Ex Military/Still Serving Thread
Discussion
e600 said:
Part of the stint at Chertsey VB was development, prototype build, User and acceptance trials for Challenger ARRV. It was light years ahead of its predecessor with its 100+ tonne winch, 6.5 tonne crane, earth anchor/bulldozer and repair facilities. Doing unrestricted towing trials around Bovington with 130 + tonne was something to behold. In hindsight they were good times.
I spent some time as a civvie working on various AFV contracts to supply workshop and user manuals. We'd usually have to run through things with you folks and 20 years later I can now walk to the Chertsey site 
(it's changed a bit!)Back in '88 I was 1st Carlton Air, we'd moved the hangars to Pakefield, did a few tours with the sixers through to '92.
Rejoined as an officer of 2nd Carlton in 2012, putting the little blighters through their paces on a weekly basis now, far more rewarding this side than the beasting Akela used to give out.
Rejoined as an officer of 2nd Carlton in 2012, putting the little blighters through their paces on a weekly basis now, far more rewarding this side than the beasting Akela used to give out.
selym said:
Maracus said:
selym said:
There are a few of us TG3/4 types on here.
I left before TG3 became TG4.
Happy memories, I'm glad I joined, but I probably left at the right time. Although I still have the What if thoughts!
KernowSid said:
Yep! Ex 3 now a 4.
Posted to Spadeadam, Benson, Cottesmore, Staxton Wold and now work with the Rocks at Honington.
Locking, Oakhanger, Cosford, Portreath, TCW, Brize Ground Radio, Boulmer and now High Wycombe. I guess from your username we are same neck of the woods. Plymouth born and bred!Posted to Spadeadam, Benson, Cottesmore, Staxton Wold and now work with the Rocks at Honington.
KernowSid said:
selym said:
KernowSid said:
Yes, there are!
Wehey! Another one!Posted to Spadeadam, Benson, Cottesmore, Staxton Wold and now work with the Rocks at Honington.
I know of another TG11/4 chap who's on here, as well as a TG3, so there are a fair few of us it seems!
Brigand said:
Another one here, although I was a peanut before I was "assimilated". Only the three postings in my nine years, Coningsby, TCW then a last tour at Brize just before the 'Wing moved to Leeming.
I know of another TG11/4 chap who's on here, as well as a TG3, so there are a fair few of us it seems!
You are missing nothing Mikey! I know of another TG11/4 chap who's on here, as well as a TG3, so there are a fair few of us it seems!
Far too many passengers and crew of the Grey Funnel Line, and members of the Crab Air 5 Star Holiday Club on here 
Oct 87 - JLRRE, Dover
late 88 into 89 - 3 Trg Regt, Minley
89 - 23 Engr Regt, Osnabruck (inc 2 x attacks by IRA, 1 perpetrated by an ex RE
, and the Gulf War with 3RRF battle group)
91 - 1 Trg Regt (Depot Regt), Chatham (Artisan Trade training)
92 - 22 Engr Regt, Perham Down (Tidworth Garrison) (inc the re-role from 3 Fd Sqn to 3 Armd Engr Sqn, and Ex First Crusade which damn near destroyed SPTA and the surrounding towns
95 - 3 Trg Regt, Minley (as non-instructional permanent staff)
03 - 15 Fd Sp Sqn, Ripon (inc 8.5 months in Shaibah)
05 - 33/101 Engr Regt EOD, Wimbish (5 yrs on ammo account, last 2 as 'station post room NCO' after a "minor meltdown" involving the upturning of furniture and destruction of a UNICOM terminal)
Too much flitting about between combat trades, and not being very good at my artisan trade meant a long career ('retired' in 2012) without ever reaching the dizzy heights of Sgt's Mess membership. I also ended up on a posting cycle that had me mostly arriving at units returning from tours, and leaving before the next tour, so it was great for my marriage (and my pocket ) but left me distinctly short of 'bling' on my No2 jacket compared to some of my contemporaries.
25 years including 'Junior Leader' service, and to think I absolutely hated the training, and only stayed there to prove a point to my old man who'd confidently predicted that I'd "never make it" and that I'd "be home within two months".
Cbt Engr2/Armd Engr2/Cbt Sig1/Design Draughtsman2/Resources Specialist1 - plus a bunch of other 'minor qualifications'
FV432/FV436 - Chieftain Mk5 AVLB - Chieftain AVRE (the proper Vickers ones, not the Willich stop-gaps) + Giant Viper - Kalmar RT240 RTCH (the most fun you can have on four wheels ) as well as all the usual Series III, lightweight, Defender and 'Wolf' Landrovers, various Bedford 4/8/14 tonners and the Scammel/Leyland DROPS. Also (briefly) drove Ford Mutt, BRDM2 RKH (that one is in the land warfare museum at Duxford), MTLB, T55, T64, and ZSU 23/4 at the end of the Gulf War when we were collecting all the Sadman's toys from the desert to stop him re-using them when we withdrew.
Oct 87 - JLRRE, Dover
late 88 into 89 - 3 Trg Regt, Minley
89 - 23 Engr Regt, Osnabruck (inc 2 x attacks by IRA, 1 perpetrated by an ex RE
, and the Gulf War with 3RRF battle group)91 - 1 Trg Regt (Depot Regt), Chatham (Artisan Trade training)
92 - 22 Engr Regt, Perham Down (Tidworth Garrison) (inc the re-role from 3 Fd Sqn to 3 Armd Engr Sqn, and Ex First Crusade which damn near destroyed SPTA and the surrounding towns
95 - 3 Trg Regt, Minley (as non-instructional permanent staff)
03 - 15 Fd Sp Sqn, Ripon (inc 8.5 months in Shaibah)
05 - 33/101 Engr Regt EOD, Wimbish (5 yrs on ammo account, last 2 as 'station post room NCO' after a "minor meltdown" involving the upturning of furniture and destruction of a UNICOM terminal)
Too much flitting about between combat trades, and not being very good at my artisan trade meant a long career ('retired' in 2012) without ever reaching the dizzy heights of Sgt's Mess membership. I also ended up on a posting cycle that had me mostly arriving at units returning from tours, and leaving before the next tour, so it was great for my marriage (and my pocket
) but left me distinctly short of 'bling' on my No2 jacket compared to some of my contemporaries.25 years including 'Junior Leader' service, and to think I absolutely hated the training, and only stayed there to prove a point to my old man who'd confidently predicted that I'd "never make it" and that I'd "be home within two months".
Cbt Engr2/Armd Engr2/Cbt Sig1/Design Draughtsman2/Resources Specialist1 - plus a bunch of other 'minor qualifications'
FV432/FV436 - Chieftain Mk5 AVLB - Chieftain AVRE (the proper Vickers ones, not the Willich stop-gaps) + Giant Viper - Kalmar RT240 RTCH (the most fun you can have on four wheels
) as well as all the usual Series III, lightweight, Defender and 'Wolf' Landrovers, various Bedford 4/8/14 tonners and the Scammel/Leyland DROPS. Also (briefly) drove Ford Mutt, BRDM2 RKH (that one is in the land warfare museum at Duxford), MTLB, T55, T64, and ZSU 23/4 at the end of the Gulf War when we were collecting all the Sadman's toys from the desert to stop him re-using them when we withdrew.Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff