Opinions on your overseas experiences

Praetorian Saighdiuir

Just wondering what people think of their overseas experiences, good and bad points, and also the bigger picture.

Do you think that the DF role in overseas service can needs to be improved?

Are we a "laughing stock" to other nationalities overseas? -(i dont think so)

Do we do enough? Do you feel you have helped the people you were there to help?

Craigsy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YM1Vbs5L0t4

The swedes seem happy enough. at around 1:42

Praetorian Saighdiuir

Craigsy wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YM1Vbs5L0t4

The swedes seem happy enough. at around 1:42

true,

personally, I have never heard a bad word said about us or our professionalism, and ability to do any job.

Craigsy

benwavner wrote: »

personally, I have never heard a bad word said about us or our professionalism, and ability to do any job.

Yeah I've s few mates who have served and they say the same thing. Just a pity you's don't have that many oppourtunities to show it to others

Fishtits

My first experience overseas, in hindsight, was horrific. I was ill prepared, poorly trained, poorly equipped and left to deal with it. At the time I just didn't have a clue.

Since then, as a civvy, and with experience, a much wiser individual, I've met and worked with many DF personnel serving on missions, some in senior roles, all had the utmost respect of their peers and carried out their tasks in an exemplary manner. There is one Cork based ex Colonel in particular that stands out in my memory... but I won't name you Mossy... enjoy your retirement. PS the Rustlers got Bob, he passed away two years ago.

In short, the DF do a good job overseas and we should be proud of them.

Lets give up this patting ourselves on the back and get on with the job...

rednik

I was 19 when I went to Lebanon in 83. The trip was absolutely brilliant. I went as part of a section from my own Coy at home. My Coy Comdr at home was also my CO overseas. Most of the platoon NCOs were also from my Coy. I didn't speak to anybody at home for four months and that was on leave in Israel. During the trip the USMC barracks in Beirut was bombed and a lot of marines died in that attack. My older brother rang army HQ to make sure I was alright.:). The French were attacked and lost a lot of legionaires but he didn't ring again. (thank God).

Served in Iraq in 89 and have to say the Irish Officers ran the show. We may not like them all but overseas normally seperates the men from the boys and I saw at first hand the true professionalism of the Irish Officer among probably 20 different nations. It was a great trip as most of thoses serving at the time would know it was worth a hell of a lot of money at the time. I spent the first half of the trip in Basra and the heat was crazy. Approaching August it could reach 50 degrees. Thats why I have a lot of admiration for the Brits operating in the area. Driving in the country was probably the most dangerous part of the trip even in Baghdad and we think we are bad here. Should send a few of the experts off the motors forum to see what the Iraqi standard of driving is.

NoQuarter

Was in kosovo a year after the vid above and the training and equipment was pretty good i must say.

The more laid back attitude of the NCO's was very welcome and i think all the lads operated better because of it...pity it wasnt the same every day back here!

So i think we do a good job!

Hard Larry

I'm in that video. A 3 minute news reel doesn't do us justice, even if it does paint us in a good light.

Craigsy

Hard Larry wrote: »

I'm in that video. A 3 minute news reel doesn't do us justice, even if it does paint us in a good light.

I don't think any vid could do justice to the job you guys do