National Service
- Thread starter TitanTim
- Start date
At the summit of the picturesque fens
At 17, in the late 80s, I applied to join the Army and RAF.
Did a few entrance exams, and then got a list of roles they thought I had the aptitude for…attack helicopter pilot was unfortunately not one of them.
I put my name down for ordnance & munitions technician in the Army, and avionics technician for the RAF.
Had a follow up test with the RAF, but completely failed that as it was a 2 hour paper on electronics…and I had no clue about that, and was expecting to learn it all as an RAF apprentice/trainee…I thought that was the whole point.
But I got accepted into the army, but would have to wait for the next apprentice intake. 6 months later got told I was now too old (at just under 18) to join the next intake, as they’d changed the criteria and you now had to be under 18 at intake
Wasted 6 months working at McDonalds whilst I was waiting and was really pissed off when I got the letter. Ended up going onto computer programming course instead as I couldn’t stand McDonalds any more.
Maybe my next 30 years of experience in pyrotechnics and driving fast over rough surfaces will qualify me as an expert in some future war?
Did a few entrance exams, and then got a list of roles they thought I had the aptitude for…attack helicopter pilot was unfortunately not one of them.
I put my name down for ordnance & munitions technician in the Army, and avionics technician for the RAF.
Had a follow up test with the RAF, but completely failed that as it was a 2 hour paper on electronics…and I had no clue about that, and was expecting to learn it all as an RAF apprentice/trainee…I thought that was the whole point.
But I got accepted into the army, but would have to wait for the next apprentice intake. 6 months later got told I was now too old (at just under 18) to join the next intake, as they’d changed the criteria and you now had to be under 18 at intake
Wasted 6 months working at McDonalds whilst I was waiting and was really pissed off when I got the letter. Ended up going onto computer programming course instead as I couldn’t stand McDonalds any more.
Maybe my next 30 years of experience in pyrotechnics and driving fast over rough surfaces will qualify me as an expert in some future war?
And when I read comments like this I wonder why I bothered.Pondrew said:
Doesn’t matter what role you sign up for. I read a quote that servicemen and women sign a blank cheque to the sovereign to a value up to and including their life. Every one agrees to that.
And I didn’t find the Gulf War to be a particularly cushy number if it helps you justify the pension.
If you addressed each single member of the RAF in the same manner then there would be no RAF at all.
Then you’d only be able to swap your Lada for a Trabant every other week.
Mate!
North West Surrey
In my teens I would have been horrified to think I might have to do some sort of National Service! 
And I wouldn't want to inflict that on todays teenagers. It's almost like the Tories have got fed up with being in Government and are looking for policies that will ensure they lose the Election. :?
And I wouldn't want to inflict that on todays teenagers. It's almost like the Tories have got fed up with being in Government and are looking for policies that will ensure they lose the Election. :?
+ oneMr Tidy said:In my teens I would have been horrified to think I might have to do some sort of National Service!
And I wouldn't want to inflict that on todays teenagers. It's almost like the Tories have got fed up with being in Government and are looking for policies that will ensure they lose the Election. :?
Well I learnt today that an ancient tomb at my local church has been destroyed by vandals. All I see on social media these days is youths on Ebikes riding around Central London and I'm sure other inner cities snatching phones off people. Youths stealing Ebikes and scooters off the streets, peddling drugs etc etc, like a festering disease all of which is forever on the rise and yet nothing is done with deterrents in place. I'm in big favour of some kind of National Service or something similar and would go as far to consider bringing back corporal punishment. At least have some consequences for one's actions. The problem is this country is such a wuss, too scared to do anything and just carries on letting lawlessness prevail, it's really quite pathetic.
Other countries have the likes of National Service that go way beyond anything we've ever had and which I'm sure benefits from it and no doubt has a more respectful and law abiding society as a result.
Tim.
Other countries have the likes of National Service that go way beyond anything we've ever had and which I'm sure benefits from it and no doubt has a more respectful and law abiding society as a result.
Tim.
Vornwend said:
IMHO too expensive and practically impossible to bring in national service... but if you were to bring it back I'd be sorely tempted to make it 2 years for anyone who was privately educated or who got a criminal record as a kid, one year for anyone who has less than 5 GCSEs AND who hasn't got a decent apprenticeship. All those who are already constructive (apprentice plumber or electrician) or proved their worth by getting 5 GCSEs or more can get on with their lives.
Yeah, but that was your choice Martin. My dad did National Service and he said the only thing he learnt to do was skive. It also interrupted his apprenticeship.enuff_zed said:Ok. I was going to leave this one alone, but happy to say I’m just short of 60 and I think it’s a great idea.MarshMA10 said:
Oh and I did 23 and a half years ensuring we all remained free to exercise our varied opinions.
Does that make me a WIMPY?
Welcomed In My Pensionable Years.
MikeyH said:
Interestingly a study in Sweden where they have National conscription has shown that crime actually increases in younger age groups or they go on to more likely commit crime which surprised me.
The only way to tackle persistent trouble makers I can see is to lock em up simple as that and to have far stiffer sentences. There will be some that will be receptive to education and willing to change but the persistent offenders need taking out of the community for as long as it takes. Maybe bringing back corporal punishment is an option.
Unfortunately this weak kneed country lost its grip regarding crime an awfully long time ago.
Tim.
They do that in the USA. It doesn't work, apparently. More US citizens per capita are jailed than any other Country on Earth. They still have one of the highest crime rates. Prison is a breeding ground for criminals (and it costs the taxpayer a fortune).TitanTim said:
Needs to be dealt with on a social level, but it's too difficult for any Gov to think about. Would also take decades, which no Gov has the time for. So we just carry on trying to 'manage' the situation (very similar to non-working benefit claimers TBH).
