For Queen and (your) Country

kiwiLB57 · 05-28-2010, 11:19 AM

So life is changing for me a little bit, and I thought I would de-lurk and keep those of you interested in military matters in the loop.

I am in the Territorial Army here in the UK. It is the local equivalent to the US National Guard except that to go offshore for a combat tour you have to volunteer, it is not compulsory.

So I volunteered.

The title refers to my citizenship. I am not a British citizen or even a permanent resident. I am a New Zealand citizen under Queen Elizabeth II. I only sneak into the army on grounds of being a Commonwealth citizen with a valid non-permanent residency visa with at least 18 months left on it. What a loophole.

I leave behind my normal accountancy job at the end of next week. No more caramel lattes, no more spreadsheets and no more fixing the photocopier.

Monday 7 June sees my 365 day term of service in the regular army start. Up until recently, TA units would form up and go out for frontline service, but more in a defensive capacity rather than an active patrolling/warfighting capactiy. Now however, TA soldiers are split up and embedded in regular army platoons doing exactly the same job as the blokes in their new parent unit.

I am an infantryman and I will be joining a regular army platoon as possibly the oldest Private in NATO. We deploy to Helmand, Afghanistan sometime in October. Currently the casualty rate in Sangin (town in Helmand) is 12 times worse than the NATO average for Afghanistan.

This should be a challenge.

When I get time, I'll talk through the why, as well as the what/when/where/how/WTF.

Cheers and beers

kiwiLB57

illinifan999 · 05-28-2010, 11:21 AM

Good Luck and stay safe!

BYU 14 · 05-28-2010, 11:26 AM

Best wishes and thank you and most of all stay safe!!

molson · 05-28-2010, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwiLB57

I am in the Territorial Army here in the UK.

Do you know this guy?

JediKooter · 05-28-2010, 11:29 AM

ANZAC lives again!!! Stay frosty and give them Jerrys hell.

In all seriousness, stay safe and hope that your year there goes by fast and without incident.

I am looking forward to some good stories though.

Greyroofoo · 05-28-2010, 11:53 AM

Heh, you guys still have a queen.

DaddyTorgo · 05-28-2010, 12:20 PM

Holy Fuck. That's a serious change-of-pace kwii!! I'll be interested to hear your rationale behind that. I commend you.

Oh - and stay safe of course. And make sure somebody you leave behind has your FOFC info, just in case.

kiwiLB57 · 05-28-2010, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by molson

Do you know this guy?

Where did you get my picture.

Heh, I guess I am the closest to that mould that you might meet! But I guess that is the changing face of the Territorial Army. You can't just turn up anymore because you like to hang out with blokes in green (or deserts etc etc). It's a bit more serious.

Still a good drinking club though

kiwiLB57

kiwiLB57 · 05-28-2010, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JediKooter

ANZAC lives again!!! Stay frosty and give them Jerrys hell.

In all seriousness, stay safe and hope that your year there goes by fast and without incident.

I am looking forward to some good stories though.

ANZACs is right. We were doing live section attacks in Cumbria in April. My fireteam of four had three Kiwis and an Aussie. There are loads of Commonwealth soldiers in the British Army that can't get to Afghan / Iraq via there own governments, so fly over and swear the oath to the Queen and get their green on.

A guy in my company is a young kiwi bloke (20) who did a year in the NZ army at home and then left, came to the UK and walked in the door of the TA centre and swore the oath. He is over here purely to get a tour to Afghan done. He has been moving furniture as his civvi job and living in a doss house for eight months or so waiting for mobilisation. He is an amazing soldier and his dedication is quite humbling.

So yeah, there will be a couple of kiwi flags stashed in the gear for photo opportunities and dressing up the patrol base.

kiwiLB57

DanGarion · 05-28-2010, 03:35 PM

If you ever find yourself this way, I got some beers with your name on them.

JediKooter · 05-28-2010, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwiLB57

ANZACs is right. We were doing live section attacks in Cumbria in April. My fireteam of four had three Kiwis and an Aussie. There are loads of Commonwealth soldiers in the British Army that can't get to Afghan / Iraq via there own governments, so fly over and swear the oath to the Queen and get their green on.

A guy in my company is a young kiwi bloke (20) who did a year in the NZ army at home and then left, came to the UK and walked in the door of the TA centre and swore the oath. He is over here purely to get a tour to Afghan done. He has been moving furniture as his civvi job and living in a doss house for eight months or so waiting for mobilisation. He is an amazing soldier and his dedication is quite humbling.

That's actually pretty cool. It's kind of like the Queen signing some free agents after the season has started. Is it that simple though? Just walk in, take the oath and you're in? No extra hoops to jump through?

Quote:

So yeah, there will be a couple of kiwi flags stashed in the gear for photo opportunities and dressing up the patrol base.

kiwiLB57

Nice! Make sure some of those photos find their way here.

I remember while in Riyadh, we shared a base with British and French Air Force personnel...guess which group we hung out with?

kiwiLB57 · 05-28-2010, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JediKooter

That's actually pretty cool. It's kind of like the Queen signing some free agents after the season has started. Is it that simple though? Just walk in, take the oath and you're in? No extra hoops to jump through?

Pretty much. If you want to join the regular (full-time) army, then you don't even need a work permit or residency visa. Just fly in, go to the army recruiting centre and sign up. Flash your Aussie, Kiwi, Fijian etc passport and you are in. There are over 2000 Fijians in the Army. Enough for a brigade. Over 7% of the British Army are Commonwealth soldiers. Do five years and you get residency. Just like the French Foreign Legion without having to change your name and learn French

Slightly trickier if you want to join the Territorial Army. You need a valid residence visa or work permit before you join that must remain valid whilst you are serving. Strangely, due to bureaucracy, serving in the TA and going on tour counts zero towards renewing your residency visa.

Our regiment has just sent a company of TA soldiers out, with the Major commanding the company being an Australian management consultant.

Cheers,

kiwiLB57

Marc Vaughan · 05-28-2010, 06:43 PM

Good luck.

M GO BLUE!!! · 05-28-2010, 07:03 PM

God Bless ya!

JonInMiddleGA · 05-28-2010, 07:12 PM

Keep your head down, keep your wits about you, stay focused, get home safe & sound.

JediKooter · 05-28-2010, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwiLB57

Pretty much. If you want to join the regular (full-time) army, then you don't even need a work permit or residency visa. Just fly in, go to the army recruiting centre and sign up. Flash your Aussie, Kiwi, Fijian etc passport and you are in. There are over 2000 Fijians in the Army. Enough for a brigade. Over 7% of the British Army are Commonwealth soldiers. Do five years and you get residency. Just like the French Foreign Legion without having to change your name and learn French

Slightly trickier if you want to join the Territorial Army. You need a valid residence visa or work permit before you join that must remain valid whilst you are serving. Strangely, due to bureaucracy, serving in the TA and going on tour counts zero towards renewing your residency visa.

Our regiment has just sent a company of TA soldiers out, with the Major commanding the company being an Australian management consultant.

Cheers,

kiwiLB57

Wow, that's pretty cool. How long is training after you are signed up? 5 years can go by pretty quickly and sounds like a pretty good plan if you want to go the residency route. I think I would pass on the French Foreign Legion though, I saw what they did to Van Damme in Lionheart.

So which is better? The regular Army or the TA?

bhlloy · 05-29-2010, 01:29 AM

A ton of respect for doing this, stay safe out there.

I've always thought the ANZAC/Commonwealth connection is a big plus for the UK army - certainly in WW2 some of the toughest fighting in France fell on the ANZAC units and they acquitted themself with absolute distinction. Good to get a mix of people from around the world with different perpectives and outlooks IMO (and Aussies and Kiwis in general are just crazier than we are

)

PLD3009 · 05-29-2010, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwiLB57

ANZACs is right. We were doing live section attacks in Cumbria in April.

Hey that's my neck of the woods, where in Cumbria were you?

SirFozzie · 05-29-2010, 03:34 AM

Congrats, KiwiLB. Give em Hell, and stay safe!

sterlingice · 05-29-2010, 09:31 AM

Very cool. Keep us updated if you can

SI

Mac Howard · 05-30-2010, 08:25 PM

What Kiwis'll do to get away from New Zealand

Stay safe!

Flasch186 · 05-31-2010, 06:54 AM

kiwiLB57 · 09-09-2011, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwiLB57

So life is changing for me a little bit...

And I'm back

DaddyTorgo · 09-09-2011, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwiLB57

And I'm back

HOORAY!!!!!

Glad to hear you made it back safe!!!!

Chief Rum · 09-09-2011, 09:27 AM

Welcome back, kiwi.

Anything you wish to share about your tour? Leading up to 9/11 as we are, I am sure we would all be interested. But I understand there might be things you can't or don't want to talk about.

kiwiLB57 · 09-09-2011, 09:33 AM

Happy to share. It was a great experience and a privilege.

I am back at my desk doing my old accounting job and drinking the bad coffee. But boy is the bad coffee tasting good!

DanGarion · 09-09-2011, 09:53 AM

Good to hear you have come back safe.

Rizon · 09-09-2011, 10:24 AM

I can't even imagine going from accounting to combat. Paper cuts and burnt mouth from hot coffee are enough for me thanks.

Butter · 09-09-2011, 10:34 AM

Awesome, congrats on a safe return!

sterlingice · 09-09-2011, 10:36 AM

Good news

SI

Passacaglia · 09-09-2011, 11:16 AM

I missed this the first time! Congrats! Now, could you do a man from behind?

MIJB#19 · 09-09-2011, 12:50 PM

Welcome back!

Marc Vaughan · 09-09-2011, 12:56 PM

Welcome back

PilotMan · 09-09-2011, 01:41 PM

What a bump! Great news, welcome back!

samifan24 · 09-09-2011, 04:38 PM

Welcome back!

BYU 14 · 09-09-2011, 05:11 PM

Welcome back!!

Super Ugly · 09-10-2011, 07:04 AM

This is excellent news - welcome back.

Dutch · 09-10-2011, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JediKooter

I remember while in Riyadh, we shared a base with British and French Air Force personnel...guess which group we hung out with?

Eskon Village?

Dutch · 09-10-2011, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwiLB57

And I'm back

Thanks, now where's the AAR???

Swaggs · 09-10-2011, 08:29 AM

I missed this thread the first time around, too.

Glad to have you back safely!

kiwiLB57 · 09-12-2011, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch

Thanks, now where's the AAR???

I am normally in A Company (London Scottish), London Regiment. After volunteering for mobilisation and some intense prepatory training with the TA, we were sent to our regular army unit.

I was embedded into B Company, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (5 SCOTS) which is an infantry battalion in 16 Air Assault Brigade.

B Company was, in turn, detached from 5 SCOTS and attached to the 2 PARA Battlegroup consisting of 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment complete along with Easy Company, 3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment.

So with a little bit of sleight of hand, I managed to go from a nice TA drinking club in Westminster to the sharpest edge of the sharpest sword in the British Army infantry.

We spent three months in the UK with our new unit. I was assigned to 5 Platoon, call sign Cobra Five One Alpha. I was given the new sharpshooter rifle (L129A1) made by Lewis Machine & Tools. The Army bought a batch as a trial, I have no idea how I ended up with one, but they are awesome. Mine was called Veronica.

If somebody could give me a dummies guide to posting photos, I can upload a photo of yours truly with Veronica.

Cheers,

KiwiLB57

Kodos · 09-12-2011, 06:42 AM

I also missed this the first time. Glad you made it back to your bad coffee!

sterlingice · 09-12-2011, 07:21 AM

KiwiLB57 - I think the easiest way to post an image is to sign up for a site like Photobucket and host it there. It's free and pretty painless

SI

kiwiLB57 · 09-12-2011, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sterlingice

KiwiLB57 - I think the easiest way to post an image is to sign up for a site like Photobucket and host it there. It's free and pretty painless

SI

Ah, blocked at work. Will have a look tonight.

Cheers!

Chief Rum · 09-12-2011, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwiLB57

I am normally in A Company (London Scottish), London Regiment. After volunteering for mobilisation and some intense prepatory training with the TA, we were sent to our regular army unit.

I was embedded into B Company, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (5 SCOTS) which is an infantry battalion in 16 Air Assault Brigade.

B Company was, in turn, detached from 5 SCOTS and attached to the 2 PARA Battlegroup consisting of 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment complete along with Easy Company, 3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment.

So with a little bit of sleight of hand, I managed to go from a nice TA drinking club in Westminster to the sharpest edge of the sharpest sword in the British Army infantry.

We spent three months in the UK with our new unit. I was assigned to 5 Platoon, call sign Cobra Five One Alpha. I was given the new sharpshooter rifle (L129A1) made by Lewis Machine & Tools. The Army bought a batch as a trial, I have no idea how I ended up with one, but they are awesome. Mine was called Veronica.

If somebody could give me a dummies guide to posting photos, I can upload a photo of yours truly with Veronica.

Cheers,

KiwiLB57

The straight reading comprehension man in me (because of the various military speak designations I am not familiar with) is confused by this post.

The Tom Clancy-reading man in me absolutely loves this post.

Would love to see a picture of Veronica, lol.

JediKooter · 09-12-2011, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch

Eskon Village?

It's been so long, I don't remember to be honest. It was about a 30-40 minute bus ride outside of town.

And welcome back Kiwi!

Dutch · 09-12-2011, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JediKooter

It's been so long, I don't remember to be honest. It was about a 30-40 minute bus ride outside of town.

My guess is either Eskon Village or Al Kharj (Prince Sultan Air Base).

kiwiLB57 · 09-13-2011, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Would love to see a picture of Veronica, lol.

MobileMe Gallery

Struggling with the whole uploading thing! Is there a filesize limit?

Any tips appreciated.

Cheers!

Chief Rum · 09-13-2011, 08:37 AM

I'm as clueless as you when it comes to online photo sharing. Sorry.

But your link there works, and I followed that. That's a pretty sweet looking rifle. Although it's essentially a sniper rifle right? I was a little surprised it wasn't longer.

Anyway, good picture and thanks for sharing. I presume that is you in the pic?

JediKooter · 09-13-2011, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch

My guess is either Eskon Village or Al Kharj (Prince Sultan Air Base).

I worked on the base in the city, but, lived outside the city. I remember we lived in these big 5 room villas and each had a room to ourselves. I've got pictures somewhere, need to find them.

Nice picture there Kiwi.

05-28-2010, 11:21 AM	#2
illinifan999 Pro Rookie Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: VA	Good Luck and stay safe! __________________ Chicago Eagles 2 time ZFL champions We're "rebuilding"

05-28-2010, 11:29 AM	#5
JediKooter Coordinator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: San Diego via Sausalito via San Jose via San Diego	ANZAC lives again!!! Stay frosty and give them Jerrys hell. In all seriousness, stay safe and hope that your year there goes by fast and without incident. I am looking forward to some good stories though. __________________ I'm no longer a Chargers fan, they are dead to me Coming this summer to a movie theater near you: The Adventures of Jedikooter: Part 4

05-28-2010, 03:35 PM	#10
DanGarion Coordinator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The Great Northwest	If you ever find yourself this way, I got some beers with your name on them. __________________ Los Angeles Dodgers Check out the FOFC Groups on Facebook! and Reddit! DON'T REPORT ME BRO!

05-28-2010, 07:12 PM	#15
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05-29-2010, 09:31 AM	#20
sterlingice Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Back in Houston!	Very cool. Keep us updated if you can SI __________________ Houston Hippopotami, III.3: 20th Anniversary Thread - All former HT players are encouraged to check it out! Janos: "Only America could produce an imbecile of your caliber!" Freakazoid: "That's because we make lots of things better than other people!"

05-28-2010, 11:26 AM	#3
BYU 14 Coordinator Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The scorched Desert	Best wishes and thank you and most of all stay safe!!

05-28-2010, 11:53 AM	#6
Greyroofoo Pro Starter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alabama	Heh, you guys still have a queen.

05-28-2010, 12:20 PM	#7
DaddyTorgo Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Massachusetts	Holy Fuck. That's a serious change-of-pace kwii!! I'll be interested to hear your rationale behind that. I commend you. Oh - and stay safe of course. And make sure somebody you leave behind has your FOFC info, just in case.

05-28-2010, 06:43 PM	#13
Marc Vaughan SI Games Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Melbourne, FL	Good luck.

05-28-2010, 07:03 PM	#14
M GO BLUE!!! Pro Starter Join Date: Sep 2005	God Bless ya!

05-29-2010, 01:29 AM	#17
bhlloy Coordinator Join Date: Nov 2003	A ton of respect for doing this, stay safe out there. I've always thought the ANZAC/Commonwealth connection is a big plus for the UK army - certainly in WW2 some of the toughest fighting in France fell on the ANZAC units and they acquitted themself with absolute distinction. Good to get a mix of people from around the world with different perpectives and outlooks IMO (and Aussies and Kiwis in general are just crazier than we are )

05-29-2010, 03:34 AM	#19
SirFozzie Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: The State of Insanity	Congrats, KiwiLB. Give em Hell, and stay safe! __________________ Check out Foz's New Video Game Site, An 8-bit Mind in an 8GB world! http://an8bitmind.com

05-30-2010, 08:25 PM	#21
Mac Howard Sick as a Parrot Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Surfers Paradise, Australia	What Kiwis'll do to get away from New Zealand Stay safe! Last edited by Mac Howard : 05-30-2010 at 09:05 PM.

05-31-2010, 06:54 AM	#22
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09-09-2011, 09:27 AM	#25
Chief Rum Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Where Hip Hop lives	Welcome back, kiwi. Anything you wish to share about your tour? Leading up to 9/11 as we are, I am sure we would all be interested. But I understand there might be things you can't or don't want to talk about. __________________ . . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready.

09-09-2011, 09:33 AM	#26
kiwiLB57 H.S. Freshman Team Join Date: May 2001 Location: London, United Kingdom	Happy to share. It was a great experience and a privilege. I am back at my desk doing my old accounting job and drinking the bad coffee. But boy is the bad coffee tasting good! __________________ And He Spoke Thusly "the run it at da white boy philosophy will not xsist wif out.... da white boys" Amen

09-09-2011, 09:53 AM	#27
DanGarion Coordinator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The Great Northwest	Good to hear you have come back safe. __________________ Los Angeles Dodgers Check out the FOFC Groups on Facebook! and Reddit! DON'T REPORT ME BRO!

09-09-2011, 10:34 AM	#29
Butter Coordinator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Dayton, OH	Awesome, congrats on a safe return! __________________ My listening habits

09-09-2011, 10:36 AM	#30
sterlingice Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Back in Houston!	Good news SI __________________ Houston Hippopotami, III.3: 20th Anniversary Thread - All former HT players are encouraged to check it out! Janos: "Only America could produce an imbecile of your caliber!" Freakazoid: "That's because we make lots of things better than other people!"

09-09-2011, 11:16 AM	#31
Passacaglia Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Big Ten Country	I missed this the first time! Congrats! Now, could you do a man from behind?

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09-09-2011, 04:38 PM	#35
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09-09-2011, 05:11 PM	#36
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09-10-2011, 07:04 AM	#37
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09-10-2011, 08:29 AM	#40
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09-12-2011, 06:42 AM	#42
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09-12-2011, 07:21 AM	#43
sterlingice Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Back in Houston!	KiwiLB57 - I think the easiest way to post an image is to sign up for a site like Photobucket and host it there. It's free and pretty painless SI __________________ Houston Hippopotami, III.3: 20th Anniversary Thread - All former HT players are encouraged to check it out! Janos: "Only America could produce an imbecile of your caliber!" Freakazoid: "That's because we make lots of things better than other people!"

09-13-2011, 08:37 AM	#49
Chief Rum Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Where Hip Hop lives	I'm as clueless as you when it comes to online photo sharing. Sorry. But your link there works, and I followed that. That's a pretty sweet looking rifle. Although it's essentially a sniper rifle right? I was a little surprised it wasn't longer. Anyway, good picture and thanks for sharing. I presume that is you in the pic? __________________ . . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready.

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