Army 10 in drug swoop

[daibeer]

quite right stu, well put

[Barry69]

The Famous words of my old Pl Sgt Paul Nash whilst in Irelnd in 86 "Quote" You Pays your money and you takes your chances! No Sympathy I am afraid

"Thats Life" get on with it.

[ap1]

Only a complete retard takes drugs in the Army. It doesnt matter how many tours or how difficult the situation was, taking illegal substances whilst serving makes them a risk to themselves and to others.

Spot on Stu. At least one member of this website fought the Japanese along Railway Corridor in Burma 1944-45 as a fusilier with 2 RWF. I suspect that was pretty tough as well, and there would have been a distinct lack of Class A drugs in his ration pack(if the supply drops arrived). Its shamefull, and detracts from the outstanding work the guys(and girls) have done over the last couple of years.

Its also true that anyone who has served in the last 30 yrs would have most likely been offered the chance to partake in some recreational drugs. You make your decision knowing the consequences, which when I was a Fusilier was 6months at Colly guaranteed and a dishonourable discharge. What an incentive.

[sox3044]

Totaly agree there stu, theres was drugs kicking around in berlin, i remeber catching 3 lads locked in their room in A Coy with the roaches of the joints out side the window we placed em in plastic bag for rmp who the COS called out, we where told there was nothing we could do they got away with it.

There are genuine cases of people being spiked i know first hand as it happened to me, not a nice feeling and the hope of not getting CDT in that period and trying to convince people your not on drugs. I grew up in Cardiff with lads who where smoking joints daily and although i admit to trying it b4 i joined it was never for me. My son is 14 and wants to join the regiment hes alredy admitted to me hes tried class A drugs that are freely available in the schools. What can you do as a parent living with your kids let alone when you work abroard. So yes its back to the society issue i think, i bet at least 8 out of the 10 had tried them b4 they had joined. And like my son clearly states its peer pressure for most dad nothing else.

I also know a couple of 18 year old kids who had never taken drugs went off to Uni and had to be pulled out by their parents after a year, due to the total addiction they had. 2 bright kids ruined.

The other factor is the lads who do get caught probably dont even have to declare they where discharged for drugs when seeking employment.

[HOWIE WILLIAMS]

The lads involved in this scandal have only themselves to blame. No one forced them into the careers office, they made their own way there and I`m sure like mine, their parents and mates were very proud of them for doing so. They were aware of the theatres they may be deployed to and I`m sure they`ve received a few free drinks on the back of the tales they have told.
I read one blokes comments about drugs being the only way out of the army, B******S there is another way out, keep your head down and do your time, then once it`s done come out and hold your head up high.
Sorry but no sympathy from me! Please discuss ;-)

[Ianto 10]

I agree with all the comments made above, apart from blame the goverment syndrome! what's the goverment got to do with it? these lads have taken class A drugs which is against the law, there is no excuse for it, there should definitely be no sympathy for their irresponsible actions, Get Rid soonest, goodbye!

[Gwyn Nicholas]

If our troops are overstretched, if they are poorly equipped, if the army is 2000 men understrength, if accomodation is substandard for single and married men, if operational tours of duty a coming around faster than they ever were and if morale is low within the forces, and if military hospitals are wanted but are being denied, I would say that those are problems that the Government should be dealing with! This is not a "blame the Government syndrome" this is stating a fact. If things do not improve within the Armed forces more of these problems will arise. I can remember hearing of soldiers pretending to be Gay to get out of the Army. That of course no longer works so, the Ante has been put up. Of course I do not have any sympathy for the individuals who took part, and I dont condone what they did. What I am saying is, throwing out (as they will) these soldiers will remove the bad apples for now, but the underlining problems may still remain unless the points I mentioned are addressed and are being seen as being addressed by the people who are afterall servants to the public not the other way around. That is only my humble opinion of course.

[jcj]

As recruiting Officer for SE Wales I get to see and talk to a lot of satisfied soldiers attached to us for 1-2 weeks. I spoke with two 1st Bn young fusiliers (12 Pl D Coy) attached to the Pontypridd office today.Both lads have been in for less than three years and already both have done tours in IRAQ and Afghanistan and are justifiably proud of the Bn and what they have achieved.I asked them what they thought of the latest drugs saga effecting the Regt they said they thought the soldiers involved were stupid as the rules are well known and with the currant job situation likely to get much worse they may well live to regret their actions.From my own perspective I fail to see how you can blame the MOD or government for their actions I also dont believe they were all looking at using this to gain release from the Army they were plainly stupid and believed like many that they would not get caught.This is not a dig at the 1st Bn, soldiers from the 2nd Bn were caught out in Ballykelly and London a few years back.

[Gwyn Nicholas]

Once again (and for the final time, I promise). I do not blame the MOD or anyone else for the actions of these soldiers! They are big enough and ugly enough to make their own decisions. I am merely pointing out that there are many problems that need addressing within our forces. I dont think that the "stick" is enough. As for asking two young soldiers with three years service how they feel, I would imagine at that stage they must be revelling in what they are doing. Go back and ask a couple of pads with 6,7,9 years service and see if you get the same adrenalin filled replies. I also speak to soldiers from time to time ( and not as a recruiting officer) and the views (which differ) are not nearly as positive as the response you recieved.

[jcj]

Once again (and for the final time, I promise). I do not blame the MOD or anyone else for the actions of these soldiers! They are big enough and ugly enough to make their own decisions. I am merely pointing out that there are many problems that need addressing within our forces. I dont think that the "stick" is enough. As for asking two young soldiers with three years service how they feel, I would imagine at that stage they must be revelling in what they are doing. Go back and ask a couple of pads with 6,7,9 years service and see if you get the same adrenalin filled replies. I also speak to soldiers from time to time ( and not as a recruiting officer) and the views (which differ) are not nearly as positive as the response you recieved.

I also promise this is my last submission on this subject.Gwyn is probably correct in that soldiers/NCO who have faced back to back tours will have a different outlook to single soldiers who may find the current OPS very exciting etc.However if it is true that some older NCOs and Soldiers would wish to leave surely it is better to sign off try to complete your last 12 months and leave with honour rather than be kicked out for disciplinary/drug reasons. There is also the financial loss pension etc to be taken into account. With regard to job seekers, many potential employers do ask for written references I get several such requests every month.