RMweb Premium Compound2632 Posted May 27 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 27 5 minutes ago, Dave Hunt said: Believe me that the last thing the RAF will want is twelve months national servicemen in its ranks. The chances of any of them reaching a useful degree of knowledge and training in under twelve months so they could be of use for any appreciable time is about the same as a whelk in a supernova and all it would do would be to take up the time and effort, as well as funds, from those who can be of much better use. My father was one of the last generation of National Servicemen. After Basic Training, he was posted to RAF Valley, where (being in civilian life a librarian) he was allocated a mundane clerical job. At the end of his service, he said to his commanding officer, who is going to do this job once you've got no more National Servicemen to do it? To which the reply was, Oh we'll probably stop doing it, it wasn't really worth doing anyway. So, six months of my life wasted, thinks my father. He said National Service only taught one lesson: never volunteer. Is that a good and proper thing to be teaching young men (and women) who one wants to turn into good citizens? 13 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pH Posted May 27 Share Posted May 27 7 hours ago, Compound2632 said: Knowing that the party is inevitably going to lose is perhaps the opportunity to write the manifesto that you've always wanted to write but couldn't because you knew it would alienate the majority. (It's the sort of thing Labour has come close to doing on occasion!) That’s the theme of “The Candidate” starring Robert Redford. (Spoiler - he wins!) 8 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium polybear Posted May 27 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 27 43 minutes ago, Dave Hunt said: I see it as an opportunity to carry out some much needed crimson lake missionary work in this heathen (Greasy Wet and Rusty) part of the country Bear. Dave And scoff free Cake. 6 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Happy Hippo Posted May 27 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted May 27 35 minutes ago, Dave Hunt said: Believe me that the last thing the RAF will want is twelve months national servicemen in its ranks. The chances of any of them reaching a useful degree of knowledge and training in under twelve months so they could be of use for any appreciable time is about the same as a whelk in a supernova and all it would do would be to take up the time and effort, as well as funds, from those who can be of much better use. Dave Agreed, there is no way they could even trim the edges of the cricket pitch with scissors, let alone brushing the parade square with their toothbrushes. As for painting all the coal stocks white to prevent theft..... 14 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Happy Hippo Posted May 27 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted May 27 1 hour ago, Dave Hunt said: I see it as an opportunity to carry out some much needed crimson lake missionary work in this heathen (Greasy Wet and Rusty) part of the country Bear. Dave Such dedication is much appreciated, especially as we've no one to bate having run the JW and Mormons out of town. 4 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted May 27 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 27 I see conscription as utterly out of step with the way society has changed in the UK. When it was abolished more than 60 years ago, societal behaviour was much more consensual, not unrelated to the fact that so many had come through a long war in which people really did have to pull together. And the military was still far more numerous, and set up to take reluctant teens and turn them into something almost useful, as had been going on since that conflict. The average teen these days is much more empowered and has opinions, many of which would be at considerable odds with traditional military values based upon discipline and obedience. 3 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Happy Hippo Posted May 27 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted May 27 31 minutes ago, polybear said: And scoff free Cake. Last time Dave bought extra supplies of cake with him! 7 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium SM42 Posted May 27 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 27 17 minutes ago, Happy Hippo said: Agreed, there is no way they could even trim the edges of the cricket pitch with scissors, let alone brushing the parade square with their toothbrushes. As for painting all the coal stocks white to prevent theft..... The last bit is simple. Open coal store door. Throw in bucket or two of whitewash. Worked for railway wagons over here. Andy 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMKAT7 Posted May 27 Share Posted May 27 Good afternoon folks, My dad was allowed to complete his apprenticeship at the age of 21 before being called up for National Service. He always related that if he signed up for 5 years he got paid more than those who did the 2 years. After those 5 years as an engine fitter on Avro Lincolns he then joined Rolls Royce and never looked back. He always referred to the RAF as "The Mob" , not to be confused with the Sicilian brotherhood 😂 Cheers, Nigel. 12 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium PhilJ W Posted May 27 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 27 Instead of National Service it would be better to bring back the YTS (Youth Training Scheme). I was involved with it as part of my job but only on the edges. The London Borough I worked for employed a brilliant group to run the scheme. They had the interests of the young people on the scheme at heart which was the main idea. Their first job was to find placements for the youngsters which IMHO they did brilliantly. Most of them went to different council departments and some even ended up having careers with the council. For example the building maintenance department took on a considerable number many of which went on to apprenticeships with the department. In fact the vast majority of trainees got a career from the training scheme. 12 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium SM42 Posted May 27 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 27 (edited) I managed about 3 hours of train watching today and also had an air show put on by Poland's finest. F16s taking off and a helicopter gunship fly past. Meanwhile at ground level, the usual procession of EMUs and 3 freight trains interspersed with some SM42 action shunting the container terminal provided the entertainment between the aircraft displays. It's been 28c today and clouds started to bubble up, so I decided to run for home ahead of the rain. It got very windy for while and a few drops fell, but the airport weather ray seems to be working and it all mysteriously passed us ( and the nearby airport) by, despite looking like a sure fire deluge was coming our way. Andy Edited May 27 by SM42 19 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Northmoor Posted May 27 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 27 1 hour ago, Dave Hunt said: Believe me that the last thing the RAF will want is twelve months national servicemen in its ranks. The chances of any of them reaching a useful degree of knowledge and training in under twelve months so they could be of use for any appreciable time is about the same as a whelk in a supernova and all it would do would be to take up the time and effort, as well as funds, from those who can be of much better use. Dave Has any Army, Navy or Air Force in the world ever become an improved fighting force, with the addition of conscripts? 2 1 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium polybear Posted May 27 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 27 20 minutes ago, Oldddudders said: The average teen these days is much more empowered and has opinions, many of which would be at considerable odds with traditional military values based upon discipline and obedience. Sounds like the teachings of an old-school RSM would do them the power of good.... 2 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium polybear Posted May 27 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 27 6 minutes ago, Northmoor said: Has any Army, Navy or Air Force in the world ever become an improved fighting force, with the addition of conscripts? South Korea...... 3 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pH Posted May 27 Share Posted May 27 10 hours ago, AndyID said: That's an interesting point. Can I vote in the UK elections? I suspect the answer is no because I have not lived there for 42 years but I'm still a UK citizen 🤔 Here you go: 5 1 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyID Posted May 27 Share Posted May 27 1 minute ago, pH said: Here you go: Wow! Thanks. Not sure I would have any idea who to vote for so I'll probably pass 😀 1 7 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted May 27 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 27 14 minutes ago, polybear said: Sounds like the teachings of an old-school RSM would do them the power of good.... I'm sure that is what the party's policy wonk hopes you will think. 2 8 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium polybear Posted May 27 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 27 15 minutes ago, AndyID said: Wow! Thanks. Not sure I would have any idea who to vote for so I'll probably pass 😀 Vote Bear. You know it makes sense...... 2 1 1 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pH Posted May 27 Share Posted May 27 1 minute ago, polybear said: Vote Bear. You know it makes sense...... Will they let you into the polling station like that? 2 1 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Dave Hunt Posted May 27 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 27 1 hour ago, Happy Hippo said: Last time Dave bought extra supplies of cake with him! This is a supreme example of an unsubtle hint as befits the Prince of Pachyderms. Dave 2 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Dave Hunt Posted May 27 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 27 31 minutes ago, polybear said: Vote Bear. You know it makes sense...... Is that for the Curly Fries, Pizza and Cake Party? Dave 2 1 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Fox 34F Posted May 27 Share Posted May 27 8 hours ago, Happy Hippo said: When hippos rule the world, we will will apply our considerable weight to the issue of the earth not being flat. By the time we have finished stamping and rolling around, it will be! Are trying to flatten the Earth or make pastry?????? Hat, Coat, Gone back to Romania Paul 2 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium J. S. Bach Posted May 27 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 27 15 minutes ago, Dave Hunt said: Is that for the Curly Fries, Pizza and Cake Party? Dave I'm on board for that PARTY!!!! 10 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium J. S. Bach Posted May 27 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 27 An early Night Owl from the Piedmont today. 3 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium figworthy Posted May 27 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 27 3 hours ago, PhilJ W said: Instead of National Service it would be better to bring back the YTS (Youth Training Scheme). We had one of those at work. He referred to himself as a Young Teenage Slave. Adrian 1 14 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now