General Chat

I quite agree Lorraine... but that call-up was in response to a national emergency, as I said earlier... and the military system was geared then to provide the training appropriate.. many people who wouldn't have given the military a second glance have gone on to say that it was the making of them...

But the modern Forces are more streamlined, highly trained - and more technical training at that.... it is purely a professional, voluntarily entered fighting/peacekeeping force, equipped to deal with a very different type of warfare and peacekeeping than our parents and grandparents were forced to go through.

Pray to God that we never go through that again!

Yes, you are right... people are leaving the forces in their droves.... which is one of the many reasons why having to use the military we DO have to fight in all corners of the world, and then to come back and battle reluctant learners in their own down/training time is absurd!

Love

Daff xxx

the military are not thugs MGHS and it takes more then dropping them in a war zone to make them the professionals that they are

Thank you Tory. I agree totally.
There are some who slip the net... and look at the damage they do to the reputation of the rest of these brave and hardworking young servicemen and women!!

Having NS back would increase that potential... and would penalise all those who have no desire to serve in the Forces, have worked hard to attain their own personal, professional goals in civvy street, but are made to join and then tarred with the same brush!

To me, that seems a futile exercise!

Love

Daff xxx

Hi Daff thank you and I agree with you 100%

well, I think the jury has declared a resounding NO to national service

Daff~~~~~~~

{{{{{HUGS }}}}

Getting in touch with my feminine side and being all nice and fluffy.

[[[[positive thoughts]]]]]

Good point there, Daff - I suppose it's like saying to someone (like me) who is trying to set up their own business and funding themselves, and so on, that - unless you do some standard thing like National Service - your work or profession isn't as "good" or "important" as someone who has.

Because all professions are going to be useful somehow - whether it's being a doctor or a shop assistant or a beauty therapist or whatever else, everybody surely has some contribution they can make.

An aggressive soldier is not a good soldier.

The soldiers I have lived around for 34 years have not been aggressive... disciplined, compassionate, passionate, and many plain darned heroic. But not aggressive.

The aggressive ones were weeded out and sent on their way... someone who is aggressive in the sense that you seem to be saying (but am happy to be wrong, lol) are usually unstable and undisciplined when it comes down to the nitty gritty.
Love

Daff xxx

I am not trying to advocate that young people should do their NS to go and fight, or to play soldiers.. What I am trying to say is that young people, with an apprecticeship etc., can do two years either in between their five years or after their apprencticeship.
They would not be called upon to go to any front-line, but they would be available to assist in any emergency which may occur in the UK. relieving some of the more hardened troops.
Daf, I appreciate your husbands training. I was also an instructor in the RN. But this was training 'hardened' ratings with a permanent job to do.
And yes, it can take sometime..
What I am saying, is that all these youngsters, could be given the chance to learn any trade. Electrics, plumbing etc., and we all know that one Instructor can take anything from 12 - 20 personel.
In between all this they can be given instructions of Fire-fighting, First-Aid, etc..at the same time learning how to respect others, learning and taking on responsibilty.. The plus signs go on and on. I'm afraid, and this is my view only, the minus signs to NS under these conditions are very, very few...
I am not wanting youngsters to go and fight, I am wanting them all to become an asset in as many ways as possible to this country and to themselves.
If this is wrong - then string me up... John

well, if they arent going to be combatants, what on earth is the point of being in the armed forces?

And I would rather emigrate (as I suspect many others would) rather than let my son or daughter be forced into the services against their will.

John....would you include females in this compulsory NS?

On a lighter note ( I hope...cos the reality would be horrendous )

Press gangs for the Navy ( if Brussels will allow )....

Then can you imagine the RAF.....once they were trained they could go AWOL in one of the planes. Perhaps to sunnier climes

With the Army they could learn how to kill others with more proficiency and prolifically.....

And what fun being a Marine....they could learn it all, then go back to the streets and anihalate the lot of us.....yes.....good idea Not

Susan
x

updated...sorry if this offends...will delete if asked to

NOTE - All I can say, is that if this country is attacked or over-run - God help us - no one seems to want to help....

well said Daff MGHS these are not aggresive people and I don't know why you would think they are I would sugest that you try meeting some of our service personal

Dont worry John we can always send in the football yobs ; )

so then look into why so many are leaveing the services and why there not joining in the first place and address that John

sorry Kate... didn't see you there... and you are spot on... we each of us have a natural talent and aptitude... we are all needed, required, vital in our society... we all have a contribution to make... and those who CHOOSE to soldier, or paint or preach or teach, beautify us, nurse and care for us... we are all vital elements of society.

John... I still don't feel that ALL our young should be forced into NS.

I DO however, agree that a change in the penal system which would incorporate a Bootcamp-type training would be an area that could work, and could turn some young lives right around! But not in the *real* military environment... for me, that must be kept totally separate...

lol John... my husband trade trained too..... once out of basic training, the nervous Newbies, and then they had to pass various courses to reach each rank up to Staff/Sgt.

Me? I worked with youngsters some adults had already described as *uneducable* at the tender age of 5 to 11!!

So I can see this from different angles, I hope!

Love

Daff xxx

Eldrick - of course I would... And as I have said - these people would be given a trade - something which they are NOT being given in civvy street.. I do not see any problem...
Thanks Old Geezer we seem to have a bit more in common that just being in the RN....

I think I know what you are saying now John. A good Idea if put into place as an option earlier in their lives.....

something to aspire to for those who couldn't make it normally maybe?.

There may be many youngsters out there who would give their eye teeth for such training and opportunities.....Not sure it would work with hardened Yobs though.

What of those on drugs.....rehab first...which would take an awful long time.

Then there are those who are mentally screwed up for any number of reasons....lots of psychiatric help needed there.

And so on

As I said before....there would be a lot more to it than just the suggestion, which in itself sounds like a good idea.

Susan
x

John, lol.... if anyone wanted to attack my country.... I would take up arms myself... and before you say anything.... I am rated Markswoman!! Almost got to Bisley, but there was a war somewhere that hubby had to go and play with and no-one to mind the children!!

Oh... and we ARE at war... people have been bombing us on these shores for the last 40 years, nearly... people we have educated, housed, fed, nurtured and lived alongside!!

~~~~~waves to Susan.... it was your post that reminded me, actually, thank you!!

Love

Daff xxx

lol MGH... I have been married to one for 36 years, lol!!

Yes, he would kill if he had to... but his role is to protect as he sees it... he is not naturally aggressive.... controlled or otherwise!!

Or at least... no more so than is intrinsic in any other *normal* human being, such as you or me.

Love

Daff xxx

i have spent many years around all the serives except the raf although not as long as you or daff and have always found them to be no different to any other person