I still sit with. Y back to a wall, still watch who comes and goes through all the doors, still watch for unattended bags, and still walk down the street checking windows and doorways, as well as eyeing all the vehicles coming from front and rear, and I'm in my 70's
A mate of mine got a job working as a facilities manager in a large office building. a female member of staff went into his office and complained that the building was a bit chilly his response was well then put on a fucking jumper. 😂😂😂😂😂
I once went for a job and sat in a room with 9 other candidates. Within minutes the two ex-servicemen had discovered each other and started chatting while the other 8 civvies just sat there, mute. Ever experienced that? One night as a security officer at a private hospital I was on with a Kiwi ex-armoured trooper. We sat at the table next to two other tables, both full of tradesmen in to do work overnight. One table spoke mostly in Spanish, the other in Russian. I listened in for a few moments, knowing maybe five words in each language but it wasn't the words that struck home; it was the vibe. I said to my mate 'they're swapping warries!" So we pulled up a sandbag each between the two tables and found out there was an Ecuadorean sailor, a Russian paratrooper, a Hungarian soldier, a Chilean MP, a Mexican soldier and a Polish air force ground crew. We switched to English (mostly) and spent the next two hours laughing and crying and realising it matters not which uniform you wore, just that you wore one. We all had similar stories and experiences.
You can always tell an ex serviceman. You just can't tell em much. As for sitting with my back to the wall it's not an option when the wife is with me. She's a people watcher so tend to be facing the wrong way which is uncomfortable so always looking over my shoulder. I don't know why. It's not like I've been shot at.
As a kid I used to ask my Dad (27 years service) to go camping. His reply was "I did enough camping in the army'. We went three times. When I left the army after 8 years people asked me if I wanted to go camping. Took about five years before I stopped saying; wait for it.... "I did enough camping in the army." I camp regularly now and love it but it took my own service to better understand my dad's mindset. By the time he died when I was 60 we understood each other, and our shared view on most civvies. Last movie we saw together was 'Danger Close', the Battle of Long Tan. We shared a hug and a tear and didn't care what the other people in the cinema thought. Lest We Forget
A very truthful and touching story of you and your Father, thank you for telling it so openly and honestly it's very much appreciated. I too use to sit with my Dad (also a veteran), and watch old war movies, and like you it's left me with some special memories that I have forever. Thank you
Good man,my dad was in Korea and Malaya.loved my stories when I came home Watched all the big war movies together I have his notes about Korea and Malaya,escaped death once Got blown up by a overinflated truck tyre,casevac back to canp,all his csm was interested in was where his cigarette ration was? Said he swapped them with a medic for a Mars bar I guess we all have stories maybe we should post them on here share the laughs
Still like it after 20 years. I still choose my spot carefully in a bar or restaurant. The worst for me was coming back from Bosnia, with the the mine issue. I just couldn't walk on rough ground. Screamed at my young daughter when she ran onto the grass.i was in a mess for ages. Also after another 'interesting' deployment I won't say where, I was driving with my two daughters in the car, all was fine, but something happened can't say what exactly, and to me I was back. I scared my girls. I used bad language, something I never did in front of the children. Weird and worrying. I still feel it all. Sometimes it's funny and comforting in a strange way, but mostly now it's not good. My wife says to me in the morning, ' you were on duty last night'. I know because I'm exhausted. Still, when I joined, I meant it, what else can one say. I don't think we ever really finish do we?
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd it was. I was in Sarajevo in a staff job. I went for a run along the river with a Norwegian colleague. Things had quietened down a bit by then. I had rigged a way to carry my browning in a daysack whilst I was out, with the lanyard round my neck. Anyway, the peace didn't last long. Not much one can do with a couple of pistols, but we had a go, aiming at the second floor of flats just over the river. Outgunned, we couldn't go anywhere, but luckily for us, an Italian Carabinieri armoured car pulled up next to us, opened up on the building, and got us away. The thing that remains in my mind is the bloody squeaky brakes on the thing. They were all like it, hardly tactical. Still, didn't stop me tabbing lol. It's all a longer story, many stories, but it'll do for now. A sad place.....then I met my Waterloo in Kosovo 5 years later. C'est la vie eh?
I did seven years back in the eighties, and it's very much a past life. I have to say Keith, you are a natural in your delivery of these video and make them interesting without some of the BS certain verterans come out with on their channels. Keep up the good work.
Cheers Geoff, that's very good and encouraging 👍. I don't edit or script or even rehearse my video I just think of a subject and have a chat to the camera lol. Thank you again for your support 🙏
After 20yrs in the mob 10 of those on operations I don't miss it at all. I chose to close the door & not keep in touch with anyone I served with. I've spent the last 2 decades working on armed contracts in the middle-east with all ex-servicemen and the banter is still there. I also live in NI and after serving multiple tours there during good & bad times. I'll never live on the mainland again as its been lost to failed multiculturalism and I don't recognise my home town anymore.
Leaving the Forces can be a shock to the system. Don’t forget you learn a lot of transferable skills. You have discipline, punctuality, reliability, trainability, honesty. If you can put these across at an interview you’ll go far. Anyway another good video Sir.
I agree, although I’m not ex-service my employer makes a point of encouraging ex-service to the company, the two directors in charge of my department are- 1st one ex REME WO2 and 2nd one ex Para Reg, they’re both great fun and out of ear shot of the more stuffy senior staff revert back to service banter which I totally get having many friends amongst the service community 👍
Hi, just discovered your channel and find your videos great. I joined the Army in 1985, but was medically discharged after an injury during basic training. I got better and then joined the TA (now Army Reserve) and was in for 10 years. I didn’t do any operational tours like the Reserves can do now, but just remember my mates, the bond we had, teamwork, ranges, exercises and all that. I really miss it, and have the utmost respect for anyone in the Army, Regular or Reserve.
Mike well done mate you did your service, its really not about how many tours or medals veterans have , it's the fact that you served mate, that's what's important 👍
The reason the number of subscribers is increasing is that this guy relates to so many thousands of us. Long may he continue uploading these chats. When, as a civvy, did we stop checking under our cars? After 14 years, in 1980, I finished as a Corporal ( long and boring story why) and at my first job interview for a job as a Project Co-Ordinator, the General Manager of the department was an ex-RAF Corporal. He looked at my CV and said Corporals had the worst job in the Forces because all the tasks would be passsed down from Officers, through the WOs to the (in my case, being REME) Tiffys and to the section Sergeant. He would then detail a Corporal to see the job was done. Once it was done, the credit was passed on all the way back up the chain of command! Anyway, all that aside, he took me round to see all the staff and asked me whan I could start. I stayed there for 6 years, becoming a Design Engineer and remained in the same industry until I finally retired in 2015.
Having served 8yrs in the Army (infantry) I moved onto another career .. within a week I was called into an office and told that my squaddie humour wouldn’t cut it there . Apparently people were taking the pisstaking to heart bless ‘em. Miss the laughs in the regiment but not all the back to basics bollox after operational tours.
💯 m8 I was facilities manger in an establishment and did freight in a shipping company in both counts I was told tone it down you can't tell people what to do anymore . I got told I was a bully for berating some one who was persistently late WTF ???I said what's the point of being a supervisor then ???
@@matthewbishop9342 great life out here m8 told a guy constantly not to park in a blue box space he said I find your attitude and behaviour very threatening towards me boo hoo 😢
@roberthewer2268 I've been called into the office quite a few times for my 'behaviour'. I've tried explaining, but civvies just don't get the sense of humour, the hard work, or attention to detail. I was told I work too hard and make the others look bad on one occasion too
I did 22 years in the Royal Navy 73 - 95, left as a Chief Petty Officer...my transition into civilian life was difficult, challenging, frustrating, some of it down to me at times and what appeared to be, my unwillingness to compromise in their eyes, in mine, not lowering my standards, which I considered unprofessional. Me and HR were constant companions, with lots of please explain chats. Reality is I never truly adapted it was more an uneasy peace. Now retired for 8 years, living the life in Western Australia 🇦🇺 a newly minted shackle dragger. Still have an unhealthy obsession with time keeping, always early, not a fan of tardiness, still meticulously plan things, retain a dark sense of humour and retain the habit of being able to drink like a Royal Naval sailor when required although recovery time now runs into days 👍. RN social media sites has, allowed me to stay in contact with my old shipmates, travelled back last year for a reunion and a 50th anniversary of joining the mob with old classmates, the bond remains as strong as ever. Something civilians can never understand. Absent Friends 🍻
10 minutes early and you're on time. Arrive at the time and you're late. Something my wife never will understand and we got married in 1970 when I still had 10 years left in the Army! You would have thought she'd have cottoned on but she never has, bless her!
Even today 40 years after leaving the forces, I never sit with my back to the door. I was a member of the RBL near me until they closed down and sold it off.
I'd love to start up and run an ex servicemans club. What a hoot that would be. Have a nice drop in centre for the lads and lasses that just want to chat as well.
Felt lost when I left, missed my mates, missed the travels, the life, different life in civy street, strange but I still feel programed lol g8 video 🎉🎉🎉
@@rayjennings3637 yeah and the odd sir gets slipped in now and again but I don’t think that’s a bad thing,it’s about respect.something that’s sadly lacking these days
I quit the BL when Private Smith on the committee became Lieut general on the door, As in my brother had travelled up from York to visit me in FIFE, after a tea, we went down to the legion for a few wets, it was 21:20 No guests after 21:00 no addmittance but it was OK for me to stay as I was a serving member Private Smith GFYS along with my returned card
That is absolutely shocking , can't believe some civvie dickhead has the power to refuse veterans entry and their brother ! Sorry and disgusted to hear of this Jack .
Remember assiduously checking the weather forecast every morning before I went off to work - took a while before it dawned on me that it didn't matter anymore - I was office based! Took an awfully long time for me to stop asking for my tea/coffee as NATO, when asked how I like it, lol. As another ex-vet said to me when I was coming out of the Army - you'll never be a civilian, you'll always be an ex-squaddie. Very true! Loving the videos, really pulling in loads of old memories, so thanks, mate.
Despite it being a very, very long time ago I still do things like that. One of my daughters is very much like me, she automatically assess situations and in she goes. These videos bring back so many memories.
I had never heard of decompression until i went to Bosnia, we certainly didn't have it in NI. We sat at DJ Barracks at Split for three days, we just wanted to get home. I went to Iraq when I was in the TA, we got back to Chilwell on the Saturday and I was home on Monday. And that was only because I couldn't be arsed humping my kit on the train, so I waited till Monday to hire a car.
Ex copper here, didn’t do military service but did 32 years in the job, 27 in uniform and 5 years support staff. I’m in an unusual position along with my wife (who also didn’t serve) of being RBL members. We live in Malta and have joined the Malta GC branch, we are poppy appeal collectors and we are coming to the end of our third year of doing this, we love doing it and never get tired of hearing people’s stories. Last year we were invited to join. Malta GC branch is slowly fading, a lot of the membership is getting too old now and there are no younger members coming in, an effect of Brexit is that less people are coming to Malta to retire, the process is far more difficult. During my service I worked alongside many ex forces so have been familiar with services humour for at least 3 decades, policeman humour is similarly dark too. Curiously I found that the higher the rank of the person the more of a struggle they had with adjusting to life as a civilian. Others have commented on issues such as unpunctuality, it wasn’t tolerated in the police either, I had a job with Red Cross Malta for a while as a first aid instructor and found myself being praised not just for turning up to do my job but for turning up early ready to start on time! Really curious.. I talked about it to my manager and was told all sorts of horror stories of instructors rocking up late or phoning in sick an hour before the course was due to start. The problems in the civilian world are (I believe) deeply rooted in the erosion of discipline in society, discipline is a dirty word now, it has been eroded away in the education system to the point where any adult is seen as an authority figure and therefore is to be challenged sometimes over the most stupid things and there is no comeback. A side effect is that there is far more of an inherent ageism amongst young people than I can ever recall, the generation gap is wider now than it has been for years. The military flies in the face of all of that and probably accounts for the lack of recruitment. This of course is creeping into the civilian workforce, I witnessed this first hand when running workplace first aid courses amongst younger employees rocking up when they felt like it with no attempt at an apology. It’s going to get a good deal worse before it turns full circle.
Keith you are spot on i did 22 years been out now 27 years and id do it all again in a heartbeat shite and all, you can take the boy out the army but you can't take the army out the boy.
Great vids mate. I got out last year as a full screw after doing 12 years and it’s mental how many of your videos and stories are so relatable despite the different era. I’ve sent some of your videos on to my mates 👍🏼 keep it up!
I love these films greatly appreciated..i never joined up chose fire service then police..no regrets but we sure lived through some stuff. The bombing at inglis barracks still haunts me..ive found as i age i had to find people with a similar outlook keeps me sane like watching the tab films
Keith, great to see the channel growing mate. This video really resonated with me. I was literally checking my “days to do” yesterday and this time next year I will be on terminal leave. After 30 years service I am starting to now feel the ground rush and although looking forward to the change and a few years work on the outside before proper retirement, I do wonder how indoctrinated I really am. Although I only know you from your channel, I see you as a great example of a Veteran who has transitioned well whilst keeping a healthy balance with your Military past. It will be interesting to see if any of our Military brothers from across the pond pick up on your channel and start to add their comments and we will see your channel really taking off.
Thanks Mark, and congratulations on 30 years service mate, that's awesome! I do hope my little channel grows, I really love going through all the comments and I try hard to take the time and answer them all the best I can. Thank you for your support. 👍🇬🇧
I was 19 years old just out of REME trade training sent straight to an infantry battalion going to west belfast in the late 70's , hadn't a clue but great mates around me . R&R came , got off plane and into bus to city centre sat at rear of bus ( new reflex action ? ) bus set off , me only passenger , felt jittery till l got off . Still sit in bars and restraunts where l can see the door , just feels better somehow . Due to my time there l have an uncanny knack of remembering vehicle registration numbers , know almost all my neighbours reg numbers , how sad is that ? Anyway dont have PTSD , feel great and hope all reading do too .
My uncle George was the steward of mumbles British legion on the outskirts of Swansea now its a marks and Spencer. The Legion in Swansea City centre is now flats, the lion in Neath is boarded up, all gone within the last 20yrs so sad. The RAF association club in neath is up for sale also.
I left the army ( RGJ) after 10 years , I joined as a boy soldier at 16. After I left I worked in the building trade ( hod carrier) for about 2 years but civvy strasse was an unknown environment I missed the discipline, comradeship etc so I applied for the fire service and the ambulance service at the same time . To cut a very long story short I joined the ambulance service and eventually became a paramedic for 25 years, talk about jumping from the frying pan into the fire, but unfortunately it wasn’t the same as the army but it beat climbing ladders all day with a hod on your back!
I left the Navy way back in 2003, having done the full stint (22 years). I went straight into a job paying the same rate £31k but that lasted 11 days and I was made redundant, something to do with the parent company. 5 weeks later, I was back at work on a much lower pay rate and worked ever since in various roles with an ever upwards salary, so I am grateful. I don't get involved much these days. I have attended the main anniversaries of Falklands war, that is about it. Seen some stuff on the TV called Warship and from where I am looking, nothing has changed. I support the RBL by donating monthly on a standing order. I am lucky I don't need their services but mindful others do. Banter, a veteran has the ability to not speak or see a shipmate for years, and then when they do meet up, they can start as they left off as though they last spoke yesterday. Keep up the good work shippers!
Lovely comment Ron, much appreciated. Its been the same for me when I've met up with an old mate from the army who I'd not seen for years. Thank you for your support 🙏
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd Hi Kieth, yep May 67- Aug 69 then off to Farnborough for 3 months to finish Cbt Engr Trg then off to Hameln for the real start of the adventure. Left the Army in 2001. would do it all again. Only found your channel a few weeks ago and enjoying it. Think you are a Gunner but dont recognise the Cap badge? keep up the good work and good luck for the walk. Was diagnosed with Advanced in op Prostate Cancer last Sept so 12 months into treatment so walking every day for them. Can only mange 4 miles a day tho. Kev
When you mentioned 94 RA I remembered it immediately I served 1963 in trenchard barracks Celle Royal Irish Fusiliers. Enjoy memories, bring it all back. C M Dublin 13:01
I recently watched one of your videos about applying for the armed forces veterans card. Thanks to you and your information about applying my card has just arrived, it only took about a week to come through. Keep making the videos, I thoroughly enjoy them.
After a particularly bad tour of Ireland which I left on the Friday, I started my new posting on the Monday and it was in a MOD building attached with civvies. I walked to work in civvies and got changed in work. The RSM gave me a bollocking for not arriving into work in uniform, he had never done a tour of anywhere despite his 20 years service, and I basically said if you think I am walking around civvy street in uniform you can think again! He was clueless. After the army I went to Uni full time and it was great, I managed to wind down in a sedate environment. I joined the legion about 3 years after I left and have done the cenotaph 5 times, but for me I don't go to the legion anymore, while I served I met 4 lads in the mob, 1 mm arine and about 8 paras, since I left I have met thousands, Walter Mitty battalions really grind my goat, so I don't bother anymore
Your old RSM was way out of touch with the security risk at that time, too long in a safe office by the sound of it. Regarding the Walts, I don't think we'll ever be able to stop it from happening, its a very sad person who steals others honour. Thank you for commenting.
I remember it well! You were lucky, I could not settle, all civie jobs failed. I ended up in the TA, Had to drop a rank and there was no help for PTSA. In the end I started my own business and joined the legion. If it was'nt for the veterans breakfast at old leake I should be in a mess.
I have always done better working for myself than as an employee. I tend not to suffer fools gladly, so to speak. Mow i run my own legal support business; serving legal documents, court attendance notices, repoing cars etc. People say it's a dangerous job but I remind them I was a Military Policeman and everyone I had to deal with was a trained professional killer; nasty civvies don't really bother me. Mind you, the RACMP is a bit different to the RMP, our mothers still loved us...
I joined the Signals in summer '74 - 84 joined as a boy soldier so needed my parents signature for me to join which they were very reluctant to do as i grew up on a farm and the old fella said you not joining no army you going to be working on the farm when you leave school but that was not my thoughts, i remember seeing an advert on the tv when i was about 13-14 it showed a chieftain tank i think it was spanking it down a dirt track into deep water and i thought oh yer thats for me and thought of nothing else from then apart from joining the army, my last year of school i went and did my entrance exam at the local recruiting place and was accepted as radio opp in the signals told me parents and it was still a no you are not going in the military ! i had my join date they still said the same thing, i was so pissed off, on the dasy i was sopposed to arrive at catterick my old fella came into my bedroom about 4am and said are you ready ! for what i said, thought you wanted to join the army he said, cars waiting come on i will take you there ! OMFG i was extatic, i did 10 years and yes good times bad times did quite a few tours of various places and i got married at the RMA Sandhurst Chappel in '77 as that was my 1st posting, 10 years later wife wanted me to come out of the army as she had had enough of military life, her old fella did 20 odd years in the army then retired and took a civvy job issueing army quarters at sandhurst so all she ever knew was travelling moving every few years, so i came out but unfortunately we split within 18 months and i tried to get back in but was told sorry not taking re-enlistments and 5 years later told i was too old, i miss the military to this day i miss my friends and have never had friends like my army mates and as you say maybe we are a different breed to civvies, i also constantly watch whats going on around without knowing im doing it but the wife pulls me about it all the time, i also have a proper military sense of humour constantly taking the piss out of friends but only good friends to the point onlookers think we hate each other but actually its the opposite, also did we get any support after we left in the mid '80s ! lol yep i did they gave me a train ticket to go home lmao that was it, great channel keep them vids coming...
In public places such as restaurants, I always like to have my back against the wall, and even better, sat in the corner, if not I feel like I am off my guard.
My transition from the RAF in 88 was relatively easy because I just swapped my blue suit for a BAe brown suit and went to Saudi. All the lads there were ex RAF so the banter etc carried on just as it was in the service. Funny thing was it was as a civvie that I got caught up in GW1 with Madman Insane chucking scuds at us! My biggest shock was my first job with a company that made military avionics and suddenly I had to work with a load of lasses. That was one hell of a culture shock, had to watch what I was saying. With you being a member of the legion. I am in Canada now and an active member of the RCL, help to run the poppy campaign as well as other things. Canadian vets are just the same as UK lads, plenty of stories and banter. Keep the videos coming, really enjoying them.
Another great Video Keith I've always watched the crowd in pubs and constantly checking the entry points when I've been out, Fireworks is the other thing I did a few years in Ireland and then onto the 1st Gulf War and Bosnia Last year I bought myself a VW T5 campervan and spend most of my free time around the Lochs of the Galloway forest along with Kayaking and nowadays enjoying the peace and quiet As for PTSD ? I still have the bad dreams and sudden noises make me jump, but I don't really know if I have or haven't got it ? As for tabbing Keith, I do carry a small backpack when I'm going around the lochs with my Whyte & Mackay medical supplies 👍 Keep up the good work Keith 👍 All the best Tony
Its returning home ,can be very hard.Even in Russia. I have had rather an odd life but the thing that leapt to mind was a snowy winter night in Moscow at a war memorial .\And a poor squaddie was having trouble going home to his wife and kids from chechnya. Went to the church to light candles for his mates who were not coming home. Poor bastard was all alone so we surrounded him and passed vodka bottles around and drank to absent friends A squaddie is a squaddie whatever his country..
Hi old friend and brother I’m a veteran served 9 yrs live in south leverton notts was in the Worcestershire and Sherwood foresters. Oh yeah and my every day drive is a Land Rover 101 forward control from 1976
Great channel Keith. I'm enjoying the content. I left the military 40 years ago and I would counsel anyone moving into civvie employment not to adopt the attitude that they're going to show the "woolly civvies" how to do things properly. There are a lot of very professional and motivated people out there, predominantly in the commercial world. Officers and senior NCOs are often the worst in this respect. They envisage themselves as CEOs, COOs or MDs but have never closed a deal or secured a contract in their lives. Or analysed a P&L and balance sheet. I know, because I was that man.
Thank you James. I agree very much with what you have said. After leaving, I was lucky enough to be able to transfer some of the skills and experience I had acquired, from my time as an RQMS, into a role as a facilities manager, so that seemed to work well for me.
Despite hating my last year in the army I found it quite hard to adapt for the first year as a civvy..trying to fit in with old school friends and doing a different job with different people's attitudes was a challenge..
Biggest issued I had was telling a civvie what to do and expecting it to be done. Oh NO you have to say Please and explain why you want it dpne the way you have said it is to be done. Many years have past and still try to have my back to a wall, and checking reflections in windows
My Mrs always knows to let me choose where we sit and moving around any city, I go in to vigilance mode. It never really leaves you! Civvies rarely understand our brand of humour! Good video Keith
Living in NI I sub consciously still keep an eye on people being in the reserves for 11 years and travelling on the bus up the Falls road everyday to get to my work some stay alive habits never die !
Worked with an old soldier who had great stories , he called his unit a penal regiment , Co's driver had chickens in his locker in Malta. The inspecting officer on opening it turned round abandoned inspection , Soldier told to "get floor up" ( meaning polished ) removed parquet floor and stacked it neat piles causing Sergeant Major to have melt down !
I had a buddy who left the army after 12 years, he spent around 18 months in civvy st and one day he said to me, I don't know how you do it (running a house, all the bills etc etc) he then went back in the army, we haven't spoke for around 15 years and I would assume he is now back in civvy st, I hope he's managing better the second time round.
This is a subject that needs more attention,. Here in U.K we need more understanding of the support system of the lifestyle in forces. mates who watch your back, a very stable rank structure. In civilian life especially in a large organisation you have to watch your back as the greasy pole climbers will be waiting to bad mouth you. The U.S.A regards service in the armed forces as something to respect. Those in the forces are such a contrast the to slime bags in Parliament.
I attend Sapperfest every year and meet up with old mates I knew during my service and also lads and lasses whom I’ve become friends with even tho we never knew each other during our time in the Corps. I don’t know if the guys that started Sapperfest still run Trogfest, Gunnerfest and the All Arms Fest but worth looking if you fancy meeting your oppos and served in one of the services. All Arms Fest, as the name suggests, is open to all.
I served for 12 years got out March 99 , still do all that you mentioned Kieth , as for decompression 2nd tour of NI was on rear party showing the new guys about came of patrol at 8 in the morning handed my ammo and patrol kit over to a new guy got my 1033 back quick brew and a banjo straight on a chopper to Aldergrove Herc to Lynham back in Larkhill by 14:00 ,when I got out thought I was going into civi street with my eyes open ……how wrong I was …..down to earth with a big bump .
Mate I’m the same, even if I go to a pub I sit in front of a mirror to see behind me or back against the wall, what I’m finding is I people stair a lot and stair at cars going by , from tour in Ireland an Bosnia an me misses (claymore) she notices it loads
I am a former soldier and currently writing a screen play which feature much of what you have coverd in your videos. I enlisted at the end of the 80s begining of the 90s. I did the whole nine yards. Op Granby, Ireland, Telec and Herick. Both regular and reservist comulletively. You were before my time but - I enjoy what your doing. I would love to pull up a sandbag with you and every other soldier who reads this.
I was in the Army Cadet Force for 4 years as a cadet and another 4 years as an adult instructor. I then served 6 years reg and nearly 18 years TA. When I die (not just yet) and they cut me open, they will find my army number all the way through like 'Blackpool' in seaside rock.
Same in RN kieth. I did 12 nearly 13 years from 1979 to 1993 defence cuts all made redundant all kicked in the teeth. I still do the same look for exits, and people watch. Meet up witb shipmates now and again, have a few wets and swing the lamps. They get less every year as some cross the bar.
Nothing wrong in wearing your old beret, I've had a bit of stick on here but it really doesn't worry me. Glad you are getting out there Neil all the best 👍
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd I'm considering a charity tab through the peaks, early summer, I don't cope well in the heat, or maybe through the night later on in the summer, let me know if you'd be interested 👍
Mick, I completely get where you're coming from, maybe in todays society it's not a bad habit to have. Thank you for commenting mate, it's appreciated.
On return from N.I.,parents-in-law thought wife and me mad as we crossed road when we saw lone parked cars and kept holding open bags when entering shops. 73 now and still can't get used to the 'ish factor' of time keeping in civvy street.
Just a couple of points. As mentioned before, I left age 40, REME policy to keep the rungs of promotion going. So, medals in draw. I'm a 'civi', got to get a job, mortgage to pay. Pension won't cover all the outgoings. I was rtu from Aden as advance party for unit return. Sent on two weeks leave (never heard the word 'decompression' before) then back to unit and get ready for everyone returning. Waiting at Liverpool Street rail station London for train to Colchester, two old dears said " been on holiday" I'm stood their in tee shirt and jeans with back pack and kitbag in December freezing so I said "Yes, just back from Aden" "Oh" they said. Aden was on TV in UK every day about something, so everyone knew what was going on. My mum was bricking it till I got on leave.
Decompression is around 4 days.... Sadly some units don't do it very well and fail those who need real help..... I was a Welfare Officer and was shocked as to the way the CoC handle those who need help.... Between that and too many who should never have been permitted to join..... It's getting worse and capita are partially to blame....
I've been binge watching your videos, and they are so theraputic. Life after the Army?... I'm more worried about life after you run out of your great ideas for videos!!!
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd You are so right about sitting in a far corner against a wall... I thought it was just me!!! Drives my wife nuts because she always ends up looking at the wall behind me LOL! Thinks I'm paranoid. Could you do a vid on what ORs think of Officers? The good the bad and the ugly.
At Options for change my trade was one the RAF civilianised in a big way so back to civvy street I went, but I was very lucky to get a job at sea as a rating on Stena line ferries, there was a uniform and a rank structure etc so it was a place to readjust
My dad left after his first 14 years in the 1QDG and went to work as a postman (uniform), then a bus conductor (uniform) then he joined the RAF (similar uniforms to post and buses, apparently). Did 7 years then we came to Australia and he joined up, did 6 then got outa and got a job at the Sydney Opera House as security (another uniform). His last job before forced retirement was with a scouse ex-RGH; the two of them in the weighbridge were spoken to on several occasions for constantly laughing or taking the piss; HR just didn't understand poms or ex-servicemen.
I was UDR and Royal Irish, based in Antrim and Lisburn, our base locations Served 22 years, very hard to come to terms with civie street i still live in NI , i still look at windows sit with my back to the wall , i need to watch the doors and windows, , if a car is behind me to long i go off a road to see if i am being followed, still look under my car for any prezzies, Been doing this from 1979 untill now, i was discharged in 01 , In NI we had a poppy break centre, the RBL closed it as it wasn't making money, it was free and we gave in donations, , seems the money counters have forgotten the RBL is a charity, Keep your head down
I went to join the RBL after completing 9 years in the Army. I had to go through an interview and when I mentioned that I had been in the Army the bloke said " Ah, that doesn't count for anything ". It turned out that the vast majority of the members have never served in any of the forces at all. What did it for me was when a friend of my wife lost her husband that had served almost 20 years in the Army, they refused to allow her to have a wake or even a small do to see him off. I now have nothing to do with the RBL, I do the Veterans Lottery and work with other veterans that help out forces leavers into work but as far as I am concerned, I will not step over the threshhold of any of their establishments again.
Two sad stories but it must have been a local thing, Jeff. Back in 2004, when my brother-in-law died after his 22 and 5 in the TA, the local RBL in Melton Mowbray were only too happy to help out with a wake and all that went with it.
I meet an old mate for a bottle of wine every Friday. It's been growing more and more. One American came along. He really thought a firght was going to break out until he realized we are all laughing! As far as I am concerend, I am the medals in the drawer and march on. Had to, otherwise I would have not left the house.
Understand what you said about keeping your back to the wall,I found this I don't like it when people are walking behind me same applies to standing in queues in shops
Only veterans understand the brotherhood bond that we share. I hate the outside attitude to us. They will understand if the shi..t hits the fan in this country and they need us to defend because they can't hack it
The furthest I got was 4 years in the army cadets, but always study military and survival and hunted ,I also do what you do when we go out ,constantly watching my back and my family's back and being a ex builder I know how to banter lol ,uncles and grandad were in ,and thank you for your service sir
I still sit with. Y back to a wall, still watch who comes and goes through all the doors, still watch for unattended bags, and still walk down the street checking windows and doorways, as well as eyeing all the vehicles coming from front and rear, and I'm in my 70's
Same mucka
I completely agree mate and im a aghfan vet but then i do have ptsd
A mate of mine got a job working as a facilities manager in a large office building. a female member of staff went into his office and complained that the building was a bit chilly his response was well then put on a fucking jumper. 😂😂😂😂😂
😂😂😂😂😂
I once went for a job and sat in a room with 9 other candidates. Within minutes the two ex-servicemen had discovered each other and started chatting while the other 8 civvies just sat there, mute. Ever experienced that? One night as a security officer at a private hospital I was on with a Kiwi ex-armoured trooper. We sat at the table next to two other tables, both full of tradesmen in to do work overnight. One table spoke mostly in Spanish, the other in Russian. I listened in for a few moments, knowing maybe five words in each language but it wasn't the words that struck home; it was the vibe. I said to my mate 'they're swapping warries!" So we pulled up a sandbag each between the two tables and found out there was an Ecuadorean sailor, a Russian paratrooper, a Hungarian soldier, a Chilean MP, a Mexican soldier and a Polish air force ground crew. We switched to English (mostly) and spent the next two hours laughing and crying and realising it matters not which uniform you wore, just that you wore one. We all had similar stories and experiences.
Wow, how cool was that. Its so true our old profession reaches past countries boarders. Thank you for telling that story mate 👍 bloody awesome. 👍
We all just love swinging the light!
You can always tell an ex serviceman. You just can't tell em much. As for sitting with my back to the wall it's not an option when the wife is with me. She's a people watcher so tend to be facing the wrong way which is uncomfortable so always looking over my shoulder. I don't know why. It's not like I've been shot at.
As a kid I used to ask my Dad (27 years service) to go camping. His reply was "I did enough camping in the army'. We went three times. When I left the army after 8 years people asked me if I wanted to go camping. Took about five years before I stopped saying; wait for it.... "I did enough camping in the army." I camp regularly now and love it but it took my own service to better understand my dad's mindset. By the time he died when I was 60 we understood each other, and our shared view on most civvies. Last movie we saw together was 'Danger Close', the Battle of Long Tan. We shared a hug and a tear and didn't care what the other people in the cinema thought. Lest We Forget
A very truthful and touching story of you and your Father, thank you for telling it so openly and honestly it's very much appreciated. I too use to sit with my Dad (also a veteran), and watch old war movies, and like you it's left me with some special memories that I have forever. Thank you
Good man,my dad was in Korea and Malaya.loved my stories when I came home
Watched all the big war movies together
I have his notes about Korea and Malaya,escaped death once
Got blown up by a overinflated truck tyre,casevac back to canp,all his csm was interested in was where his cigarette ration was?
Said he swapped them with a medic for a Mars bar
I guess we all have stories maybe we should post them on here share the laughs
Still like it after 20 years. I still choose my spot carefully in a bar or restaurant. The worst for me was coming back from Bosnia, with the the mine issue. I just couldn't walk on rough ground. Screamed at my young daughter when she ran onto the grass.i was in a mess for ages. Also after another 'interesting' deployment I won't say where, I was driving with my two daughters in the car, all was fine, but something happened can't say what exactly, and to me I was back. I scared my girls. I used bad language, something I never did in front of the children. Weird and worrying. I still feel it all. Sometimes it's funny and comforting in a strange way, but mostly now it's not good. My wife says to me in the morning, ' you were on duty last night'. I know because I'm exhausted. Still, when I joined, I meant it, what else can one say. I don't think we ever really finish do we?
We don't really finish when we leave, Bosnia was a terrible place, with terrible sights.
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd it was. I was in Sarajevo in a staff job. I went for a run along the river with a Norwegian colleague. Things had quietened down a bit by then. I had rigged a way to carry my browning in a daysack whilst I was out, with the lanyard round my neck. Anyway, the peace didn't last long. Not much one can do with a couple of pistols, but we had a go, aiming at the second floor of flats just over the river. Outgunned, we couldn't go anywhere, but luckily for us, an Italian Carabinieri armoured car pulled up next to us, opened up on the building, and got us away. The thing that remains in my mind is the bloody squeaky brakes on the thing. They were all like it, hardly tactical. Still, didn't stop me tabbing lol. It's all a longer story, many stories, but it'll do for now. A sad place.....then I met my Waterloo in Kosovo 5 years later. C'est la vie eh?
I did seven years back in the eighties, and it's very much a past life. I have to say Keith, you are a natural in your delivery of these video and make them interesting without some of the BS certain verterans come out with on their channels. Keep up the good work.
Cheers Geoff, that's very good and encouraging 👍. I don't edit or script or even rehearse my video I just think of a subject and have a chat to the camera lol. Thank you again for your support 🙏
After 20yrs in the mob 10 of those on operations I don't miss it at all.
I chose to close the door & not keep in touch with anyone I served with.
I've spent the last 2 decades working on armed contracts in the middle-east with all ex-servicemen and the banter is still there.
I also live in NI and after serving multiple tours there during good & bad times.
I'll never live on the mainland again as its been lost to failed multiculturalism and I don't recognise my home town anymore.
You really can't beat the banter we all use to have. You're right about our country, its really becoming a broken place so sad. Take care brother 🙏
Leaving the Forces can be a shock to the system. Don’t forget you learn a lot of transferable skills. You have discipline, punctuality, reliability, trainability, honesty. If you can put these across at an interview you’ll go far. Anyway another good video Sir.
Sadly a lot of firms don't want these sorts of qualities..... Turning up on time doing a good job.... You will make a lot of enemies!
They are good characteristics that we pick up from our service. Thank you for your support mate 👍
I agree, although I’m not ex-service my employer makes a point of encouraging ex-service to the company, the two directors in charge of my department are- 1st one ex REME WO2 and 2nd one ex Para Reg, they’re both great fun and out of ear shot of the more stuffy senior staff revert back to service banter which I totally get having many friends amongst the service community 👍
Hi, just discovered your channel and find your videos great. I joined the Army in 1985, but was medically discharged after an injury during basic training. I got better and then joined the TA (now Army Reserve) and was in for 10 years. I didn’t do any operational tours like the Reserves can do now, but just remember my mates, the bond we had, teamwork, ranges, exercises and all that. I really miss it, and have the utmost respect for anyone in the Army, Regular or Reserve.
Mike well done mate you did your service, its really not about how many tours or medals veterans have , it's the fact that you served mate, that's what's important 👍
It's great to see a person who actually knows what he's talking about.
Keep up the good work because you talk about what ex-forces people understand.
Thank you John, that's very kind. As you can see I'm just an old squaddie swinging the lantern sat on a sandbag 😆
The reason the number of subscribers is increasing is that this guy relates to so many thousands of us. Long may he continue uploading these chats. When, as a civvy, did we stop checking under our cars?
After 14 years, in 1980, I finished as a Corporal ( long and boring story why) and at my first job interview for a job as a Project Co-Ordinator, the General Manager of the department was an ex-RAF Corporal. He looked at my CV and said Corporals had the worst job in the Forces because all the tasks would be passsed down from Officers, through the WOs to the (in my case, being REME) Tiffys and to the section Sergeant. He would then detail a Corporal to see the job was done. Once it was done, the credit was passed on all the way back up the chain of command! Anyway, all that aside, he took me round to see all the staff and asked me whan I could start. I stayed there for 6 years, becoming a Design Engineer and remained in the same industry until I finally retired in 2015.
He's a gentleman
Having served 8yrs in the Army (infantry) I moved onto another career .. within a week I was called into an office and told that my squaddie humour wouldn’t cut it there . Apparently people were taking the pisstaking to heart bless ‘em. Miss the laughs in the regiment but not all the back to basics bollox after operational tours.
💯 m8 I was facilities manger in an establishment and did freight in a shipping company in both counts I was told tone it down you can't tell people what to do anymore . I got told I was a bully for berating some one who was persistently late WTF ???I said what's the point of being a supervisor then ???
Manager 😂
Yep ! Been there a few times too mate.
@@matthewbishop9342 great life out here m8 told a guy constantly not to park in a blue box space he said I find your attitude and behaviour very threatening towards me boo hoo 😢
@roberthewer2268 I've been called into the office quite a few times for my 'behaviour'. I've tried explaining, but civvies just don't get the sense of humour, the hard work, or attention to detail. I was told I work too hard and make the others look bad on one occasion too
I did 22 years in the Royal Navy 73 - 95, left as a Chief Petty Officer...my transition into civilian life was difficult, challenging, frustrating, some of it down to me at times and what appeared to be, my unwillingness to compromise in their eyes, in mine, not lowering my standards, which I considered unprofessional. Me and HR were constant companions, with lots of please explain chats. Reality is I never truly adapted it was more an uneasy peace. Now retired for 8 years, living the life in Western Australia 🇦🇺 a newly minted shackle dragger. Still have an unhealthy obsession with time keeping, always early, not a fan of tardiness, still meticulously plan things, retain a dark sense of humour and retain the habit of being able to drink like a Royal Naval sailor when required although recovery time now runs into days 👍. RN social media sites has, allowed me to stay in contact with my old shipmates, travelled back last year for a reunion and a 50th anniversary of joining the mob with old classmates, the bond remains as strong as ever. Something civilians can never understand. Absent Friends 🍻
Absent friends 🍻
10 minutes early and you're on time. Arrive at the time and you're late. Something my wife never will understand and we got married in 1970 when I still had 10 years left in the Army! You would have thought she'd have cottoned on but she never has, bless her!
Even today 40 years after leaving the forces, I never sit with my back to the door. I was a member of the RBL near me until they closed down and sold it off.
I'd love to start up and run an ex servicemans club. What a hoot that would be. Have a nice drop in centre for the lads and lasses that just want to chat as well.
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd That would be Awesome for those who live close to you.
Felt lost when I left, missed my mates, missed the travels, the life, different life in civy street, strange but I still feel programed lol g8 video 🎉🎉🎉
So true 👍
Civilian strasse,highest rank.MR
However being what we were will never leave any of us and sometimes I feel I’m more of a soldier now than I was then
Nice one Phil, thank you mate 👍🇬🇧
Well said!
I bet you straighten your back at certain times!
@@rayjennings3637 yeah and the odd sir gets slipped in now and again but I don’t think that’s a bad thing,it’s about respect.something that’s sadly lacking these days
Decompression was less than 48hrs after getting back from Basrah some old Nissan huts in Cyprus lol
What bloody good was that I wonder, and did it really help?
Your an inspiration. I appreciate these chats you give. Can't give you enough thanks.
Thats great to hear, thank you. I'll keep going as long as I can. Take care all the best.
Onya Cobber ,good effort, T.A.B. ON.
👍🇬🇧
I quit the BL when Private Smith on the committee became Lieut general on the door, As in my brother had travelled up from York to visit me in FIFE, after a tea, we went down to the legion for a few wets, it was 21:20 No guests after 21:00 no addmittance but it was OK for me to stay as I was a serving member Private Smith GFYS along with my returned card
I remember getting turned away once and at the time I was still serving by someone that had never served and was just some committee member
That is absolutely shocking , can't believe some civvie dickhead has the power to refuse veterans entry and their brother !
Sorry and disgusted to hear of this Jack .
Remember assiduously checking the weather forecast every morning before I went off to work - took a while before it dawned on me that it didn't matter anymore - I was office based! Took an awfully long time for me to stop asking for my tea/coffee as NATO, when asked how I like it, lol. As another ex-vet said to me when I was coming out of the Army - you'll never be a civilian, you'll always be an ex-squaddie. Very true! Loving the videos, really pulling in loads of old memories, so thanks, mate.
Neil, I can't get out of asking for NATO standard tea 😆 . Thank you for commenting 👍 and for your support mate 👍
Not ease but helped by my wonderful wife, so is that "alertness", One cannot help it. Drives my wife mad sometimes.
Can be difficult for some people to understand and difficult for us to explain it. Thank you for commenting.
Despite it being a very, very long time ago I still do things like that. One of my daughters is very much like me, she automatically assess situations and in she goes. These videos bring back so many memories.
Thank you Sid, I'm glad I'm not the only one who acts or reacts this way
I had never heard of decompression until i went to Bosnia, we certainly didn't have it in NI. We sat at DJ Barracks at Split for three days, we just wanted to get home. I went to Iraq when I was in the TA, we got back to Chilwell on the Saturday and I was home on Monday. And that was only because I couldn't be arsed humping my kit on the train, so I waited till Monday to hire a car.
Pretty much the same for me, and many many others.
Ex copper here, didn’t do military service but did 32 years in the job, 27 in uniform and 5 years support staff.
I’m in an unusual position along with my wife (who also didn’t serve) of being RBL members. We live in Malta and have joined the Malta GC branch, we are poppy appeal collectors and we are coming to the end of our third year of doing this, we love doing it and never get tired of hearing people’s stories. Last year we were invited to join.
Malta GC branch is slowly fading, a lot of the membership is getting too old now and there are no younger members coming in, an effect of Brexit is that less people are coming to Malta to retire, the process is far more difficult.
During my service I worked alongside many ex forces so have been familiar with services humour for at least 3 decades, policeman humour is similarly dark too. Curiously I found that the higher the rank of the person the more of a struggle they had with adjusting to life as a civilian.
Others have commented on issues such as unpunctuality, it wasn’t tolerated in the police either, I had a job with Red Cross Malta for a while as a first aid instructor and found myself being praised not just for turning up to do my job but for turning up early ready to start on time! Really curious.. I talked about it to my manager and was told all sorts of horror stories of instructors rocking up late or phoning in sick an hour before the course was due to start.
The problems in the civilian world are (I believe) deeply rooted in the erosion of discipline in society, discipline is a dirty word now, it has been eroded away in the education system to the point where any adult is seen as an authority figure and therefore is to be challenged sometimes over the most stupid things and there is no comeback. A side effect is that there is far more of an inherent ageism amongst young people than I can ever recall, the generation gap is wider now than it has been for years.
The military flies in the face of all of that and probably accounts for the lack of recruitment.
This of course is creeping into the civilian workforce, I witnessed this first hand when running workplace first aid courses amongst younger employees rocking up when they felt like it with no attempt at an apology.
It’s going to get a good deal worse before it turns full circle.
Keith you are spot on i did 22 years been out now 27 years and id do it all again in a heartbeat shite and all, you can take the boy out the army but you can't take the army out the boy.
Very true Pete, thanks for commenting and your support 👍
Great vids mate. I got out last year as a full screw after doing 12 years and it’s mental how many of your videos and stories are so relatable despite the different era. I’ve sent some of your videos on to my mates 👍🏼 keep it up!
Thank you very much. I hope you're doing well now you are a veteran. Thank you for your service 🫡🪖🇬🇧
I love these films greatly appreciated..i never joined up chose fire service then police..no regrets but we sure lived through some stuff. The bombing at inglis barracks still haunts me..ive found as i age i had to find people with a similar outlook keeps me sane like watching the tab films
Thank you its really nice to hear feedback like that.
Keith, great to see the channel growing mate. This video really resonated with me. I was literally checking my “days to do” yesterday and this time next year I will be on terminal leave. After 30 years service I am starting to now feel the ground rush and although looking forward to the change and a few years work on the outside before proper retirement, I do wonder how indoctrinated I really am. Although I only know you from your channel, I see you as a great example of a Veteran who has transitioned well whilst keeping a healthy balance with your Military past. It will be interesting to see if any of our Military brothers from across the pond pick up on your channel and start to add their comments and we will see your channel really taking off.
Thanks Mark, and congratulations on 30 years service mate, that's awesome! I do hope my little channel grows, I really love going through all the comments and I try hard to take the time and answer them all the best I can. Thank you for your support. 👍🇬🇧
I was 19 years old just out of REME trade training sent straight to an infantry battalion going to west belfast in the late 70's , hadn't a clue but great mates around me .
R&R came , got off plane and into bus to city centre sat at rear of bus ( new reflex action ? ) bus set off , me only passenger , felt jittery till l got off . Still sit in bars and restraunts where l can see the door , just feels better somehow . Due to my time there l have an uncanny knack of remembering vehicle registration numbers , know almost all my neighbours reg numbers , how sad is that ? Anyway dont have PTSD , feel great and hope all reading do too .
Nice one Ken, we all seem to have picked up some similar habits from service 🫡🪖
My uncle George was the steward of mumbles British legion on the outskirts of Swansea now its a marks and Spencer. The Legion in Swansea City centre is now flats, the lion in Neath is boarded up, all gone within the last 20yrs so sad. The RAF association club in neath is up for sale also.
Legion in neath that should say.
It is very sad, and its happening all too often all around the UK.
I left the army ( RGJ) after 10 years , I joined as a boy soldier at 16.
After I left I worked in the building trade ( hod carrier) for about 2 years but civvy strasse was an unknown environment I missed the discipline, comradeship etc so I applied for the fire service and the ambulance service at the same time .
To cut a very long story short I joined the ambulance service and eventually became a paramedic for 25 years, talk about jumping from the frying pan into the fire, but unfortunately it wasn’t the same as the army but it beat climbing ladders all day with a hod on your back!
You had a good career after the army, well done mate.
I left the Navy way back in 2003, having done the full stint (22 years). I went straight into a job paying the same rate £31k but that lasted 11 days and I was made redundant, something to do with the parent company. 5 weeks later, I was back at work on a much lower pay rate and worked ever since in various roles with an ever upwards salary, so I am grateful. I don't get involved much these days. I have attended the main anniversaries of Falklands war, that is about it. Seen some stuff on the TV called Warship and from where I am looking, nothing has changed. I support the RBL by donating monthly on a standing order. I am lucky I don't need their services but mindful others do. Banter, a veteran has the ability to not speak or see a shipmate for years, and then when they do meet up, they can start as they left off as though they last spoke yesterday. Keep up the good work shippers!
Lovely comment Ron, much appreciated. Its been the same for me when I've met up with an old mate from the army who I'd not seen for years. Thank you for your support 🙏
Always choose a seat with back to the wall, thought it was just me. Joined May 67 as a boy in the Royal Engineers & served for 35 years, loved it, Kev
Hi Kev, it seems a similar thing amongst veterans mate. I'm guessing you may have done your Junior Leaders at Old Park Bks Dover?
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd Hi Kieth, yep May 67- Aug 69 then off to Farnborough for 3 months to finish Cbt Engr Trg then off to Hameln for the real start of the adventure. Left the Army in 2001. would do it all again. Only found your channel a few weeks ago and enjoying it. Think you are a Gunner but dont recognise the Cap badge? keep up the good work and good luck for the walk. Was diagnosed with Advanced in op Prostate Cancer last Sept so 12 months into treatment so walking every day for them. Can only mange 4 miles a day tho. Kev
Got the Gunner/POW Regt answer on another video. keep up the good work.
When you mentioned 94 RA I remembered it immediately I served 1963 in trenchard barracks Celle Royal Irish Fusiliers. Enjoy memories, bring it all back. C M Dublin 13:01
👍
Cheers Chris, good old Trenchard bks
There were ex servicemans clubs pre dating the legion, there was one in our town known as the 'belt and bayonet' kept going into the late 60s.
Love that, what a great name for a club.
always on edge always watching always defencive its just how it makes you
I recently watched one of your videos about applying for the armed forces veterans card. Thanks to you and your information about applying my card has just arrived, it only took about a week to come through. Keep making the videos, I thoroughly enjoy them.
John, that's great news, glad your card arrived. Thank you for your support to me its much appreciated.
After a particularly bad tour of Ireland which I left on the Friday, I started my new posting on the Monday and it was in a MOD building attached with civvies. I walked to work in civvies and got changed in work. The RSM gave me a bollocking for not arriving into work in uniform, he had never done a tour of anywhere despite his 20 years service, and I basically said if you think I am walking around civvy street in uniform you can think again! He was clueless. After the army I went to Uni full time and it was great, I managed to wind down in a sedate environment. I joined the legion about 3 years after I left and have done the cenotaph 5 times, but for me I don't go to the legion anymore, while I served I met 4 lads in the mob, 1 mm arine and about 8 paras, since I left I have met thousands, Walter Mitty battalions really grind my goat, so I don't bother anymore
Your old RSM was way out of touch with the security risk at that time, too long in a safe office by the sound of it. Regarding the Walts, I don't think we'll ever be able to stop it from happening, its a very sad person who steals others honour. Thank you for commenting.
I remember it well! You were lucky, I could not settle, all civie jobs failed. I ended up in the TA, Had to drop a rank and there was no help for PTSA. In the end I started my own business and joined the legion. If it was'nt
for the veterans breakfast at old leake I should be in a mess.
I have always done better working for myself than as an employee. I tend not to suffer fools gladly, so to speak. Mow i run my own legal support business; serving legal documents, court attendance notices, repoing cars etc. People say it's a dangerous job but I remind them I was a Military Policeman and everyone I had to deal with was a trained professional killer; nasty civvies don't really bother me. Mind you, the RACMP is a bit different to the RMP, our mothers still loved us...
I joined the Signals in summer '74 - 84 joined as a boy soldier so needed my parents signature for me to join which they were very reluctant to do as i grew up on a farm and the old fella said you not joining no army you going to be working on the farm when you leave school but that was not my thoughts, i remember seeing an advert on the tv when i was about 13-14 it showed a chieftain tank i think it was spanking it down a dirt track into deep water and i thought oh yer thats for me and thought of nothing else from then apart from joining the army, my last year of school i went and did my entrance exam at the local recruiting place and was accepted as radio opp in the signals told me parents and it was still a no you are not going in the military ! i had my join date they still said the same thing, i was so pissed off, on the dasy i was sopposed to arrive at catterick my old fella came into my bedroom about 4am and said are you ready ! for what i said, thought you wanted to join the army he said, cars waiting come on i will take you there ! OMFG i was extatic, i did 10 years and yes good times bad times did quite a few tours of various places and i got married at the RMA Sandhurst Chappel in '77 as that was my 1st posting, 10 years later wife wanted me to come out of the army as she had had enough of military life, her old fella did 20 odd years in the army then retired and took a civvy job issueing army quarters at sandhurst so all she ever knew was travelling moving every few years, so i came out but unfortunately we split within 18 months and i tried to get back in but was told sorry not taking re-enlistments and 5 years later told i was too old, i miss the military to this day i miss my friends and have never had friends like my army mates and as you say maybe we are a different breed to civvies, i also constantly watch whats going on around without knowing im doing it but the wife pulls me about it all the time, i also have a proper military sense of humour constantly taking the piss out of friends but only good friends to the point onlookers think we hate each other but actually its the opposite, also did we get any support after we left in the mid '80s ! lol yep i did they gave me a train ticket to go home lmao that was it, great channel keep them vids coming...
In public places such as restaurants, I always like to have my back against the wall, and even better, sat in the corner, if not I feel like I am off my guard.
Exactly how I feel glad I'm not alone mate
My transition from the RAF in 88 was relatively easy because I just swapped my blue suit for a BAe brown suit and went to Saudi. All the lads there were ex RAF so the banter etc carried on just as it was in the service. Funny thing was it was as a civvie that I got caught up in GW1 with Madman Insane chucking scuds at us! My biggest shock was my first job with a company that made military avionics and suddenly I had to work with a load of lasses. That was one hell of a culture shock, had to watch what I was saying.
With you being a member of the legion. I am in Canada now and an active member of the RCL, help to run the poppy campaign as well as other things. Canadian vets are just the same as UK lads, plenty of stories and banter. Keep the videos coming, really enjoying them.
Great banter and it really does bond us together. Thank you for your support 🙏
Another great Video Keith
I've always watched the crowd in pubs and constantly checking the entry points when I've been out,
Fireworks is the other thing
I did a few years in Ireland and then onto the 1st Gulf War and Bosnia
Last year I bought myself a VW T5 campervan and spend most of my free time around the Lochs of the Galloway forest along with Kayaking and nowadays enjoying the peace and quiet
As for PTSD ? I still have the bad dreams and sudden noises make me jump, but I don't really know if I have or haven't got it ?
As for tabbing Keith, I do carry a small backpack when I'm going around the lochs with my Whyte & Mackay medical supplies 👍
Keep up the good work Keith 👍
All the best
Tony
BOO !😂
@@northwalesmodtake it you still live at home with your mum then
Sorry Army joke, Did 12 years get over it !
@@northwalesmoddid 18 years and still wake up with the wounds,
Get a grip
@@skyfalls2746 Sorry for you Pal ,who where you with??
Its returning home ,can be very hard.Even in Russia. I have had rather an odd life but the thing that leapt to mind was a snowy winter night in Moscow at a war memorial .\And a poor squaddie was having trouble going home to his wife and kids from chechnya. Went to the church to light candles for his mates who were not coming home. Poor bastard was all alone so we surrounded him and passed vodka bottles around and drank to absent friends A squaddie is a squaddie whatever his country..
That's a fact that maybe we sometimes forget, a veteran is a veteran , whatever his/her nationality.
Hi old friend and brother I’m a veteran served 9 yrs live in south leverton notts was in the Worcestershire and Sherwood foresters. Oh yeah and my every day drive is a Land Rover 101 forward control from 1976
The good old Woofers cracking Regiment 👌. Like the sound of your Lanny how cool is that brother. Many thanks for commenting 👍
I served 27 years in the RN mainly submarines and I can relate to everything you have said, miss my time in boats.
Good video thanks
Loving your post big man keep up the great work pal 👍
Thanks for your support Steve
Great channel Keith. I'm enjoying the content. I left the military 40 years ago and I would counsel anyone moving into civvie employment not to adopt the attitude that they're going to show the "woolly civvies" how to do things properly. There are a lot of very professional and motivated people out there, predominantly in the commercial world. Officers and senior NCOs are often the worst in this respect. They envisage themselves as CEOs, COOs or MDs but have never closed a deal or secured a contract in their lives. Or analysed a P&L and balance sheet. I know, because I was that man.
Thank you James. I agree very much with what you have said. After leaving, I was lucky enough to be able to transfer some of the skills and experience I had acquired, from my time as an RQMS, into a role as a facilities manager, so that seemed to work well for me.
Your a proper British man god bless you sir🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧.
Thank you so very much for your kind words and support 🙏
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd your very welcome we need men like yourself running the uk!!!! Let’s all get the current shit show gone!!!🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
Just found your channel.
Absolutely brilliant
Thanks that's very kind
Yeah, I noticed the back to the wall thing!
It's a fairly common trait
Despite hating my last year in the army I found it quite hard to adapt for the first year as a civvy..trying to fit in with old school friends and doing a different job with different people's attitudes was a challenge..
Well done Neil
You're insights into your career are really interesting.
Cheers Abbey what a lovely thing to say thanks for commenting 👍
Biggest issued I had was telling a civvie what to do and expecting it to be done. Oh NO you have to say Please and explain why you want it dpne the way you have said it is to be done. Many years have past and still try to have my back to a wall, and checking reflections in windows
You have to tread carefully out in civvy Street, cheers for your comment 👍
Subscribed, Got my Vet card last week.
Great news Nick, and thank you for your support mate.👍
So true!!
Mates and Friends only ex squadies, whatever Corps or Reg
It's a family, a brotherhood Tim. Cheers mate.
Thats what I miss, nothing Like that in civie street
My Mrs always knows to let me choose where we sit and moving around any city, I go in to vigilance mode. It never really leaves you!
Civvies rarely understand our brand of humour! Good video Keith
👍
Back to the wall and facing the door and then I'm comfortable when I'm inside. 👍
Living in NI I sub consciously still keep an eye on people being in the reserves for 11 years and travelling on the bus up the Falls road everyday to get to my work some stay alive habits never die !
Thank you for what you are doing.
Martin, thank you for your support.
The subscribers is now well over the 4K mark. Outstanding Keith !! 👍
Martin I can't believe it mate, what's happening
Worked with an old soldier who had great stories , he called his unit a penal regiment , Co's driver had chickens in his locker in Malta. The inspecting officer on opening it turned round abandoned inspection , Soldier told to "get floor up" ( meaning polished ) removed parquet floor and stacked it neat piles causing Sergeant Major to have melt down !
🤣🤣🤣
I left to become a copper but the camaraderie isn’t the same, I still miss the big green machine sometimes.
Thank you for commenting 👍 can't beat our old banter, I imagine you have to be very careful in your job. All the best 👍
I was at woolwich 81 colenso troop
I was Colenso Troop, 59 Aston Bty. November 76 to April 77
Another great vid!
Thank you Julian, that's very much appreciated my friend. 👍🇬🇧
I had a buddy who left the army after 12 years, he spent around 18 months in civvy st and one day he said to me, I don't know how you do it (running a house, all the bills etc etc) he then went back in the army, we haven't spoke for around 15 years and I would assume he is now back in civvy st, I hope he's managing better the second time round.
We do get cocooned in the force's
Spot on
👍
This is a subject that needs more attention,. Here in U.K we need more understanding of the support system of the lifestyle in forces. mates who watch your back, a very stable rank structure. In civilian life especially in a large organisation you have to watch your back as the greasy pole climbers will be waiting to bad mouth you. The U.S.A regards service in the armed forces as something to respect. Those in the forces are such a contrast the to slime bags in Parliament.
I have noticed how different the support is in the States compared to here in the UK. We could learn a lot from them.
I attend Sapperfest every year and meet up with old mates I knew during my service and also lads and lasses whom I’ve become friends with even tho we never knew each other during our time in the Corps. I don’t know if the guys that started Sapperfest still run Trogfest, Gunnerfest and the All Arms Fest but worth looking if you fancy meeting your oppos and served in one of the services. All Arms Fest, as the name suggests, is open to all.
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Don't change your method ever........keep telling it the way it is 😊
Lest we forget 🕊
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I served for 12 years got out March 99 , still do all that you mentioned Kieth , as for decompression 2nd tour of NI was on rear party showing the new guys about came of patrol at 8 in the morning handed my ammo and patrol kit over to a new guy got my 1033 back quick brew and a banjo straight on a chopper to Aldergrove Herc to Lynham back in Larkhill by 14:00 ,when I got out thought I was going into civi street with my eyes open ……how wrong I was …..down to earth with a big bump .
Rich that was right, one moment you're on the streets next you're back home, very strange feeling that was.
Good to see you boss, hope you're keeping well.
I'm very good thanks for asking take care mate 👍
Pay parades had to transfer payment to the sparkasse bank in 1980😢
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Mate I’m the same, even if I go to a pub I sit in front of a mirror to see behind me or back against the wall, what I’m finding is I people stair a lot and stair at cars going by , from tour in Ireland an Bosnia an me misses (claymore) she notices it loads
It definitely changes us after we come back to normal life
I am a former soldier and currently writing a screen play which feature much of what you have coverd in your videos. I enlisted at the end of the 80s begining of the 90s.
I did the whole nine yards. Op Granby, Ireland, Telec and Herick. Both regular and reservist comulletively. You were before my time but - I enjoy what your doing.
I would love to pull up a sandbag with you and every other soldier who reads this.
If any of my stuff is of use feel free. If there is anything else you would like to ask please feel free to email me on
Kent59shooter@gmail.com
I was in the Army Cadet Force for 4 years as a cadet and another 4 years as an adult instructor. I then served 6 years reg and nearly 18 years TA. When I die (not just yet) and they cut me open, they will find my army number all the way through like 'Blackpool' in seaside rock.
That's a good length of service Ed, well done mate and thanks for commenting 👍
I’ve been out 9 years and still having problems adapting to civilian life
Same in RN kieth.
I did 12 nearly 13 years from 1979 to 1993 defence cuts all made redundant all kicked in the teeth.
I still do the same look for exits, and people watch.
Meet up witb shipmates now and again, have a few wets and swing the lamps. They get less every year as some cross the bar.
It's great to meet up with the lads when you can, thanks for commenting 👍
Inspired me Keith, I love walking the peaks of Derbyshire where I now live, but now I'm going to wear my beret with pride, veteran and proud 👍
Nothing wrong in wearing your old beret, I've had a bit of stick on here but it really doesn't worry me. Glad you are getting out there Neil all the best 👍
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd I'm considering a charity tab through the peaks, early summer, I don't cope well in the heat, or maybe through the night later on in the summer, let me know if you'd be interested 👍
@neilbunyan3090 thank you for youre service Neil
I've been back in civvy street since 1987 and i still prefer to face the room when in a pub or restaurant.
Mick, I completely get where you're coming from, maybe in todays society it's not a bad habit to have. Thank you for commenting mate, it's appreciated.
remember the rocking horse in berlin going to the grunewald miss those days ex poacher
On return from N.I.,parents-in-law thought wife and me mad as we crossed road when we saw lone parked cars and kept holding open bags when entering shops. 73 now and still can't get used to the 'ish factor' of time keeping in civvy street.
N.I. tours do seem to stay with us for years. Thank you for commenting it's appreciated 👏
Just a couple of points. As mentioned before, I left age 40, REME policy to keep the rungs of promotion going. So, medals in draw. I'm a 'civi', got to get a job, mortgage to pay. Pension won't cover all the outgoings.
I was rtu from Aden as advance party for unit return. Sent on two weeks leave (never heard the word 'decompression' before) then back to unit and get ready for everyone returning. Waiting at Liverpool Street rail station London for train to Colchester, two old dears said " been on holiday" I'm stood their in tee shirt and jeans with back pack and kitbag in December freezing so I said "Yes, just back from Aden" "Oh" they said. Aden was on TV in UK every day about something, so everyone knew what was going on. My mum was bricking it till I got on leave.
Barry, respect to you Aden Veterans, we never seem to hear much about the hard work you guys did over there mate it's such a shame
Decompression is around 4 days.... Sadly some units don't do it very well and fail those who need real help..... I was a Welfare Officer and was shocked as to the way the CoC handle those who need help.... Between that and too many who should never have been permitted to join..... It's getting worse and capita are partially to blame....
Jon I truly believe Capita have a lot to answer for, when we had the old system it seemed to work fine but we always try to reinvent the wheel.
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd sadly I often had to get involved with recruitment... eg fully qualified surgeon... And they are knit picking!! UTF...
Crapita / Capita corrupt everything they touch. No ifs, no buts.
I've been binge watching your videos, and they are so theraputic. Life after the Army?... I'm more worried about life after you run out of your great ideas for videos!!!
Thank you, that's very kind and much appreciated
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd You are so right about sitting in a far corner against a wall... I thought it was just me!!! Drives my wife nuts because she always ends up looking at the wall behind me LOL! Thinks I'm paranoid. Could you do a vid on what ORs think of Officers? The good the bad and the ugly.
At Options for change my trade was one the RAF civilianised in a big way so back to civvy street I went, but I was very lucky to get a job at sea as a rating on Stena line ferries, there was a uniform and a rank structure etc so it was a place to readjust
Good for you Donna was you working out of Dover?
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd Fishguard and Holyhead
My dad left after his first 14 years in the 1QDG and went to work as a postman (uniform), then a bus conductor (uniform) then he joined the RAF (similar uniforms to post and buses, apparently). Did 7 years then we came to Australia and he joined up, did 6 then got outa and got a job at the Sydney Opera House as security (another uniform). His last job before forced retirement was with a scouse ex-RGH; the two of them in the weighbridge were spoken to on several occasions for constantly laughing or taking the piss; HR just didn't understand poms or ex-servicemen.
I was UDR and Royal Irish, based in Antrim and Lisburn, our base locations
Served 22 years, very hard to come to terms with civie street i still live in NI , i still look at windows sit with my back to the wall , i need to watch the doors and windows, , if a car is behind me to long i go off a road to see if i am being followed, still look under my car for any prezzies,
Been doing this from 1979 untill now, i was discharged in 01 ,
In NI we had a poppy break centre, the RBL closed it as it wasn't making money, it was free and we gave in donations, , seems the money counters have forgotten the RBL is a charity,
Keep your head down
Much respect 🙏 UDR & R. Irish. Thank you
I went to join the RBL after completing 9 years in the Army. I had to go through an interview and when I mentioned that I had been in the Army the bloke said " Ah, that doesn't count for anything ". It turned out that the vast majority of the members have never served in any of the forces at all. What did it for me was when a friend of my wife lost her husband that had served almost 20 years in the Army, they refused to allow her to have a wake or even a small do to see him off. I now have nothing to do with the RBL, I do the Veterans Lottery and work with other veterans that help out forces leavers into work but as far as I am concerned, I will not step over the threshhold of any of their establishments again.
Very sad story Jeff, thank you for sharing it.
Two sad stories but it must have been a local thing, Jeff. Back in 2004, when my brother-in-law died after his 22 and 5 in the TA, the local RBL in Melton Mowbray were only too happy to help out with a wake and all that went with it.
Very sorry to hear that Jeff .
I meet an old mate for a bottle of wine every Friday. It's been growing more and more. One American came along. He really thought a firght was going to break out until he realized we are all laughing! As far as I am concerend, I am the medals in the drawer and march on. Had to, otherwise I would have not left the house.
That sounds like great fun, meeting up with an old mate on a regular basis.
I was always conscious off swinging my arms too much
I've caught myself doing that too 😆 🤣
Understand what you said about keeping your back to the wall,I found this I don't like it when people are walking behind me same applies to standing in queues in shops
It's very unnerving at times
Only veterans understand the brotherhood bond that we share. I hate the outside attitude to us. They will understand if the shi..t hits the fan in this country and they need us to defend because they can't hack it
Well said David 👏
The furthest I got was 4 years in the army cadets, but always study military and survival and hunted ,I also do what you do when we go out ,constantly watching my back and my family's back and being a ex builder I know how to banter lol ,uncles and grandad were in ,and thank you for your service sir
Thank you for your support 🙏
Sir, has Tracer Round, seen her fence. I think you've banged off a few rounds, before going down the range, to zero in your sights 😊.
sshhhh🤣😂
Mate, i learned very fast, you are as good as your last favour!
True words my friend
I do same thing here in Texas we have open carry here also mate
That's doubling the experience when guns are involved. Great to hear from the Lone Star State as always mate 👍
Am a new sub great video buddy
Thanks for the sub! It's appreciated 👏
***WELL DONE S.M. 4000 SUBS...YOUR DOING GOOD ..** ""
🫡🪖🇬🇧