Reading through an article in yesterdays Mail on Sunday, by Colonel Richard Kemp CBE, former Commander of British Forces in Afghanistan, highlighting what he calls the seven eternal virtues, I was intrigued by his description of Comradeship.

"Courage is a personal attribute. But it is built on the foundations of the second eternal virtue of the British soldier, Comradeship. Our historic regimental system, still the envy of armies around the world, bonds and shapes its new recruits, some forged by council estates, care homes, sink schools and frequent visits to the police station, into powerful fighting units that are equal to any challenge.

They live, work, drink and fight together - and sometimes get arrested together. The regiment is a family, with the friendship, understanding, trust and loyalty essential to effectiveness in combat. Soldiers put their lives on the line largely because they are simply not prepared to let their mates down."

The first paragraph to me says that the modern soldier is a working class lout, that probably would be in prison, if the Army had not offerred them an alternative lifestyle.

Do you think that is a fair assessment, or am I reading too much into the Colonel's words?


The full article........
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/newsd ... P-CBE.html

Most of that is absolutely true. Neither me nor anyone I ever knew has fought for Queen, country or POK. In general terms I suppose its true but at the time of any contact, you fight for your oppos or mates - call them what you will.

The lout thing I think is a gross generalisation; any military unit, particularly other ranks in the the Army and Royal Marines, is a microcosm of society. You have your good, your bad and your ugly. The difference is the training in aggression. You'll never ever see a fight in a town where a soldier won't help out another soldier when confronted with local yobs (as happens all the time) irrespective of numbers.

Soldiers are trained in a particularly way and regimental pride is hugely important. I'll never understand why some of the old proud regimental names like the Green Howards for instance have been lost to be replaced by a faceless name of 'The Rifles'.

The Green Howards are not part of the Rifles MrI, we are now the 2nd Btn The Yorkshire regiment

Ah I stand corrected, I thought they had amalgamated all the light infantry regiments into the rifles. Even so, I think the point remains, there was a real sense pride in those old regiments.

I totally agree, but have to point out that the Green Howards were/are not a lighty infantry regiment either

I agree they were obviously not part of the LI Div but I thought their role certainly was that of a light infantry unit. I bow to your greater knowledge of the Regiment.