Life in the Army

[fliddy]

My son is considering life in the army. Does anyone have any first hand experience of this? Is there still bullying in the army?

[daniela31]

And there you have it!!

[fliddy]

There you have...... what on earth are you talking about?

[daffy654]

Does seem rather suspicious doesn't it daniela!!! I wonder if there will be mention of small hands soon in the health and fitness section???

[daniela31]

Or .....'you are so mean'

LOL

[fliddy]

This is getting rediculous now. Small hands indeed. Why would I mention small hands? Have I missed out on an 'in joke' here or something. You people really do baffle me.

[Sgt.Rock]

I'm sure there are isolated incidents of bullying and initiation cermonies but the Army has come down heavily on this sort of behaviour in recent years.

[fliddy]

Oh I see. Do you think that there any particular personalities that don't so to speak 'fit in' to Army life?

[ummmm]

Yes....camp ones.

[terambulan]

Which army is he considering? An army is a fighting force......if he's worried about bullying he could be a nurse in your local hospital.

[Sgt.Rock]

He will have to be physically fit, be able to stand up for himself and fit in with a team. Not a place for shrinking violets.

[legendis.god]

I believe its prevelant as much today as ever.
There have been recent scandals , its not just in the british forces but the world over.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4477960.stm


Hopefully its on the decline though.

[fliddy]

Well we dont really know why he wants to do it I mean he used to play with dolls more than his sister when he was young. He can sure stick up for himself though. He was always getting in the odd fight at school. He really sticks up for his sister also. To be honest me and my other half think he is slightly different to other boys but he has a very strong personality and always been into sports.

[Lonnie]

Hif fliddy,
There will always be bullying in the Army,
I've been out now for over thirty years, but that aspect of it will never change, but the incidences of it would be few and far between,

I can understand your worry as a parent, in the light of places like Deepcut, but be re-assured, if your son gets on with people, its not likely to happen to him.

Its a good thing your son is considering, its a good life, and if he goes in with the right attitude, he could go far.

Good luck to him.

[Lonnie]

Apologies, I had to leave the computor for a bit, and missed your last, if he;s into sports, mainly Boxing, Football and Rugby, there's no 'could' about it, he will go far.

[derekpara]

There are jobs in the army to suit all personalities and ablilities many of which provide full qualifications for work in civvy street. My experience is in the Airborne Forces and as well as the Parachute Regiment there are other supporting units with an airborne facility, other than 'sharp-end' fighting ie Engineers, Signals, Medics etc. Get him to look at 'P Company' training on You Tube to give some idea of the selection process. Not, as Sgt. Rock says, for shrinking violets but great for adrenaline addicts !