rubl
Crazy Mango Extraordinaire
The wondering type
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Post by rubl on Aug 25, 2019 18:48:59 GMT 7
Lads Army (a play on Dad's Army) in which a number of volunteers underwent four weeks of basic training for 1950s National Service. Unlike the three sequel series (the ones whose titles began with "Bad"), the original programme's experiment was merely to see if 18-24 year old members of the modern British public could cope with the 1950s training, and how they compared to the public of that period. The success of the original series led to the experiment being repeated with the recruits having committed criminal offences, often given the option to undergo the training by courts as an alternative to serving pending sentences, to explore the proposition that it would be beneficial to reinstate National Service for petty criminals and delinquents as an alternative to more conventional sentences. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lads%27_Army |
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rubl
Crazy Mango Extraordinaire
The wondering type
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Likes: 8,851
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Post by rubl on Aug 25, 2019 18:50:05 GMT 7
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chiangmai
Crazy Mango Extraordinaire
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Post by chiangmai on Aug 26, 2019 13:04:57 GMT 7
I recall that approach was trialed in the US many years ago but I don't know what the outcome was or whether it's still in use, I think it's a great idea which should be followed by two years service.
I didn't think basic training was that difficult, even in the winter time in the wilds of the North Yorkshire moors. From watching those two videos it looks like the new recruits were very soft, missing home comforts and the family. For me the hardest part of the process was reconciling myself to the idea that all the yelling and the silliness was really necessary, time has shown that it isn't. Times change and along with it the thinking changes also, at one time we thought it was a brilliant idea to dress all our soldiers in bright red tunics and stand in a line in front of the enemy guns, after a couple of hundred years we decided that probably wasn't too smart!
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rubl
Crazy Mango Extraordinaire
The wondering type
Posts: 23,494
Likes: 8,851
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Post by rubl on Aug 26, 2019 14:28:04 GMT 7
I was drafted in 1979, the day I turned 24. Most in my platoon were 18 and some somewhat timid. Off course, since the Garde Grenadiers were stationed in Arnhem and me living about 5 Km from the barracks I was in a somewhat privileged position. Years later out camping laying in my sleeping bag I still missed my trusted UZI.  What I learned? I can do when I have to. I lose my sense of humour after two days without sleep. I can still sleep anywhere without a problem, although if possible on a dry underground and with my tent-half to cover my face from the rain  |
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