Army of the present day.

(All credit to this forum that none of us have voiced our feelings over this nightmare).
Us old 'uns tend to think that todays army isn't up to the standard it was when we were "in".
Having watched the funeral of Fusilier Rigby on the TV I take it all back.
They did him proud.

I served from 67 till Nov 75, I never saw a shot fired in anger, I was never stationed in NI, spent most of my service in BAOR.
I have however, worked at Range Control BATUS for the past 18 years. In that time I have seen the change in the battle groups emphasis from "training in case there is a war" to "training because we are going to war next month". To see these fine men and women getting ready for come what may has always filled me with awe, when you also consider that this is an all volunteer army it is mind blowing. I have nothing but the deepest admiration for all our serving soldiers, there was a question posed on this forum some time ago, "would you join todays army"? I would like to think I would, BUT I am really not that sure anymore. I do think that the "system" lets our returning and discharged veterans down to a certain extent, [ here in Canada as well] PTSD seems to be a mystery illness that is still only talked about in hushed tones, reading the BBC news the other day they quoted some terrible numbers in relation to army and ex army members committing suicide, these poor folks gave their lives to the country just as much as someone dying in battle. So the question I still ask myself, "would I join todays army"? Ian.

Yes - I concur with the above comments. However, I think if I had my time over again, I would have joined the RAF, possibly in the same trade group as a Data Telegraphist/Teleprinter Operator, or whatever they call it nowadays - Systems Operator, I think.

The trade I was in during my time in the R Signals, set me up for the career/employment I followed after coming out into civvie street in 1977. I worked in Computing/IT, and gained HND level qualifications in Computing & Business Studies, and later, a BA Degree in Humanities & Social S8) ciences. I worked as a Computer Operator (mainfraimes), then as a IT Help Desk Operator. So Army, or more generally, military trade training can, and is usefull for civvie street post military careers.

Ian wrote:

I served from 67 till Nov 75, I never saw a shot fired in anger, I was never stationed in NI, spent most of my service in BAOR.
I have however, worked at Range Control BATUS for the past 18 years. In that time I have seen the change in the battle groups emphasis from "training in case there is a war" to "training because we are going to war next month". To see these fine men and women getting ready for come what may has always filled me with awe, when you also consider that this is an all volunteer army it is mind blowing. I have nothing but the deepest admiration for all our serving soldiers, there was a question posed on this forum some time ago, "would you join todays army"? I would like to think I would, BUT I am really not that sure anymore. I do think that the "system" lets our returning and discharged veterans down to a certain extent, [ here in Canada as well] PTSD seems to be a mystery illness that is still only talked about in hushed tones, reading the BBC news the other day they quoted some terrible numbers in relation to army and ex army members committing suicide, these poor folks gave their lives to the country just as much as someone dying in battle. So the question I still ask myself, "would I join todays army"? Ian.

Good post.