Military Connections?

[crazydave]

Dave,
Do you have any personal experience of this at all? If so, would you mind PMing me with some details of who you spoke to and what you said? The reason I ask is that I recently tried to arrange a bushcraft meet at a local woodland owned by the MOD and was pretty much laughed at and told to p*** off. ( He did actually use those words )

If its an army training area then you have the right to use it just like they are riddled with bridal paths and public footpaths. The boundries of every range and training area should have a board on it giving you information on who to contact regards access. normally you only have to make sure that there is no live firing going on by the local TA units.

If they get awkward then you can back door it by approaching cadet units or the local TA psi's as they can help you with connections. Or find an MOD press officer as they are always desperate for good press.

I could well be that you were getting some backlash about bushcraft from the military in the same way paintballers and renactors do. They are often scornfull of those they consider walters prancing about pretending to do what they consider their primary skillsets, its similar to the survival or bushcraft arguament. Dont feel victimised though as its normally boredom speaking and they slag Bear Grylls off as much as Ray Mears, they still love Lofty and Eddie though so it might be worth asking if you can hold a survival training exercise ('bushcraft are you tough enough'!) instead as they will understand that.

Salisbury plain is huge but not very accomodating for bushcraft/survival training. there are thousands of little sites belonging to the mod attached to the sides of their properties and not all are on their websites in which case you approach the civvy estates manager with beer or a teatime biscuit box.

The same goes for forestry commision land if they know then they dont normally mind as long as its watched over, they hold their own survival/woodcraft events so would be used to it and would probably allow use of the same areas. Country parks also do fungi and plant walks so again would welcome input and participation.

Scout sites as well but be prepared to make a donation and cook on altar fires as they dont allow ground fires for (unfounded in reality) safety reasons. To book those just contact the warden to make sure the area is free, there's always a wild area you can use but they require you to pad the trees if you want to sling a hammock.

Its not a bad idea to invite the various parties along to repay the favour and get them onside. scout and cadet leaders will join in on anything as will military staff if there's beer involved

Also scout/cadet units normally have rudimental knowledge and would welcome new input to get the kids interested if you fancy trying to teach what you know.

this might help as a general guide and lets face it you cant make more mess than bored troops do.

http://www.army.mod.uk/ate/public/salisplain.htm

found this one - www.defence-estates.mod.uk/access/walks/walks/walks_reindenwood.htm - 10k -

its a dry training area which means no live ammo or impact areas, these are used by weekend organisations and if you get any grief then right to your MP as every bugger else just 'trespasses' but you get penalised for being polite

if you still have an issue then my little brother is being rtu'd soon and being a rupert should be able to help us out with protocol.

everyone will be forest/land fire jumpy though, especially if we are due another 'drought' so be prepared to make assurances that the land will be safe and take hobo stoves or a hibatchi

just though of national trust land as well, if you help one of their conservation/land management weekends they should be responsive.

If you are just training or enjoying nature without the big fire and teepee then get the wives to drop you off at one side of a training area on friday night, sling up or bivvy down and do a slow ramble accross the training area getting picked up on sunday. out of site out of mind and all that.

 

[traderran]

68 to 72 south east asia war games

 

[crazydave]

68 to 72 south east asia war games

where abouts? I'm assuming that 68 was your first and 72 was your second tour using the three year rule unless of course you'ld been very naughty and were staying in Long binh jail for the full four

 

[-Switch-]

Dave,

Thanks for your reply to my post. Loads of info mate, nice one

:You_Rock_

 

[peds8045]

Ex Cavalry of 22 yrs service. Used to love going on exercise and living in the woods....hated the early morning radio watch and 'crash outs'.

I tend to steer clear of DPM now due to the stigma associated to it from 'non ex military' types. Don't mind others wearing though.

Current workload is keeping me out the woods....need to get out and relax....soon!

 

[GlenM]

Royal Signals for me, as everyone else who has answered this thread i feel that a start

in the military has helped with my love of all things outdoors.

That said, its a real hothouse out there now and they cant quite sell it like they used to.

Afganistan, Iraq are challenging postings and every soldier is gonna earn every minute.

Not that that's gonna deter anyone of our boy's or girls.
.



.

 

[woodstock]

Ex Recce troop 2nd sabre troop attached to the Queens own.gave me a taste for outdoor survival for sure,:AR15firin have used skills taught for over 20 years been hunting for about 38 years

 

[Northern Giant UK]

Well no military service myself but tried to join the RAF at 17 passed all but the final interview I seem to recall it was with a warrant officer from Hull, hated the guy at the time but would thank him now. nothing against the forces but definitely not for me.

As for military kit, I use my Millbank regularly and tho it's slow it does a fantastic job on the local (usually pretty brown) river water. As I see it most military kit is tried n tested to destruction and more than strong enough for me so I like it but I use whatever I find useful, I wouldn't use ANY kit just for its look or it's army usage.

DPM or NOT. . . well I recently got myself a Highlander Forces 88 with the option of olive or DPM well not much in it but just cos (IMHO) it looks better i chose DPM, frankly I couldn't care less what onlookers think it's my money etc. and besides @ 6 foot 8 I don't get much chelp from anyone anyway lol

Kev

 

[traderran]

where abouts? I'm assuming that 68 was your first and 72 was your second tour using the three year rule unless of course you'ld been very naughty and were staying in Long binh jail for the full four

Was not that lucky.I was a fly boy hues and gun ships
I was a captain in the first air Calv. Was all over the Nam.

 

[pibbleb]

As others I got my love of the outdoors from my grandad and dad. Being from the North East originally, my Grandad would take me out on the Weardales and my old man would take me out in Keilder!

My Grandad served in the Navy. My old man started military life with the Royal Marines but left to follow a career in the NHS, soon got bored and obtained a commission in the Army, retiring last year at 53 ,his last tour being in Iraq, coalition headquarters as a LT Col.

It followed I ended up in the Marine Cadets, TA whilst doing my A levels, offered commission with the PWRR. Got messy when I met a girl, settled down deciding I didn't want to be the father mine was so turned my back on it all. Yes probably the single most stupid thing I've ever done! Went back to the TA Which I left when my Battalion was disbanded.

I use some military kit but make a point of not looking military if I can help it. I like the cold weather stuff mainly because of it's cheapness. Civilian alternatives just seem so expensive in comparrison. I also use a PLCE Bergan but again this because I find the civilain alternatives so expensive, that said I would dearly love a nice 100litre karrimor. I don't get why people want to trot around wearing a full set of fighting order, but I appreciate it is a personal choice it just troubles me a little, I don't know why and no offence meant.

I was helping a friend out marshaling a Scout night hike once and was introduced to a guy who looked like he'd just stepped out of the Marine 30 miler across Dartmoor. Turns out this guy had told everyone he was ex- military, done a lot of stuff 'he can't talk about', you know the sort. Anyway it soon became clear that the closest he'd come to serving was in the surplus store where he'd bought his kit. As soon as he realised he'd been rumbled he was off like a shot, I get a bit worried about this kind of guy!

Pib

 

[Mikey P]

As soon as he realised he'd been rumbled he was off like a shot, I get a bit worried about this kind of guy!

Pib

I think I know him - Sergeant Mitty? Walter Mitty? I'm always constantly amazed at the number of people who tap the sides of their noses and say 'Can't talk about what I did, know what I mean?'.

Even as a serving military man, I was unaware that the UK special forces had over 45000 men working for them. They've kept that bit very secret.

 

[11binf]

here in the U.S. we have our unfair share of posers/walter mitty's who served and those who had never been in uniform...i find them more so of the vietnam vet types,it seems to me that no soldier in vietnam was ever a cook,truck driver,or laundry man in rear area support.. they were all airborne infantry, rangers,green beret...when you find them it's easy to make them uncomfortable, when you ask them who they where with ie. Div.,regt.,what caliber the M-16 is or the 5 paragraphs of an op.order....even today i find posers with some of these young kids who claim to be something they are not...there is T-totaly nothing wrong with serving as a cook,truck driver or any non-combat m.o.s...who cares! just as long as you served your country....vince g. 11b inf...

 

[combatblade1]

I work as a Police officer in Northern Ireland do you think that would count as military?

 

[pibbleb]

I remember my old man speaking with the utmost respect about a part time RUC member who was also a Doctor.

So for the stuff you guys went through and the continued work of the new Police Service of Northern Ireland gives you the right to be counted!

IMHO

Pib

 

[Mikey P]

I work as a Police officer in Northern Ireland do you think that would count as military?

Why not? You've probably seen more action than most of the people I work with.

 

[Jedadiah]

I work as a Police officer in Northern Ireland do you think that would count as military?

I would agree with Mikey P. It brings to mind a time when i had the pleasure of meeting Steve Collins (SO19). His lot ran into some SAS CRW guy's (Black nomex coverall's etc) whilst training. Apparently they were looking down their collective noses at the Met guy's until the instructor mentioned that the SO19 fella's had done more hostage rescues in one twelve month period than the CRW guy's had ever done! That will be some ego's going back into the lunch box's when they get the humble pie out .

 

[Freds Dad]

Please don't get me wrong. I have great admiration for all those who sign up to serve their fellow countrymen, to all those past who have made the ultimate sacrifice so I can do what the hell I want (within reason). My father was on Anzio so i have had it drummed into me how important the armed forces are. I sadly was too much of a long haired lefty in the late seventies and early eighties to join up. I now look back with great regret at an opportunity missed. However. I do ask the question, what has this subject got to do with me making nettle cordage, eating the correct mushroom and how to find my way off a mountain in the fog? etc, etc. I do worry a bit that this wonderful site and facility for sharing information will turn into something that our dear chums across the pond turn out which sadly is only suitable for the 'Montana malitia' up in the hills. I think we should stick to 'how to have fun in the woods' and learning neat skills than worrying if conscription would be a good thing. valid, as this question would be in another place.

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

Something like 1/3 of the Army is recruited from northern England, and another 1/3 from Scotland - which speaks volumes.

So what does it say about 1/3 who are scottish ??

Tradition ? Tuffness ? An enjoyment of the outdoors ?

Nick

 

[Robby]

Never served, loved the Idea but hated the idea of having to take orders from some-one I didn't like or respect because it was the done thing. My Dad served with the Cameronian's in Aden and Oman and never spoke about it. I only found out lately that when he was there it was an "active" conflict. We have a picture of my Dad recovering in an army hospital bed after his entire squad were nearly killed by their officers ineptitude and unwillingness to listen to the Sergeant telling him his navigation skills were non existant.

My interest in the out doors comes from my Mum who traipsed us across half of Scotland. Something for which I owe her a great debt of gratitude. It was compounded by my Uncle who was a scout-master and ex militaryand that was where our outdoor training in the scouts was taken from.

As to the subject of wannabe's, most of my friends have some form of military experience and I have known one or two that have been special forces and the general rule I've found is if they can't talk about it it's because they didn't do it. The ones that did do it just won't talk about it at all. no hints or nose tapping. Just plain won't.

kitwise yes I do use surplus black or green but don't really go for DPM. I live in Scotland so the bright neon civi stuff is midge heaven.Guarenteed to have you eaten alive. black or dark green is way better.

 

[Toadflax]

their officers ineptitude and unwillingness to listen to the Sergeant

From personal experience as a junior officer myself, I could never work out how a subaltern straight out of training could effectively lead a troop or platoon of experienced soldiers. I had the utmost respect for the majority of the SNCOs and, despite having two pips on my shoulders, I found it difficult to integrate with some of the arrogant b***ds who occupied the Officers's Mess with me. IMHO, the small sized units of the British Army (and probably most armies) are run by the SNCOs, with the officer in the majority of cases being a figurehead. I'm probably generalising, and there must be a lot of good officers.

I regret that my S/Sgt didn't do what I heard some do where they effectively bust the new officer down to private and make him learn everything that the Sappers, Corporals and Sergeants do before he was allowed to command the troop.

One of the most important lessons I learned from my time (though I think that this was a part of my nature in any case) was to avoid operating "double standards". I have seen this far too many times in civilian life, where senior managers have one set of rules but expect their staff to follow a completely different set. And they wonder why the staff despise them.

I must stop ranting now as this is going way off topic for this thread!



Geoff