Staggering Statistic for London

IronGiant

And whose fault is that?  Our generation I expect...

officerdibble11

There is an awful lot of shouting and beasting in the first few days, the one thing that realy cheesed me off was when i went to the recruitment office I specifically asked if they still shaved your head, nah he said they havent done that for years, whats under your beret is yours. Within the first hour of being on base they marched us down to the barbers, shaved our heads and made us pay for it!

Goooner

We seem to get the blame for everything else these days, so why not?

Toko Black

You stupid old racist!

Bl4ckGryph0n

Well they are our generations kids and we raised em

.... well not me, so I am off the hook

Bl4ckGryph0n

Perhaps I'm not getting this game, but how about Soldiers Shoot Socialists

Bl4ckGryph0n

Yup, I've done it and still got the blisters on my feet. Basic training was the same for everyone, and I say a lot of 'lost' guys get back on their feet. The basic disciplines of regularly getting up in the morning, making yourself presentable on time for inspection, getting fit again, doing what you are told, addressing others appropriately, and pushing yourself beyond your low thresholds. Ultimately seen them transform into leaders, team players, reliable co-workers. And for many they also learned highly transferable skills.

Those that didn't make it we shot, or if they were nice we marked them as mentally ill and they could leave

Bl4ckGryph0n

I still have a size 12 boot print on my back from my sergeant fire arms instructor. First lesson and idiot me started to turn around with a loaded browning in my hand, he wasn't taking any chances. And guess what I never ever done that again. Saying please and thank you just doesn't work in certain situations.

I never forget the lessons on hand to hand combat either. I swear they pick on those going on to become an officer as they can during the training But yes the demonstration was rather physical as before I knew it my air was out of me, automatically I crouched and bang I was out backwards by the second blow. No lasting damage nor visible marks, but damn it hurt. But no point running away, it is all about preparation and learning to do it to someone else.

But don't worry we didn't use each other for bayonet training

la gran siete

It all depends on how you bring them up. Last weekend was hilarious, my eldest (14) and I were walking out dog through our countryside. And the usual Duke of Edinburgh kids were hiking about the country side around our home. As a side note most are absolutely wonderful, so polite and chatty, or when they are not I do recognise the teenage grunts. Anyway they took a short cut like we sometimes do as well and did on that day. My daughter and I both in our shorts. We heard the screaming and cries from afar and were like what is that, and yes Duke of Edingburgh kids. Long trousers, rain jackets, big backpacks and they tried to walk through a slightly overgrown old path that had brambles and nettles and all sorts going on.

It was hilarious hearing these boy cry and move 'like a girly girly' to try and avoid a nettle, and scream when they were pricked.

So my daughter and I (in our shorts) said good morning, asked whether they knew where they were going and needed help, and with tears in their eyes they said they were fine. We then proceeded to just walk straight through it, turned around and waved them goodbye...

I think the programme is great, but yes I do think it is sad that many don't seem to get some of the basics in life. But at least learn it when a bit older, yet some never do...

And don't get me started on the beautiful cobwebs on the side of the paths, really thick and deep funnels, always freaks them out....hehehe

Enki

As more and more jobs become automated and a  basic income for all is put in place people will have a lot more free time on their hands and no one will get worked about "benefits scroungers" because there will be none. Benefit recipients have never bothered me.
As more people have more free time on their hands, rather than trying to turn them into phony soldiers(conscription)  they should be encouraged to use their increased leisure hours more productively, perhaps by learning new skills or doing some voluntary work for the community or they could take up a sport.There will never ever be a reason for some to get worked about benefit scroungers anymore.The work ethic will change