I've done combat deployments to both Afghanistan and Iraq

Originally Posted by VanChilds

I've done combat deployments to both Afghanistan and Iraq

how was it may i ask

Afghanistan was really rough and lean living. I was in a remote firebase with about 50-60 total guys. Air support went black all the time and we were at the far end of the logistics line. Consequently we knew when we got in a fight help wasn't near by. I never carried more than 7 mags and two grenades in Iraq. I never left the wire in Afghanistan w/o 10+ mags and several grenades. 75+ pounds of kit is a real bitch to lug around the Hindu Kush and 6000+ ft aint no joke. The taliban are good fighters and earned my respect. They know their terrain and can bring a lot of fire power when they want to. The living is really tough but the fight is no shit infantry tactics. I'd rather go back to Afghanistan any day of the week then Iraq. I got in some good gun fights in Baghdad but all to often I watched our gun trucks get blown up with no recourse. I'll take rough lean living with an enemy I can discern than huge bases and amenities where I drive around hoping not to get blown up.

Originally Posted by VanChilds

Afghanistan was really rough and lean living. I was in a remote firebase with about 50-60 total guys. Air support went black all the time and we were at the far end of the logistics line. Consequently we knew when we got in a fight help wasn't near by. I never carried more than 7 mags and two grenades in Iraq. I never left the wire in Afghanistan w/o 10+ mags and several grenades. 75+ pounds of kit is a real bitch to lug around the Hindu Kush and 6000+ ft aint no joke. The taliban are good fighters and earned my respect. They know their terrain and can bring a lot of fire power when they want to. The living is really tough but the fight is no shit infantry tactics. I'd rather go back to Afghanistan any day of the week then Iraq. I got in some good gun fights in Baghdad but all to often I watched our gun trucks get blown up with no recourse. I'll take rough lean living with an enemy I can discern than huge bases and amenities where I drive around hoping not to get blown up.

wow, sounds insane

In the US we have whats called the National Guard and Reserve. One joins the org and after completion of basic training and advanced individual training you go and train one weekend a month, plus a two week training exercise (usually in the summer). These units can be activated for state/national emergencies as well as worldwide deployments. Quite often you can do as small as a 2 yr gig. Does the UK offer anything like this? While national guard/reserve here in the US still is very different than active duty it can give someone a better idea of how well the Army lifestyles suites them.

Originally Posted by VanChilds

In the US we have whats called the National Guard and Reserve. One joins the org and after completion of basic training and advanced individual training you go and train one weekend a month, plus a two week training exercise (usually in the summer). These units can be activated for state/national emergencies as well as worldwide deployments. Quite often you can do as small as a 2 yr gig. Does the UK offer anything like this? While national guard/reserve here in the US still is very different than active duty it can give someone a better idea of is the Army lifestyle is suited to them.

yeah i think we have something along them lines its called the T.A territorial army, might have a look at it to be honest mate. do u enjoy ur life as a soldier

I love it but it is most definitely not for everyone

Originally Posted by VanChilds

I love it but it is most definitely not for everyone

thanks for the insight mate, u been a great help

Honesty Paddy, there is routine everywhere, no matter how and there is one especially in the armed forces where more or less everything is "drilled". If you do that to escape routine, I think that it is not the best way. The good side of your job is a steady pay, not too much stress and you can be on vacations whenever you chose to, in the Marines it'll be more complicated, take that in consideration if you decide to make the swap.

i just passed out of the royal marines last week so anything you need to know ill be happy to help just holla at me mate.

Originally Posted by gally

i just passed out of the royal marines last week so anything you need to know ill be happy to help just holla at me mate.

how was ur training mate

Originally Posted by VanChilds

Afghanistan was really rough and lean living. I was in a remote firebase with about 50-60 total guys. Air support went black all the time and we were at the far end of the logistics line. Consequently we knew when we got in a fight help wasn't near by. I never carried more than 7 mags and two grenades in Iraq. I never left the wire in Afghanistan w/o 10+ mags and several grenades. 75+ pounds of kit is a real bitch to lug around the Hindu Kush and 6000+ ft aint no joke. The taliban are good fighters and earned my respect. They know their terrain and can bring a lot of fire power when they want to. The living is really tough but the fight is no shit infantry tactics. I'd rather go back to Afghanistan any day of the week then Iraq. I got in some good gun fights in Baghdad but all to often I watched our gun trucks get blown up with no recourse. I'll take rough lean living with an enemy I can discern than huge bases and amenities where I drive around hoping not to get blown up.

You've chosen a tough life there.
Good luck.

Originally Posted by paddy448

Originally Posted by VanChilds

In the US we have whats called the National Guard and Reserve. One joins the org and after completion of basic training and advanced individual training you go and train one weekend a month, plus a two week training exercise (usually in the summer). These units can be activated for state/national emergencies as well as worldwide deployments. Quite often you can do as small as a 2 yr gig. Does the UK offer anything like this? While national guard/reserve here in the US still is very different than active duty it can give someone a better idea of is the Army lifestyle is suited to them.

yeah i think we have something along them lines its called the T.A territorial army, might have a look at it to be honest mate. do u enjoy ur life as a soldier

Sound advice there ,wade in up to your hips see if you like it before going in over your head.

My cousin was in something out here where they used to do stuff like send them into a building, fill the building full of some cemical gas and you had to know what it was fight the onset in your mind and get the right injection out of your kit and get the correct stuff into your system before you dropped and they have to come and get you.

Full kit ,walls of fire with only a small exit hole etc. Testing and very exciting stuff.

i seen this new Marines advert last week while i was at the cinema.I trained alongside some guys in the Marines while i was at Cattrick a few years ago and their were really good tough guys to train along with.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhahiQJhfTo

P.S,if that was me in the water i would have blown away that bad guy straight away,bollocks for waiting for my brothers,sorry but true,Kill or be Killed situation right there!

Originally Posted by yvonne

i seen this new Marines advert last week while i was at the cinema.I trained alongside some guys in the Marines while i was at Cattrick a few years ago and their were really good tough guys to train along with.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhahiQJhfTo

P.S,if that was me in the water i would have blown away that bad guy straight away,bollocks for waiting for my brothers,sorry but true,Kill or be Killed situation right there!

good advert that mate, i agree i would of chopped that mutherfukker down straight away