Britain's top soldier

[moonraker]

All service men are born and spend time as civilians, not all civilians spend time as service men. As to the AIB telling Alpine he would get into Dartmouth, by his own admission it was never tested was it, so he is claiming something that was never proven, and in any case getting into Dartmouth is nothing to shout about 2 A Levels and lack of chin generally suffice!

[alpine_saint]

All service men are born and spend time as civilians, not all civilians spend time as service men. As to the AIB telling Alpine he would get into Dartmouth, by his own admission it was never tested was it, so he is claiming something that was never proven, and in any case getting into Dartmouth is nothing to shout about 2 A Levels and lack of chin generally suffice!

 

Deary deary me. Talk about a Freudian slip there. So now we know moonraker despises officers, and I suspect Viking w*nker and VFTT are cut from the same cloth. All officers are chinless wonders, apparently. And an officer is "stupid" too, needing only 2 A levels when I seem to recall that actually a direct entry Engineering officer needed a Batchelor Honours degree in engineering, let alone the MSc that I did in addition, that had a recruitment office on my last contact with them begging me to re-take the AIB even at the age of 32....

 

Oh, and if a member of the AIB team tells me my level of performance merited a Dartmouth place, telling me it was never tested is a bit of an odd comment, since it seems I already proved my ability.

 

But again, apparently all officers are chinless wonders...

[moonraker]

Deary deary me. Talk about a Freudian slip there. So now we know moonraker despises officers, and I suspect Viking w*nker and VFTT are cut from the same cloth. All officers are chinless wonders, apparently. And an officer is "stupid" too, needing only 2 A levels when I seem to recall that actually a direct entry Engineering officer needed a Batchelor Honours degree in engineering, let alone the MSc that I did in addition, that had a recruitment office on my last contact with them begging me to re-take the AIB even at the age of 32....

 

Oh, and if a member of the AIB team tells me my level of performance merited a Dartmouth place, telling me it was never tested is a bit of an odd comment, since it seems I already proved my ability.

 

But again, apparently all officers are chinless wonders...

 

Your ability to misinterpret is boundless, Freudian it was not just a pop at your unproven claims an, officer at the AIB telling you something proves nothing. I have the greatest respect for the Royal Navy officer cadre and have many good friends who are or have served including some who have reached very senior rank. I am fully aware of Engineering Officer academic requirements, you may have achieved those but the tone of your posts tell me the navy was/is better of without you.

[alpine_saint]

Your ability to misinterpret is boundless, Freudian it was not just a pop at your unproven claims an, officer at the AIB telling you something proves nothing. I have the greatest respect for the Royal Navy officer cadre and have many good friends who are or have served including some who have reached very senior rank. I am fully aware of Engineering Officer academic requirements, you may have achieved those but the tone of your posts tell me the navy was/is better of without you.

 

Yes, because you can tell a whole lot more about a person from a few internet chat-site posts than an experienced group of officers can from 2 days of intense evaluation, cant you ? From my perspective it suggests a pompous streak to your personality. But then the general tenor of your posts tends towards lecturing others, I find.

 

The comment about me having performed sufficiently well that under normal circumstances I would have been offered a place at Dartmouth was part of my official feedback from the AIB panel, so I really dont get the point you are making. Who knows if I would have been a good officer or not ? Not me, not you, and not the other ex-service w*nkahs on here. And I havent claimed that I would have. It is for me a sad regret that circumstances prevented me from finding out.

 

I still think as a UK citizen I have the right to comment on our armed forces, and imo I dont like the Prince of Wales being handed ribbon after ribbon without having done something to earn them. It smacks to me of a banana republic mentality. Deal with it.

[Thedelldays]

Yes, because you can tell a whole lot more about a person from a few internet chat-site posts than an experienced group of officers can from 2 days of intense evaluation, cant you ? From my perspective it suggests a pompous streak to your personality. But then the general tenor of your posts tends towards lecturing others, I find.

 

The comment about me having performed sufficiently well that under normal circumstances I would have been offered a place at Dartmouth was part of my official feedback from the AIB panel, so I really dont get the point you are making. Who knows if I would have been a good officer or not ? Not me, not you, and not the other ex-service w*nkahs on here. And I havent claimed that I would have. It is for me a sad regret that circumstances prevented me from finding out.

 

I still think as a UK citizen I have the right to comment on our armed forces, and imo I dont like the Prince of Wales being handed ribbon after ribbon without having done something to earn them. It smacks to me of a banana republic mentality. Deal with it.

LOL

 

so clueless its untrue

[alpine_saint]

LOL

 

so clueless its untrue

 

And why is that then ? Are you captable or articulating your reasoning ? A pity you've decided to join in with the other squaddie/bootneck morons.

 

People who judge others based on internet posting are w*nkers.

 

The stuff I posted about the AIB and my own feelings are the facts of the situation.

 

And I am entitled to think that the arse-kssing round Charles is ridiculous and makes Britain look stupid.

[Viking Warrior]

Alps the more I look into your claim about becoming an engineering officer the more I think you are a walter mitty style character.

 

See below

 

MARINE ENGINEER OFFICER

Age: 17 to 29.

Nationality: British, Irish, Commonwealth or

British dual citizenship.

Qualifications: A degree in an engineering or

physics-based subject, 180 UCAS

points and five GCSEs (A* to C)

or Scottish Standard grades or

equivalent, which must include

English and maths.

Sex: This job is open to both men and

women.

 

 

For this job you obviously have to be technically

minded, but you’ll also need to be resourceful

and inventive, with the ability to solve problems

in highly demanding conditions. Above all, you’ll

need to be concerned with the welfare, morale

and training and development of the team of

skilled technicians who’ll look to you for expertise,

management and leadership.

Initial training

You’ll begin your career at Britannia Royal Naval

College (BRNC) in Dartmouth. You’ll spend

30 training weeks here, with the course split into three

10-week phases. These are: Military Skills, Maritime

Skills and Initial Fleet Time. The military skills phase

includes learning leadership and teamwork skills and

the principles of command and management. You

will put these into practice during several exercises

on Dartmoor. During the maritime skills phase you’ll

be taught to handle small ships on the River Dart

and there will be exercises to test you. In the third

phase, Initial Fleet Time, you’ll spend 10 weeks at sea,

working in every department on board, learning how

the ship operates and gaining first-hand experience of

life in a warship. Finally, you’ll return to BRNC for your

passing out parade where your family and friends will

have the opportunity to witness your joining the Royal

Navy as an officer.

Professional training

Your professional Royal Navy training begins

with the 10-month systems engineering and

management course at HMS Sultan in Gosport.

Here you’ll learn about gas turbines, diesel

generators, hydraulics, refrigeration, water

production, air and transmission systems and also

maintenance strategies that involve our philosophy

of providing maintenance that centres on reliability.

You’ll then go to sea as an Assistant Marine

Engineer Officer and gain propulsion plant operating

certificates, a good understanding of how to

manage the team and how damage control works in

peacetime and war situations. When you’ve finished,

you’ll return to HMS Sultan to learn how to run your

own engineering department before taking up a

post as a ship’s Deputy Marine Engineer Officer. Our

training is accredited by the IMechE and IMarEST and

forms part of the Royal Navy’s streamlined route to

professional registration.

 

 

Joining the RFA as an Engineering Officer Cadet through the HND route"

I have applied with the RFA to become an officer cadet, I am 23 and have been a mechanic since i was 16, I applied with the RFA because i wanted to better myself and secure a good future for myself, I am extremely enthusiastic to join but to be honest i dont know as much about the RFA, RN or RM as much as i should! I have my pyschometric test on tuesday which im not worrying about too much, its the sift interview and then the AIB interview that are my main concern. If anyone could advise me or point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated!

 

-How hard is the RFA to get into compared to the RN?

-How much knowledge am i expected to know at this stage?

-What areas should i concentrate on?

-What is involved in both the sift and AIB interviews?

-Is there anything obvious that newbies like me tend to fail on?

-Also Anything else that anyone feels relevent would be great!

 

Response

 

I'm about to start as a FD deck cadet.

The recruitment process for the RFA is very similar to the RN, however the RFA only take on about 20 engineering officer cadets a year due to the curent financial situation the numbers are even less so competition is high.

Knowledge you are expected to be able to prove to the recruitment team that you are serious about joining so basically as much as possible. Know your training route, different ships, roll of and engineering officer etc.

The sift is a formal chat you needto demonstrate that youare ready for the AIB.

The AIB, there is loads of info on here about it. It is hard but is there for you to show your abilities as a leader. My advice is preparation the more you do the easier it will be.

[Thedelldays]

And why is that then ? Are you captable or articulating your reasoning ? A pity you've decided to join in with the other squaddie/bootneck morons.

 

People who judge others based on internet posting are w*nkers.

 

The stuff I posted about the AIB and my own feelings are the facts of the situation.

 

And I am entitled to think that the arse-kssing round Charles is ridiculous and makes Britain look stupid.

he is going to be head of all the armed forces soon

so angry alpine

[alpine_saint]

Alps the more I look into your claim about becoming an engineering officer the more I think you are a walter mitty style character.

 

Really ? Try to explain why you think so; how you have managed to draw such a different conclusion from my AIB based on my internet posting.

 

You are just making yourself look daft.

[Viking Warrior]

For Alps

 

THE AIB look for various charateristics in the process. it is not about what colour socks you wear. it is about team and leadership qualities. the interview is a small part of the process, see the following.You fail on many

 

Through the various tests, practical exercises and final interview, the Board will assess you on the following.

Effective intelligence – where you can demonstrate common sense and the ability to solve practical and intellectual problems.

Leadership – where you show signs of leadership but can also be an effective team member.

Powers of communication – where you communicate verbally and non-verbally(body language).

Values – where you display the values of commitment, courage, discipline, respect for others, integrity and loyalty.

Motivation – where you demonstrate developed understanding and reasons for wanting to join the Naval Service.

Joining the Naval Service is a big step Your Initial Officer training and any future professional training will be long and

demanding, so the Board will need evidence that you’re fully committed to your choice of career. They’ll want to hear about what

motivated you to apply for this career and what steps you’ve taken to confirm to

yourself that it’s the right decision.

They’ll also want to be sure you understand the implications of being part of a fighting service and that you’ll be comfortable living and working within a disciplined community and chain of command. They’ll also be keen to see what drives you and how you react in unfamiliar and challenging situations.

Who’s on the Board

Your AIB will consist of three people.

As well as the Board President (who’ll be

a Captain or Commander) there’ll be a

Lieutenant Commander and a Lieutenant.

Specialist officers may take their place on

the Board assessing candidates for the

Royal Marines, Royal Navy Medical Services,

Chaplaincy Service, Submarine Service, Fleet

Air Arm, Royal Naval and Royal Marines

Reserve and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

[alpine_saint]

he is going to be head of all the armed forces soon

 

And ? Whats the point in his promotions, really, apart from making him look even more ridiculous in some sort of Idi Amin type way ?

 

I have never read about George VI doing this with Elizabeth.

[alpine_saint]

For Alps

 

THE AIB look for various charateristics in the process. it is not about what colour socks you wear. it is about team and leadership qualities. the interview is a small part of the process, see the following.You fail on many

 

Through the various tests, practical exercises and final interview, the Board will assess you on the following.

Effective intelligence – where you can demonstrate common sense and the ability to solve practical and intellectual problems.

Leadership – where you show signs of leadership but can also be an effective team member.

Powers of communication – where you communicate verbally and non-verbally(body language).

Values – where you display the values of commitment, courage, discipline, respect for others, integrity and loyalty.

Motivation – where you demonstrate developed understanding and reasons for wanting to join the Naval Service.

Joining the Naval Service is a big step Your Initial Officer training and any future professional training will be long and

demanding, so the Board will need evidence that you’re fully committed to your choice of career. They’ll want to hear about what

motivated you to apply for this career and what steps you’ve taken to confirm to

yourself that it’s the right decision.

They’ll also want to be sure you understand the implications of being part of a fighting service and that you’ll be comfortable living and working within a disciplined community and chain of command. They’ll also be keen to see what drives you and how you react in unfamiliar and challenging situations.

Who’s on the Board

Your AIB will consist of three people.

As well as the Board President (who’ll be

a Captain or Commander) there’ll be a

Lieutenant Commander and a Lieutenant.

Specialist officers may take their place on

the Board assessing candidates for the

Royal Marines, Royal Navy Medical Services,

Chaplaincy Service, Submarine Service, Fleet

Air Arm, Royal Naval and Royal Marines

Reserve and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

 

Sorry, you havent a clue.

 

Embarassed for you.

[Thedelldays]

And ? Whats the point in his promotions, really, apart from making him look even more ridiculous in some sort of Idi Amin type way ?

 

I have never read about George VI doing this with Elizabeth.

because mummy is doing a handover......cant believe is bothers you so much

 

so, where did you go for your AIB.....tell us about it

[Viking Warrior]

Not daft at all alpines , just very suspicious of some of your posts and claims , Have I touched a raw nerve????

 

http://prmc.royalnavy.mod.uk/showthread.php?t=11560

http://www.navy-net.co.uk/newbies/36732-aib-all-about-admiralty-interview-board-officer-selection-169.html

 

You can also become an engineering officer through an HND route.

 

 

One thing yoiu dont possess ins integrity and leadership skills

[Viking Warrior]

You dont need to be embarrassed for me Walt . but thanks for caring

[alpine_saint]

Not daft at all alpines , just very suspicious of some of your posts and claims , Have I touched a raw nerve????

 

http://prmc.royalnavy.mod.uk/showthread.php?t=11560

http://www.navy-net.co.uk/newbies/36732-aib-all-about-admiralty-interview-board-officer-selection-169.html

 

You can also become an engineering officer through an HND route.

 

 

One thing yoiu dont possess ins integrity and leadership skills

 

I took the AIB back in 1985 or 86, I cant remember. Any anyway, I havent given any details for you to be suspicious about, so I am afraid you are talking out of your sphincter - again.

 

And your comment about stating I have no integrity or leadership skills, based on my posts about Football, just has to qualify as the most ridiculous attack on me every posted on this site. Nice one..

[alpine_saint]

because mummy is doing a handover......cant believe is bothers you so much

 

so, where did you go for your AIB.....tell us about it

 

What, so you can try to trip me up on my memories from quarter of a century ago ? No thanks.

 

And Viking W*nker questions my integrity...

[Viking Warrior]

Alps only in your small mind do I have a pop at you on all your posts. Not true.

 

On the football threads I have a pop at you because you are ultra negative about saints

 

and when It comes to the lounge. I have agreed with you on some aspects if you did your research.

 

As for this thread this is about you having a pop at the military and royalty. I swore my allegience to the queen and I stand by that . I make no apologies to you about your constant jibes about the military etc , You seriously offended me about your comment re powder monkeys and stokers.

 

As I said previously my girlfriends father's brother was on HMS Martin and lost his life when it got hit off Noth Africa. Harold Athawes Stoker 1st Class.

 

I worked in a recruiting office in london in the early 80's and I was fully aware of the requirements for people to become officers which ever the three services they wished to join. If it was specific to Navy or RAF I would then pass them to my colleagues for those services.

[alpine_saint]

Alps only in your small mind do I have a pop at you on all your posts. Not true.

 

On the football threads I have a pop at you because you are ultra negative about saints

 

and when It comes to the lounge. I have agreed with you on some aspects if you did your research.

 

As for this thread this is about you having a pop at the military and royalty. I swore my allegience to the queen and I stand by that . I make no apologies to you about your constant jibes about the military etc , You seriously offended me about your comment re powder monkeys and stokers.

 

As I said previously my girlfriends father's brother was on HMS Martin and lost his life when it got hit off Noth Africa. Harold Athawes Stoker 1st Class.

 

I worked in a recruiting office in london in the early 80's and I was fully aware of the requirements for people to become officers which ever the three services they wished to join. If it was specific to Navy or RAF I would then pass them to my colleagues for those services.

 

Sorry, you'll have to point out to me where I insulted stokers.

 

My point was clearly missed on you, it seems. I was taking the p*ss out of the "guard at the gate" syndome which, you, VFTT and TDD apparently suffer from - that you know everything about the services even though I reckoned it highly unlikely that your roles allowed you to have such an overview. I simply used stokers and powder monkey as examples. I called TDD a cook a few weeks ago, but said nothing about cooks being tw*ts or something.

 

Fine, you have some experience with the recruitment programme through your postings, so you have partly qualified some of your comments - accepted. Now have a similar courtesy back and demonstrate a bit of respect over my comments about my AIB and just accept that although I am a Monarchist and supported of the Queen I also find Charles's ego explosions tiresome and think we will have a weak, arrogant and vain King at the unfortunate time when the Queen will pass away.

[alpine_saint]

Oh, one last point that actually triggered my ire on this occasion.

 

Look at the thread title. It infers Charles is somehow the best soldier in the army, when actually he just struts around with loads of gold braiding that he hasnt earned by anything more than accident of birth.

[Thedelldays]

Oh, one last point that actually triggered my ire on this occasion.

 

Look at the thread title. It infers Charles is somehow the best soldier in the army, when actually he just struts around with loads of gold braiding that he hasnt earned by anything more than accident of birth.

he is not wearing anything to earn.....christ almighty

IT IS A CEREMONIAL TITLE...

much like the Lord LT of Hampshire and so on and so on.

[alpine_saint]

he is not wearing anything to earn.....christ almighty

IT IS A CEREMONIAL TITLE...

much like the Lord LT of Hampshire and so on and so on.

 

You can earn the same ranks through performance that Charles has just been gifted. You cannot work to become Lord Lt of Hampshire.

 

Charles will wear the uniform of his new higher ranks.

 

Sorry, I think this "honourary" excuse is weak. If he woke up and decided to start attending and interrupting staff meetings at Brigade level or some suchlike, he will bloody well do so because of the British doffing the cap crap.

 

Question : Why did the Queen not make him "Lord High Admiral" instead of "Admiral of the Fleet", to at least in the case of the RN make a clear distinction that the title is honourary ?

Edited 18 June, 2012 by alpine_saint

[Thedelldays]

You can earn the same ranks through performance that Charles has just been gifted. You cannot work to become Lord Lt of Hampshire.

 

Charles will wear the uniform of his new higher ranks.

 

Sorry, I think this "honourary" excuse is weak. If he woke up and decided to start attending and interrupting staff meetings at Brigade level or some suchlike, he will bloody well do so because of the British doffing the cap crap.

 

Question : Why did the Queen not make him "Lord High Admiral" instead of "Admiral of the Fleet", to at least in the case of the RN make a clear distinction that the title is honourary ?

actually alpine....I can't earn the rank of admiral of the fleet....HTH

[alpine_saint]

actually alpine....I can't earn the rank of admiral of the fleet....HTH

 

Well I would argue that Lewin, Leach, Oswald, Staveley and Fieldhouse earnt it....

[Thedelldays]

Well I would argue that Lewin, Leach, Oswald, Staveley and Fieldhouse earnt it....

it ceased to exists in that capacity in 1996 and since then became an honorary rank..

 

HTH

[mickn]

Oh, one last point that actually triggered my ire on this occasion.

 

Look at the thread title. It infers Charles is somehow the best soldier in the army, when actually he just struts around with loads of gold braiding that he hasnt earned by anything more than accident of birth.

 

I actually read the opening post as being sarcastic, perhaps I was wrong

[alpine_saint]

it ceased to exists in that capacity in 1996 and since then became an honorary rank..

 

HTH

 

My understanding is that it can still be used as an active rank, even if the intent is for regular appointments to no longer take place.

[alpine_saint]

I actually read the opening post as being sarcastic, perhaps I was wrong

 

Difficult to say with licky-looos like TDD, VFTT and Viking Warrior about.

[Thedelldays]

My understanding is that it can still be used as an active rank, even if the intent is for regular appointments to no longer take place.

it is an honorary rank...it ceased to exists in an operational sense in 1996

as much as there USED to be a 3rd, 4th and 5th Sea Lord of the Admiralty.

 

times change alpine

 

even that last bloke to hold the "rank", Sir Benjamin Bathhurst was awarded the title upon his retirement and it was held in an honorary position

Edited 18 June, 2012 by Thedelldays

[alpine_saint]

it is an honorary rank...it ceased to exists in an operational sense in 1996

as much as there USED to be a 3rd, 4th and 5th Sea Lord of the Admiralty.

 

times change alpine

 

even that last bloke to hold the "rank", Sir Benjamin Bathhurst was awarded the title upon his retirement and it was held in an honorary position

 

Ok, so "Admiral of the Fleet" fits in better with modern thinking for giving the heir to the throne plenty of gold brading for nothing than "Lord High Admiral". Fair enough.

 

And just to show I can use Wikipedia as good as you, TDD, it seems there can only be one Lord High Admiral and Phillip only got it in 2011 from the Queen, so its obvious that Phillip blocked Charles from a bit more gold braid on this occasion...

[Durleyfos]

I actually read the opening post as being sarcastic, perhaps I was wrong

 

Once I'd clicked the link, I could almost taste the sarcasm.

[moonraker]

It is pretty normal to confer honoury titles, ranks and awards on members of the Royal Family in a constitutuional monarchy it is not unique to the House of Windsor and the United Kingdom.

[alpine_saint]

It is pretty normal to confer honoury titles, ranks and awards on members of the Royal Family in a constitutuional monarchy it is not unique to the House of Windsor and the United Kingdom.

 

Indeed, as tim wrote, its common practice in places like Uganda, Libya and sh*tty little principalites like Monaco too.

 

I also dont like the way POTUS salutes the Marines even if he hasnt served.

[Thedelldays]

Indeed, as tim wrote, its common practice in places like Uganda, Libya and sh*tty little principalites like Monaco too.

and UK, france, germany, denmark, norway, etc etc etc

[buctootim]

and UK, france, germany, denmark, norway, etc etc etc

 

Er nope. Not in France or Germany at least.

Edited 18 June, 2012 by buctootim

[Thedelldays]

The USA do

[buctootim]

The USA do

 

Nope. Still wrong. Only a real general wears a uniform

 

[Thedelldays]

Nope. Still wrong.

they bloody well do.

they don't give out MBE or other noble titles so that is the next best thing (for them)

 

 

are you saying that the USA do NOT give out honorary military ranks..?

is that what you are saying..?

[The Kraken]

they bloody well do.

they don't give out MBE or other noble titles so that is the next best thing (for them)

 

 

are you saying that the USA do NOT give out honorary military ranks..?

is that what you are saying..?

 

Colonel Sanders was an honorary colonel.

[buctootim]

they bloody well do.

they don't give out MBE or other noble titles so that is the next best thing (for them)

 

 

are you saying that the USA do NOT give out honorary military ranks..?

is that what you are saying..?

 

 

Pretty weak attempt at shifting the point of the thread elswhere DD. Must try harder. The US, Germany, FRance, Italy, Spain etc - all our major rivals / allies dont make their Heads of State play dress up soldiers and look stupid like Prince Charles. .

[Thedelldays]

Pretty weak attempt at shifting the point of the thread elswhere DD. Must try harder. The US, Germany, FRance, Italy, Spain etc - all our major rivals / allies dont make their Heads of State play dress up soldiers and look stupid like Prince Charles. .

I know that...but then again, their heads of state actually make decisions...ours don't

 

here is the king of spain...in his military glory

[Thedelldays]

more spannish royals

[Thedelldays]

here is the spannish king at the Madrid palace

[moonraker]

Indeed, as tim wrote, its common practice in places like Uganda, Libya and sh*tty little principalites like Monaco too.

 

I also dont like the way POTUS salutes the Marines even if he hasnt served.

 

Or very enlightened countries like Sweden, Noray and Holland, last time I looked Uganda and Libya were not constitutional monarchies.

[Thedelldays]

dutch royals in the military atire

[Thedelldays]

king of sweden

[Thedelldays]

infact, go through all the kings/queens and you find the same pictures...all in their ceremonial military dress...

 

odd that, seeing as it is only "banana republics" that do this

[Thedelldays]

oh...here is one from france...you know, the place you say they NEVER do it..

His Royal Highness, the Count of Paris, Prince Henri

Edited 18 June, 2012 by Thedelldays

[Thedelldays]

oh...timmy

the Prince of Prussia...a GERMAN, who's great great grand daddy was the Kaiser....hold the highest military awards (german of course), The Order of the Black eagle being one...

why is that?

Edited 18 June, 2012 by Thedelldays

[moonraker]

The acid test is whether the Armed Forces are offended by members of the Royal Family donning the uniforms of their service without actually earning it through military service. Whilst there may be some who object my experience of 40 years working in and with the armed forces is that they welcome the Royal Family in all its guises and do not object to them donning of military uniforms.