A clarification.

[Sir John]

To avoid any misunderstanding, my military career started in the second half of 1958, when I was called up for 'National Service'.

This scheme was introduced in 1951 in response to the Korean War, and our involvement in it.
By 1958 it was all over, and the brief love affair between me and them was well and truly over by 1960 when my 3 months basic, and 2 years Reserves, was completed. A couple of years ago they even sent me a Medal to mark my service to the nation. Little do they know!

Not like some that go out and earn a REAL medal for REAL courage! Like one member of these Forums.

We parted company with a HUGE sigh of mutual relief and agreement that it was a waste of my time and the taxpayers money. A view shared by all my fellow "Nashos".

With the exception of learning how to drive an (ex US) WW2 'GMC' (left hand drive) truck, they did not teach me anything I had not learned in boarding school cadet corps.

So when I grace these pages with my brilliance and military knowledge, it all came from BOOKS (and the Internet) of which i have been devouring one or the other since I was about 10 years old.

Thus endeth my military career!


SJ

[jerryfmcompushaft]

I would suggest that it is possible that you have learned more military knowledge from your books than some of the members of the old forum who spent their entire active service picking up cigarette butts and painting rocks....

[Sir John]

Being a book nerd is one thing, but what I can never know is what it is REALLY like to be a REAL soldier.

I asked my Great uncle many years ago what it was like the first time he 'went over the top' in France in WW1, and his reply was "I was TERRIFIED".

as you would be!

I remember listening to the tune 'Madamoiselle from Armentiers', and he winked at me and said, "I have met that lady". I was but an innocent lad, and I missed his message for a while after that.

SJ

[boxcar]

>>some of the members of the old forum who spent their entire active service picking up cigarette butts <<

Isn't that what they call a sniper?

[Deleted]

Aug 16, 2012 20:14:22 GMT -5 jerryfmcompushaft said:

I would suggest that it is possible that you have learned more military knowledge from your books than some of the members of the old forum who spent their entire active service picking up cigarette butts and painting rocks....

I resemble that remark! ;D