I'd be interested in hearing from any current or retired military personnel, specifically British but all are welcome to answer. I have applied to join the Grenadier Guards as an Officer after I graduate (summer 07)- but some of my friends already in the Army (they are all NCOs in the Royal Signals) have told me that the Guards are just pompous and are in existence purely for the ceremony.
Also they have told me that, whilst having a state school education is no hinderance in becoming an Army Officer, I'd be ripped apart in the Guards for not being of the right 'breed'.
Is there any truth to this or are my friends pulling my leg?
Thanks
2007-03-11 05:56:14 · 10 answers · asked by Horatio 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Personally I realise the Guards have a long and distinguished combat history and hope that my question is in no way disrespectful; I am only passing on what I have been told for judgement.
2007-03-11 05:57:12 · update #1
Horatio,
PLEASE stop listening to your mates!!
The Guards are some of the hardest worked of all the Army forces, they did more tours of NI then anyone else, they train VERY hard, they have seen combat in all the worst places you can imagine and come off better than you'd think!
At this time, The Guards are deployed all over the world in some very dangerous area's, they are some of the most professional soldiers in the world, as well as some of the most elite!!
If you intend to join the Army, you couldn't make a better choice (You will be with the best!)
Also, you will find that they will not care a jot about your education, its a lot more to do with ability, not family or social standing..
2007-03-11 09:43:15 · answer #1 · answered by John W 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Guards was traditionaly a place for the rich upper classes to become officers and make names for themselves, but this is a very long time ago.
Which ever Guards Regiment you join you will still be part of the oldest division in the British Army with a multitude of battle honours.
During the Falklands War of 1982, 2 Regiments of the Guards division (Welsh and Scots) were sent with the task force to liberate the Islands. The Welsh were hit hard when the Sir Galahd was hit by bombs killing 52 on board, most of whom were Welsh Guards. However, they were still used for the duration of the War.
The Scots Guards fought an extremly hard battle on Mount Tumbledown against the cream of the Argentine forces. Much of it was close quarter fighting resulting in many awards for courage under fire including that of Sgt R Jackson MM and Lt R Lawrence MC (the movie Tumbledown was based on Lawrences's experiences).
2007-03-12 11:41:02 · answer #2 · answered by hottotrot 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Grandfather was in the Coldstream guards for three years and I can ssure your friends in the signals the guards regiments are not just about ceremony. Sure, if you ask people who they would expect to see guarding the palace they will say the guards, however I have worked with three ex Coldstream guards. Two spent most of their service in Northern Ireland, and the third was in Cyprus for most of his service. Also my Grandfather spent a year in Palestine and a year in Afghanistan (this was in the 1930's). Also consider that various guards regiments have seen action variously in the Falklands, Northern Ireland, Former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan and Iraq. Tell that to your friends in the Royal Signals who will probably spend their service answering the telephone and taking messages while you are in action
Good luck with your career, but think about the Coldstream Guards instead, theyre better than the Grenadiers!!!
2007-03-11 07:21:13 · answer #3 · answered by vdv_desantnik 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, The Guards do a lot of ceremonial duty. But they also have battle honours going back a long way, and believe me, when "Push Comes to Shove" They are amongst the best, as are all British Army Regiments.
Try Guards Para if you want a bit more on the "Edge"
2007-03-11 07:31:41 · answer #4 · answered by Cyrano de Bergerac 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, your skaleyback friends must know so much. (cue sarcasm). Every person in the British Army is a soldier first and a tradesmen second. You join whatever you want to join, everyone will have their own opinions. Dont listen to other peoples speculations and opinions, they arent the ones going into that chosen career. Do what YOU want to do, dont listen to anybody else. If you decide that its not the right career for you, you could always leave or transfer. I have included a link to a history of the guards, read it and next time your mates have something to say, you can tell them they are full of *****
2007-03-11 08:00:19 · answer #5 · answered by joiyuk 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Speaking as an ex guardsmen you have the best t everything drill for ceremonial duties and combat ops.really better then the rest of the British army cause you have be 110 fit even if you've been on ceremonial duties.i wish you all the best in your application but please don't let my regiment down sir you have to be the best of the best.
2015-05-15 10:20:07 · answer #6 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anyone who says that the guards are just ceremonial are idiots.The Falklands where an example of how they are always in the thick of it and there reputation in modern combat and their outstanding history make them second to none.
2007-03-11 06:08:08 · answer #7 · answered by frankturk50 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
on the officer aspect - very a lot so - you want to be ok linked. It also helps if you're independently prosperous. at the different ranks end they are not more durable to get into than the different infantry regiment.
2016-12-01 20:15:10 · answer #8 · answered by philipp 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
guards and regiments such as my fellow Irishmen in the UK army are for ceremonial use AND for combat
2007-03-11 06:01:42 · answer #9 · answered by Departed 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All I know is they are the smartest of all on the parade ground
2007-03-11 06:50:53 · answer #10 · answered by cassidy 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋