too, totally soul destroying.
When it became clear that 24 Msl was staying in Paderborn for ever, the regiment was given the opportunity to apply for a posting. I was nearly killed in the rush !

(I think Willy Fitz did his full service with 24, very strange ).

I remember one Cipher Cpl from 201 Sig Sqdn being borrowed for exercise in sun sand and Indian ocean with prospect of aircondx and swimming afternoons.. On arrival a change of plan meant his new task issued him with rifle and ammo and his tapes did not count. He must have done all right as a few months after his return two guys came in a champ to take him on the acceptance course. He passed and rebadged.