The Modern Modern Army

[hagwalther]

Hi Guys,

Double post for some reason...

Regards

Chris

[Faugh-A-Ballagh]

I recently saw a collection of photographs from the early days of the Ulster Defence Regiment, and some of the haircuts, or lack of for that matter, would have given many an RSM apoplexy! The Bay City Rollers in DPM would be a fair description. However, it certainly did not diminish their bravery or ability as soldiers. in an era when a short haircut immediately meant being immediately identified as a soldier or policeman, a bit of leeway was given, especially when so many of these volunteers lived and worked in dangerous areas. In one part time company, the local hippy was the last remaining hairy soldier, but at least he did his turn!

John

[hagwalther]

Hi Guys,

OK, I been through everything and it seems I only use the term once.

Note that you are only seeing one sentence so are not getting the full story behind the introduction of A/A badges which is where this is from:

Anodised aluminium cap badges (also known as A/A, Staybrite, Stay Bright. Ano etc) were originally created as part of the British Army’s attempt to cut down on the bane of every army recruit, this being ‘spit and polish’, which was often referred to in more colourful terms by your venerable British Army squaddie.

(There is a lot more to the above but I don't want to get into it here).

Now, I certainly see this as an issue but I am the sort of person who is more than willing to take advice from people who know more about things than I do.

I was going to use 'Troopie' but it seems that the Ruperts have pinched that one...

Regards

Chris

[hagwalther]

Originally Posted by Faugh-A-Ballagh

I recently saw a collection of photographs from the early days of the Ulster Defence Regiment, and some of the haircuts, or lack of for that matter, would have given many an RSM apoplexy! The Bay City Rollers in DPM would be a fair description. However, it certainly did not diminish their bravery or ability as soldiers. in an era when a short haircut immediately meant being immediately identified as a soldier or policeman, a bit of leeway was given, especially when so many of these volunteers lived and worked in dangerous areas. In one part time company, the local hippy was the last remaining hairy soldier, but at least he did his turn!

John

We had an ex-Hells Angel in our unit but he did have short hair.

[Charlie585]

Hi Chris,

I think that in the context that you are using the word it is perfectly acceptable.

Context is the key to this word I think, I was proud to be a Squaddie but it might have been different if someone had used the word F***ing before it or B***ard after it. Even then Most of us would have been proud knowing that some poor little civvy muppet was having a tantrum at our expense whilst paying our wages, no need to take offence when you think about it!

Ry

[2747andy]

Originally Posted by Charlie585

Hi Chris,

I think that in the context that you are using the word it is perfectly acceptable.

Context is the key to this word I think, I was proud to be a Squaddie but it might have been different if someone had used the word F***ing before it or B***ard after it. Even then Most of us would have been proud knowing that some poor little civvy muppet was having a tantrum at our expense whilst paying our wages, no need to take offence when you think about it!

Ry

Chris,
the context is fine with me, my point was that the "S" word when used in the wrong context, as Ry points out can be offensive to some!

It's a bit like the "F" word, you can use plenty of other terms or expletives, but when you want a "F***ing good rant" only the Full Fat word will do! lol

Andy

[hagwalther]

OK Guys,

Looks like we are all on the same song sheet which has to be excellent news!!!

Back to photographing the Tudor Crowned, Essex Yeomanry A/A badge.

Regards

Chris

[Charlie585]

Hi gents,
As a continuation of the theme of this thread but intended for information purposes only and not to cause offence. Here are some of the alternative names for service personnel / units etc. That were commonly used during the time that I served.
On the whole they were at the time generally accepted as being tongue in cheek and widely used and in the main tolerated. The less tolerated ones I have annotated accordingly.
Please feel free to add others if you so wish but please don’t take it as an invitation to cause outright offence.

SOLDIERS

Squaddie (Bill Oddie)
Pongo
Tommy
Tom

FEMALE SOLDIERS

Split A*se (Derogatory)
Doris (Also any soldier with a clerical job / See Handbag)

RE

Toffee Wrapper (Sapper) (A rank and also generic to any member of the corps)
Ginger Beer (Engineer)
Knocker / Oggie, (Field Engineer)
Wedge (Armoured Engineer)
Armoured Farmer (Armoured Engineer but originally 3RTR)

RA

Gun Bunny
Nine mile Sniper (Derogatory)
Drop Short
Plank (Offensive)

INFANTRY

Grunt
Crunchie (Derogatory)

RMP

Monkey
Sh*t in Bulk (SIB, Special Investigation Branch) (Derogatory)

OTHER CORPS / TRADES

Egg Op (Chef)
Slop Jockey (Chef) (Derogatory)
Handbag (Data Telegraphist R Sigs)
Gym Queen (PT Instructor)
Spanner W*nkers (REME)
Blanket stacker (Storeman, any)
Green Slime (Int Corps)
Chunky (Pioneer)

OFFICERS

Rodney
Rupert
One Pip Wonder (2nd Lt)

RAF

Crab

NAVY

Matelot
Skate (Derogatory)

ROYAL MARINES

Booty
Cabbage Head (Derogatory)

[Phil2M]

I was taught by an ex navy officer, the meaning of Skate when used in the context of naval personnel. I was only ten

Phil

[Charlie585]

Originally Posted by phil2m

I was taught by an ex navy officer, the meaning of Skate when used in the context of naval personnel. I was only ten

Phil

Hi Phil,

Let's not go into detail on the origins of that one, not nice!

Regards

Ry

[Phil2M]

believe me, i was saying no more than that.

Those navy guys and their roller skates eh, tut!

Phil

[Charlie585]

Originally Posted by phil2m

believe me, i was saying no more than that.

Those navy guys and their roller skates eh, tut!

Phil

Yeah it must be hell on deck Phil

Ry

[Phil2M]

lol. for some reason that made me think of the north atlantic deck pecker bird. dunno why.

phil

[davec2]

Some humour at last, what a relief

[Skazapo]

After reading the above posts from some of the 'old and and bold' I am left disappointed at your comments. As a serving sergeant I can assure you that the professionalism shown by our young soldiers today remains top notch. Further to that the demands placed on the 'modern' soldier far exceeds what any british soldier has been placed under for the past 30 years. In my 11 years in the army I along with my brotherins have been deployed to the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan on more than one occasion each. We are overstretched and over deployed but never once have I heard from any rank a single complaint. Our dress standards remain high and always cross references with the queens dress regulations. The only slightly relaxed aspect on our dress code is our berets (as it has always been) which is worn in slightly different styles by different regiments, almost as an identifying feature of each regiment. After spending many a hour over the years looking at photos from soldiers in the 80's and 70's I have seen some dubiously worn berets and mops of hair but never once did I think of them as slack ill disciplined and 'not of standard' as some of you in this forum seem to think about our armed forces of today.
Trust me when I tell you this, we are still and by a long shot the best and most professional army in the world.