Any veterans on here? Serious question.

[glosterred]

RAF Reg looked after the compound I spent 6 months of my life in. Winter 1997 Banja Luka Metal factory.
Good solid dependable blokes.
Great nights on the piss with them.

I know but don't let them hear you say that  theres a reputation to keep up

RAF come in two forms.

1. RAF reg . Respect. Grafters. Front line. Proper soldiers.
2. The rest. Shiny arses. Nuff said.

Not RAF Regt but spent more time in the field than they did with my time doing outdoor comms for the RAF.

[normal rules]

RAF Reg looked after the compound I spent 6 months of my life in. Winter 1997 Banja Luka Metal factory.
Good solid dependable blokes.
Great nights on the piss with them.

I know but don't let them hear you say that  theres a reputation to keep up

RAF come in two forms.

1. RAF reg . Respect. Grafters. Front line. Proper soldiers.
2. The rest. Shiny arses. Nuff said.

Not RAF Regt but spent more time in the field than they did with my time doing outdoor comms for the RAF.

So you are sigs?

[normal rules]

Navy 90-99
Gulf and Bosnia
If they need anyone to parallel diesel generators or start gas turbines I'll get on my old ovies, n steaming bats. Not much call for guns down ships engine rooms.

Mate. Your service is valued. Respected and not forgotten. Every person counts.

[Dagenham Rover]

Navy 90-99
Gulf and Bosnia
If they need anyone to parallel diesel generators or start gas turbines I'll get on my old ovies, n steaming bats. Not much call for guns down ships engine rooms.

Mate. Your service is valued. Respected and not forgotten. Every person counts.

Every person that signed that blank cheque that could be up to and including their life for the freedom we now enjoy

[DRFCSouth]

Served from 02-11 in the RAF fixing aircraft. Still doing the same. Enjoyed my time in. Numerous Afghan tours.

Feel for the Ukrainian people and would hope we would all stand up if the same happened here.

[Highland Rover]

 Ex-RAF 1965-91 , last meaningful tour at MOD during Gulf War One , Mrs HR ex-WRAF , youngest son ex-RAF and a family of military service as far back at Waterloo mainly in the Royal Artillery . Both my parents served in the RAF , father-in-law on minesweepers WW2 , three grandads fought in and survived WW1
 Whilst on holiday in Nashville a couple of years ago , went to the Grand Old Opry where they celebrated a Veteran's night and the response from the audience to the veterans in attendance was amazing ! Included in the show was a performance from the Musicorps Wounded Warriors Band

[andy didcott]

Royal Navy for me, 1980-2005. 20 of those years at sea. Deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and the Falklands x4, plus many others.

[roversdude]

Respect to all who served

[IDM]

RAF 87-06, mostly flying a desk.  I was “lucky” not to be deployed to any conflict zones.  I use quote marks as this wasn’t by choice, more by of coincidence of postings to units which weren’t directly involved at the times.  The most interesting job I had in the UK which would be classed as operational, I can’t discuss the details.

I’m not necessarily advocating compulsory national service but I reckon society would benefit if more of our folks had a forces experience.

[andy didcott]

Has anyone served in the special forces.

[ridgewoodrover]

I served 9 years RAF regt, 79 to 88.
5 tours in N Ireland and a two year stint in Cyprus.
Never had the vitriol and downright ignorant nonsense the chaps get now off of other units.
Great to hear some positive feedback off chaps who actually worked around the regiment.
I’m a Cold War warrior, so they’d have to dig out an SLR for me if those ruskis ever came calling.

[Spud]

Interesting read this lads, respect, & a little bit of envy, to you all.

[Martyn1968]

23 years RN - 1985 to 2008 leaving as a PO Stoker. Various ships, type 22s, Survey, Assault, Sweepers. Gulf, Former Yugoslavia. Shoretime in Gibraltar, Falklands, PJHQ Northwood as well as Pompey, Guzz, Faslane/Rosyth

[IDM]

I served 9 years RAF regt, 79 to 88.
5 tours in N Ireland and a two year stint in Cyprus.
Never had the vitriol and downright ignorant nonsense the chaps get now off of other units.
Great to hear some positive feedback off chaps who actually worked around the regiment.
I’m a Cold War warrior, so they’d have to dig out an SLR for me if those ruskis ever came calling.

Worked daily with the RAF Regiment during the posting I can’t discuss.  Some characters there I can tell you.

I remember the first time I shot with the SLR, on the range.  Very first round slap bang in the centre of the little white square on the target board.  However I had underestimated the strength of the recoil and got whacked on the eye socket by the rear sight.  My grouping was shocking that day..

Although I did armed duties I thankfully never had to shoot at anyone in anger.

[BillyStubbsTears]

I served 9 years RAF regt, 79 to 88.
5 tours in N Ireland and a two year stint in Cyprus.
Never had the vitriol and downright ignorant nonsense the chaps get now off of other units.
Great to hear some positive feedback off chaps who actually worked around the regiment.
I’m a Cold War warrior, so they’d have to dig out an SLR for me if those ruskis ever came calling.

Worked daily with the RAF Regiment during the posting I can’t discuss.  Some characters there I can tell you.

I remember the first time I shot with the SLR, on the range.  Very first round slap bang in the centre of the little white square on the target board.  However I had underestimated the strength of the recoil and got whacked on the eye socket by the rear sight.  My grouping was shocking that day..

Although I did armed duties I thankfully never had to shoot at anyone in anger.

I've never served but I've had a similar experience. Had time in a range with a Steyr 50-cal rifle. As you, the first shot was bang centre. But the recoil was like the end of the world. I didn't hit a target after that because I knew I was getting kicked in the shoulder by a deranged mule every time I pulled the trigger.

Hats off to people who can operate those items while under fire. It's as far beyond my ken as understanding how a batsman can face a 95mph bowler and make rational and well executed strokes.

[DRFCSouth]

The RAF Reg were always brilliant to be around. Whether it be a day on the range, or pre op training.

Lots of operational experience amongst them, lots of stories and funny put downs.

[Pside]

Still in the RAF, joined in 2010, got 10 years left for my sins. RAF Reg get a bad rep sometimes but I’ve never had any drama with them (well maybe one or two)

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

Always find the stories fascinating in good and bad ways. My old man did 22 in the navy and I had many a childhood trip out on family days etc and some time living at bases.  I always wanted to join but the health restrictions killed that off.

[Dagenham Rover]

 

Has anyone served in the special forces.

I was on the balcony along with 9589 others I was at the back so you couldnt see me 

[gillinghamrover]

Ex RE- 1985 -1995
Gone full circle, now teach at 1 RSME,Chatham, teaching young (and old) RE`s how to kill themselves with electricity.

[normal rules]

Ex RE- 1985 -1995
Gone full circle, now teach at 1 RSME,Chatham, teaching young (and old) RE`s how to kill themselves with electricity.

Did you start out at Chepstow or Gib Barracks ?

[gillinghamrover]

Ex RE- 1985 -1995
Gone full circle, now teach at 1 RSME,Chatham, teaching young (and old) RE`s how to kill themselves with electricity.

Did you start out at Chepstow or Gib Barracks ?

85c Chepstow (E Coy)

[normal rules]

Ex RE- 1985 -1995
Gone full circle, now teach at 1 RSME,Chatham, teaching young (and old) RE`s how to kill themselves with electricity.

Did you start out at Chepstow or Gib Barracks ?

85c Chepstow (E Coy)

I was 86-88.
Lived in the block next to the NAAFI. 89 sqn.
Surveyor.

[Dagenham Rover]

Ex RE- 1985 -1995
Gone full circle, now teach at 1 RSME,Chatham, teaching young (and old) RE`s how to kill themselves with electricity.

Did you start out at Chepstow or Gib Barracks ?

85c Chepstow (E Coy)

I was 86-88.
Lived in the block next to the NAAFI. 89 sqn.
Surveyor.

 Bloody sprogs Southwood Camp rules  I was attached to the Aldershot Band when we moved from Southwood to Gib hated it frightened to death to touch anything luckily back to my own unit after a couple of weeks there 

[Goldthorperover]

Royal engineers 2003 - 09 for me. Did my stint at chatham (the nightclub was called the zone while i was there) and did 4 years at 28 engr regt in hameln (where the pied piper comes from) in Germany.

[normal rules]

Royal engineers 2003 - 09 for me. Did my stint at chatham (the nightclub was called the zone while i was there) and did 4 years at 28 engr regt in hameln (where the pied piper comes from) in Germany.

Amphibious.? Or was that 35 engr regt?

[Goldthorperover]

No it was my regiment, it was actually my squadron - 23 amphibious engineer squadron. I spent many a cold day on the river weser doing ramping out drills. It was a lovely part of the world hameln, very clean and the people were friendly enough. I remember every year a local would dress as the pied piper and little kids would be following him round dressed as rats. There was also a tower (or maybe a church?) And when the clock struck the hour this pied piper would come out like on a cuckoo clock play a little tune on his pied pipe and go back in again. I remember seeing that as a 20 year old wondering what was going on then thinking ah well, im off to get pi55ed in alladdins. Good times.

[normal rules]

No it was my regiment, it was actually my squadron - 23 amphibious engineer squadron. I spent many a cold day on the river weser doing ramping out drills. It was a lovely part of the world hameln, very clean and the people were friendly enough. I remember every year a local would dress as the pied piper and little kids would be following him round dressed as rats. There was also a tower (or maybe a church?) And when the clock struck the hour this pied piper would come out like on a cuckoo clock play a little tune on his pied pipe and go back in again. I remember seeing that as a 20 year old wondering what was going on then thinking ah well, im off to get pi55ed in alladdins. Good times.

M3 or m4 rigs?

[Dagenham Rover]

All these RE Vets  on here   Was the "Icebox" still about in youre days? I think it was a 28 bar!  once met a lass in there turned out her hubby was a right villain and in prison lets say I was glad i wasnt there when he came out   I could well have ended up in the Weser with concrete boots on

[Metalmicky]

RAF also - 24 years man and boy.  Lucky enough to have served most my time overseas - 3 year tours in Germany twice (Gutersloh and Bruggen), The Netherlands (AFCENT - Brunssum) and Denmark (CAOC - Finderup).  Also managed to squeeze in tours in the Falklands, Gulf 1, and Pristina on operational tours and did loads of detachments in Cyprus and the States. I did manage to do a tour at Finningley back at the start of my career and enjoyed two Air shows at DN9.

I still work with the RAF, but think that I left at the right time - it's a different force today IMO...