Every soldier's worst nightmare.

[servicepub]

This photo shows a Guardsman being scrutinized by FIVE RSMs, one from each of the Battalions as well as the RSM of the Guards Depot.

[DavidS]

His right pant leg looks like it's half an inch higher than his left pant leg. Does that mean his asymmetric putteeing will result in 3 days of potatoes?

[CftD]

I rather suspect that this is a posed photograph for whatever reason and I can't understand why all five RSMs would be at the Guards Depot at the same time. No doubt those with greater knowledge of the Brigade will clarify. David

[John S.]

All:
Since all the RSMs are Batallion RSMs, as well as the Depot RSM, I am wondering why they are wearing small rank insignia on the forearms of their battledress jackets, rather than the large Guards RSM rank insignias, as worn between the elbow and top of sleeve on battledress.
Perhaps the large Guards RSM insignia was not authorized for wear at the time this photo was taken?
Any ideas here?
Cheers,
John S.

[Sunray9]

All in all - a Formidable bunch of men.

[LONGSHANKS]

I think you could do with the chap's in London at the moment. They would instill some order,(with the addition of fear)....

[Jack MDT]

Originally Posted by CftD

I rather suspect that this is a posed photograph for whatever reason and I can't understand why all five RSMs would be at the Guards Depot at the same time. No doubt those with greater knowledge of the Brigade will clarify. David

I agree completely. The soldiers cap is 100% Canadian, and sorry to say (esp to my Canuk mates!) those RSM's do NOT terrify the life out of me.
I'm ex Navy Combined Ops, so I had one particular Fleet Chief who's voice could make your blood turn ice cold at 100yrds and the dubious priviledge of RM RSM's at Poole Barracks. They had such intelligent methods for making you life a total misery you'd actually wish they'd rather punch your lights out!!! But oh no......filling sandbags, empying them 50yrds away, a 10 min break per hour and returning same sand in same bags all F***ing night.
Why I hear you ask! It got noticed at Poole that I'd managed to avoid a weekend duty by every means possible for TWO YEARS.......so the sand bags were "TO make up for it you coniving worm" and he had the nerve to grin like the Cheshire Cat when he said it, and I was stupid enough to laugh, because also in utter dumbness I thought he was joking!!! Oh boy was he NOT.....a month of Eagle Eyes on me followed.
Its a VERY old joke, but half the RM battle honours were won by marines who'd rather lose a leg than face a pissed off RSM!
So to finish I'd say this photo is very posed as any RSM or Fleet Chief I've met would rip that trooper apart. His cap looks like it just landed on his head by accident to start with!
And the boot polish....all bad from a British point of view...the reflection from a Brit RSM's boots would leave you with sun spots on your eyes!