Hey Muckles
Is not only when a lot of them leave the forces and start to work for a living 
a few of the blokes i worked with still had the attitude problem even before they were fully trained then once passed out they were gods gift, but these same blokes were also the ones who ended up in the mire just because they knew it all and wouldnt listen.
RDCs are just a general pointer Muckles, every one can relate to them .
ive never been in the forces but i would like to think ours are the best, if not who is? ive worked with numerous ex-forces and found them perfectly decent lads. they may not be the “best” drivers in your opinion, but i think they deserve a little respect. jon
JONBOY@RH:
ive never been in the forces but i would like to think ours are the best, if not who is? ive worked with numerous ex-forces and found them perfectly decent lads. they may not be the “best” drivers in your opinion, but i think they deserve a little respect. jon
The same respect that we all deserve… thats all I am trying to say
Rikki-UK:
My point is these guys may have an attitude but they have earnt the right to have that attitude by doing the job for the country that civilians are not asked to do.
I agree with most of your post Rikki, but can’t agree with the last part at all!
I joined the Army as a Volunteer, as does everyone else… it’s their choice, they know what the job entails, or is likely to, before joining up, it doesn’t give them the god given right to an attitude when their service is over.
Some people leaving the forces will think they know better than everyone else, but the same attitude can be found in every other profession too!
TP
Cav203k:
Sorry but…the SA80 works when it feels like it (or at least it did), how many servicemen that served in Gulf1 or Gulf 2 BOUGHT their own boots because the issue kit was a load of rubbish, how many of our esteemed warriors had to SHARE body armour?
The fact that our soldiers were unequipped is surely not the fault of the individual soldier. the fact that they done the job better than the americans who were far better equipped show the true professionalism and pride of our troops. They know they are the best and make the best of a bad job because thats what we train them to do.
3 instances of being far from the best (through no fault of their own).
I took a new bloke out at a firm I used to work for, he was ex - squaddie (even had that funny grimace they pull when they are trying to look hard), he had a class 1 & to hear him he had done it all…
He was to drive an ERF EC11 with an Olympic cab & a twin splitter gearbox, I drove it down south explaining the box as I went, we got to the tip & I showed him how to work the crane…he COULD NOT grasp the crane, I had to reverse the 12m long 8 wheeler out of the site (he refused…I cant do it is what he said) & coming round the M25 he stayed behind something doing 45, looked amazed when I told him to split a gear & get round it.
In conclusion, he told me to drop him back at the yard because HE said he was out of his league!!!
I could not read and write until someone showed me. Everyone has to learn all we are saying is that we have ex-servicemen a little latitude.
My only response was that I was glad he was no longer ‘defending’ king & country because if it had kicked off he would have been running back to his mum!
While you are quite happy running home to mum he was probably out in a situation where he could have been killed. Your comment IMHO was immature and uncalled for.
Had he earned the right to pull silly faces & tell me he had done it all backwards, forwards & sideways? I dont think so
He also told me that anything bigger than a Bedford MK was automatic so they were all like big go-carts just stop & go (his description not mine).
Yes he has earned the right to pull silly faces, however that does not exclude the theright for anyione to tell him he is being a prat. Anything bigger than a Bedford MK is not automatic eg.Sedack Foden Scammell Crusader etc. Whoever told you that was lying.
The reason they dive in where others wont is because they do as they are told ‘without question’ which is the reason some employers like them.
The reason they dive in is because they are trained they are the best and can do any job this works well in the military however not so good in Joe Bloggs Haulage. Read LucyR’s post above.
Sorry if any of this offends (it isnt intended to) but lets see all sides of it.
No offence Rikki but you still fly the flag (evident by your wording), having never flown the flag I see a different view (wouldnt do if we all thought the same, there would be no debate then).
No offence taken however I , and I guess most other professional drivers on here who have served will see things differently. Thats what makes these forums work a courteous exchange of views 
I would also say that ex forces have not ‘earned’ the right to have any attitude any more than any other person… arrogance is arrogance no matter what hat you put on it.
Read Lucys post.
zorba:
RDCs are just a general pointer Muckles, every one can relate to them
Yes but mentioning RDC’s on a Sunday makes me come out in a cold sweat and hands shake. (don’t Panic! Don’t Panic! first drop Monday Tesco’s Magor )
It may surprise you all to find out I have a great deal of respect for the British Forces. Many of my friends joined up and from my experience of working with the RAF they seem get round using sub-standard kit with a bit of thought and a lot of humour, which is better than my experience of working with the US forces.
But this respect works both ways, I have the experience to do my job it wasn’t gained through formal training, but from working it out and being shown by old hands, some who had over 40 years experience of the job. As said before its not all ex-forces, I’ve worked with some drivers for ages and never realised they had been in the forces or they’ll mention it is passing or tell some great stories in the bar.
P.S. If forces training prepares you for RDC work then you ex-sqauddies and RAF and Navy types really have my respect.
Rikki-UK:
The fact that our soldiers were unequipped is surely not the fault of the individual soldier. the fact that they done the job better than the americans who were far better equipped show the true professionalism and pride of our troops. They know they are the best and make the best of a bad job because thats what we train them to do.I could not read and write until someone showed me. Everyone has to learn all we are saying is that we have ex-servicemen a little latitude.
My only response was that I was glad he was no longer ‘defending’ king & country because if it had kicked off he would have been running back to his mum!
While you are quite happy running home to mum he was probably out in a situation where he could have been killed. Your comment IMHO was immature and uncalled for.
Had he earned the right to pull silly faces & tell me he had done it all backwards, forwards & sideways? I dont think so
He also told me that anything bigger than a Bedford MK was automatic so they were all like big go-carts just stop & go (his description not mine).
Anything bigger than a Bedford MK is not automatic eg.Sedack Foden Scammell Crusader etc. Whoever told you that was lying.
private Grimace told me they were auto (as I stated in my original post)
They dive in because they are ‘trained’ to…“dont bloody think boy…DO…stopping to think might cost your life so when I say do…DO IT”
Also, re-read my post, private grimace told me anything bigger than an MK was auto !
On another point…I do not run home to my mum, my nads are plenty big enough mate ! so dont try to berate me in that fashion… I told grimace this to his face not on a forum, would you do the same?
Just because I chose not to play action man / biggles/ nelson does not mean that I (or any other civvy driver) does not warrant the same ‘latitude’, I do not expect allowances & do not see why I should make them for others, if we can all do our job properly no-one needs any ‘latitude’
Also…& this needs to be added, if it was so bloody good why did any of you come out?
Why should society / civvy street adapt to accomodate ex forces when its the ex forces that should adapt to integrate into civilian society.
My father did 23 years in the raf, my eldest brother 9 years in the navy & the next brother 27 years in the raf, came out, couldnt handle it so went back in to do a desk job.
You want it all ways, we should adapt to suit your attitude? dont think so matey
Going to P/boro Truckfest?
JONBOY@RH:
does rct stand for rickshaws carts and taxi`s?
rice crispy tasters
Simon:
Cav203k:
[Correct me if I’m wrong but in the forces you are ‘cannon fodder’ FIRST & then you trade train??
Civvy drivers may not have full ADR incl. radioactive, PSV, forklift & sundry other ‘tickets’ that are thrown at forces personnel but the majority of civvy drivers can run rings around ex forces personnel who choose to utilise the licences they are ‘given’[Rant over]
You are wrong.
An infantry soldier (a grunt) is cannon fodder for their whole career, the higher up in the ranks, the more people they can send to get shot first
Other than that, it depends what corps you join. RAOC and RCT are stores and drivers (now combined as two sections of RLC). Or what trade you join up to learn and do. I joined the Royal Corps of Signals as a Combat Driver, granted at 20, but I could have joined at 17 and got my HGV on or near my 18th birthday.PS. Guards and Paras are included (by me) as infantry.
no matter what trade you are in the forces you are a soldier first then trade 2nd.no matter what you do let it be a mechanic,cook,office staff ( clerk ) storeman,driver anytrade,it don’t matter if your needed up the front line then that’s where you will go. 
I personaly think its about experiance! 
I doesnt matter to me where you learnt your trade as a Professional driver as long as you have learnt and beleive that you are still learning!!
I dont believe that any driver should be given special respect!! no matter where he/she learnt to drive. If they respect me as a driver, then i shall respect them! get in my way or make a daft move ex-forces or not I’ll be gunning for ya!