Irish joining the British Army, wtf?

senordingdong · 28-11-2008 10:47AM

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

Lets face it the only thing the Irish army does is guard the bank's vans, follow the president around playing the national anthem and get drunk on cheap pints in the barracks.

35,000 Irish men dies in the first world war for instance fighting in the british army. At least they pick real wars.

Yeah sure, nevermind all that peace keeping work they do.
It's not like they sent a huge force to Chad a few monhs ago or anything.

Can't you see, it's not me, it's not 19-16,
in your head, in your head.....

mountainyman · 28-11-2008 10:48AM

luckat wrote: »

I'd find it equally strange if they were suddenly rushing to join the French or German army.

Are there no better jobs than soldiering to be had? Never mind soldiering for the British.

Thank God a few of thema re getting killed anyway. I am all for Irish people joining the British army

1 Only treasonous scum would do it
2 The Brits will find them a nice grave to lie in hopefully weeding the genes for treason out of the Irish population.

28-11-2008 10:48AM

andrewh5 wrote: »

Exactly the same as any other army. They were in Gulf War 1. They have always been in Chad. etc, etc. Google them FFS!

Ah.

I always thought it's where people went to just get away from their problems. Sorta like Rehab. But with more sand.

pwd · 28-11-2008 10:49AM

I think the French Foreign Legion does the worst bits of French military operations, so that French people don't have to.

Irish people join the British military because it offers good career opportunities. Some probably join for idealogical reasons too. There are a lot of Irish people of English descent.

I wonder if any of them get posted in Northern Ireland. And I wonder how Irish-friendly the culture of the British armed forces would be.

luckat · 28-11-2008 10:53AM

Mairt wrote: »

You see, this is something a civilian can't understand.

No one person I know had joined the military for 'a job', they joined because inside there was a calling to arms for them. They wanted to be soldiers, they didn't want the cushy civilian life - the 'nine to five'.

The Defence Forces recruitment slogan 'A life less ordinary' is brilliant, because thats exactly what soldiering is.

Maybe. But I used to meet an awful lot of ex-soldiers when giving soup to the homeless guys living on the streets.

arybvtcw0eolkf · 28-11-2008 10:56AM

The French Foreign Legion isn't all glamour.

I've served along side them three times, and they were only providing camp security & logistical duties like kitchen and mess (canteen) staff.

But I've no doubt their a tough military force.

Nodin · 28-11-2008 10:58AM

luckat wrote: »

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7749793.stm

The British military is experiencing a large rise in recruits from the Irish Republic, figures obtained by BBC Radio 4's PM programme have shown.

They reveal a four-fold increase in military personnel from the Irish Republic during the past three years.

Between 2005 and 2006, just 3% of recruits entering the military through its recruitment centres in Northern Ireland came from the Republic.

The figure so far this year is 14%, and officers believe it will rise further.

<snip>

WTF???

Bugger all new there......

James Connolly, 1898 wrote:

We gather from the American newspapers that our countrymen in the United States army and navy have been highly distinguishing themselves in the cause of the war with Spain.
This is as it should be and in consonance with all our Irish traditions. We are a fighting race, we are told, and every Irishman is always proud to hear our politicians and journalists tell of our exploits in the fighting line – in other countries, in other climes and in other times.
Yes, we are a fighting race. Whether it is under the Stars and Stripes or under the Union Jack; planting the flag of America over the walls of Santiago or helping our own oppressors to extend their hated rule over other unfortunate nations our brave Irish boys are ever to the front.

http://eprints.cddc.vt.edu/marxists//archive/connolly/1898/08/fightgrc.htm

Dudess · 28-11-2008 10:59AM

Irlbo wrote: »

In my opinion,anyone that does,is a traitor and should be shot for treachery,call me backwards or living in the past or whatever,but I dont care,I still remember the brutality of the Bristish army against our fellow Irishmen and women up North

jhegarty wrote: »

Go on home British Soldiers Go on home
Have you got no ****ing homes of your own
For 800 years we've fought you without fear
And we will fight you for 800 more

If you stay British Soldiers If you stay
You'll never ever beat the IRA
For the 14 men in Derry
Are the last that you will bury
So take a tip And leave us bloody be

So Go on home British Soldiers Go on home
Have you got no ****ing homes of your own
For 800 years we've fought you without fear
And we will fight you for 800 more

We're not British, we're not Saxon we're not English
We're Irish and proud we are to be
So **** your Union Jack We want our country back
We want to see old Ireland free once more

So Go on home British Soldiers Go on home
Have you got no ****ing homes of your own
For 800 years we've fought you without fear
And we will fight you for 800 more

We'll fight them British Soldiers for the cause
We'll never bow to Soldiers because
Troughout our history We were born to be free
So get out British bastards leave us be

So Go on home British Soldiers Go on home
Have you got no ****ing homes of your own
For 800 years we've fought you without fear
And we will fight you for 800 more

Go on home British Soldiers Go on home
Have you got no ****ing homes of your own
For 800 years we've fought you without fear
And we will fight you for 800 more
Yes, we will fight you for 800 more!

Sigh... when it comes to the North, I'm a nationalist, perhaps a moderate republican... then I realise I'm in the same company as ^^^

Makes me sad....

arybvtcw0eolkf · 28-11-2008 10:59AM

luckat wrote: »

Maybe. But I used to meet an awful lot of ex-soldiers when giving soup to the homeless guys living on the streets.

Yes, thats true. We let a huge amount slip through the net, one of my best friends died homeless on the streets (I have a photo of him and me in Lebanon on boards.ie somewhere, I can post again if you'd wish - you might know him, he froze to death in Dublin).

Now we've got organisations like the Organisation for National Ex-service men and woman (ONE) and the UN vets organisation, both of who try to look out for ex-service personnel who fall on hard times.

Fratton Fred · 28-11-2008 11:02AM

pwd wrote: »

I think the French Foreign Legion does the worst bits of French military operations, so that French people don't have to.

Irish people join the British military because it offers good career opportunities. Some probably join for idealogical reasons too. There are a lot of Irish people of English descent.

I wonder if any of them get posted in Northern Ireland. And I wonder how Irish-friendly the culture of the British armed forces would be.

The French Foreign Legion fight on behalf of the French. God forbid they would actually stand up and fight anybody.

I believe Irish nationals joining the British Army had/have the option of not going to Northern Ireland if they don't want to.

The last Irish guy killed in Afghanistan was apparantly an exceptional soldier who was selected to apply for the SAS.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/tributes-to-irish-marine-killed-in-afghanistan-14064531.html

luckat · 28-11-2008 11:04AM

Mairt - what would be good would be what the French police do. They have a very early retirement age, and in the last few years of service, they train people in the trade of their choice, and give them time off to work in that trade.

Then when they retire they have a pension, and also a trade - an awful lot of plumbers and electricians and carpenters and plasterers and builders in France are ex-gendarmes.

Can't see why the Irish Army and the Gardai couldn't do the same. It results in well-qualified artisans and a good landing for people who've served their country.

Maybe you'd suggest it to the ex-service assoc?

loz · 28-11-2008 11:04AM

jhegarty wrote: »

So **** your Union Jack

Is the Union Flag unless flown on a ship you thick mick

vibes23 · 28-11-2008 11:08AM

mountainyman wrote: »

Thank God a few of thema re getting killed anyway. I am all for Irish people joining the British army

1 Only treasonous scum would do it
2 The Brits will find them a nice grave to lie in hopefully weeding the genes for treason out of the Irish population.

Probably the best statement on this tread so far......

I am of the opinon that it is wrong for an irish man to join any foregin army and yes specially the brits, Why ? The troubles !

I know a few dopes will come on saying IRA did this IRA did that, we were at war. People from both sides were effected, thats what happens in a war.

I have a feeling alot of the responces we have seen "livin in the past..." etc are coming from a majority who dont know what there talking about. Also if they new in detail what the british army got up to in the north (Its not that long ago!) you wouldnt be so quick to sign up.

Just my opinon.

arybvtcw0eolkf · 28-11-2008 11:09AM

luckat wrote: »

Mairt - what would be good would be what the French police do. They have a very early retirement age, and in the last few years of service, they train people in the trade of their choice, and give them time off to work in that trade.

Then when they retire they have a pension, and also a trade - an awful lot of plumbers and electricians and carpenters and plasterers and builders in France are ex-gendarmes.

Can't see why the Irish Army and the Gardai couldn't do the same. It results in well-qualified artisans and a good landing for people who've served their country.

Maybe you'd suggest it to the ex-service assoc?

Thanks, some of us are blue in the face asking for this to be implimented.

The British army do the same, the retrain their soldiers to better enter civilian life.. I mean, who the fvck in civie street is looking for a qualified 120mm mortar gunner, or someone who topped their 'Battle sgts course!.

Nodin · 28-11-2008 11:10AM

loz wrote: »

Is the Union Flag unless flown on a ship you thick mick

....Don't you mean "Butchers Apron"?

jhegarty · 28-11-2008 11:11AM

loz wrote: »

Is the Union Flag unless flown on a ship you thick mick

I didn't write the song

arybvtcw0eolkf · 28-11-2008 11:12AM

loz wrote: »

Is the Union Flag unless flown on a ship you thick mick

I know you probably said it tongue in cheek, but "Thick Mick" really fvcking riles me and no doubt others too.

4zn76tysfajdxp · 28-11-2008 11:13AM

vibes23 wrote: »

Probably the best statement on this tread so far......

I am of the opinon that it is wrong for an irish man to join any foregin army and yes specially the brits, Why ? The troubles !

Why, did something happen?

Caoimhín · 28-11-2008 11:15AM

Some say the divils dead, the divils dead, the divils dead.

28-11-2008 11:17AM

Caoimhín wrote: »

Some say the divils dead, the divils dead, the divils dead.

Well according to Gareth37 he's very much alive ...

arybvtcw0eolkf · 28-11-2008 11:19AM

Ah fvck it, run it up the pole there me boyo's..

helimachoptor · 28-11-2008 11:19AM

luckat wrote: »

Mairt - what would be good would be what the French police do. They have a very early retirement age, and in the last few years of service, they train people in the trade of their choice, and give them time off to work in that trade.

Then when they retire they have a pension, and also a trade - an awful lot of plumbers and electricians and carpenters and plasterers and builders in France are ex-gendarmes.

Can't see why the Irish Army and the Gardai couldn't do the same. It results in well-qualified artisans and a good landing for people who've served their country.

Maybe you'd suggest it to the ex-service assoc?

That is a really really good idea

loz · 28-11-2008 11:20AM

Mairt wrote: »

I know you probably said it tongue in cheek, but "Thick Mick" really fvcking riles me and no doubt others too.

Maybe its my British re-action to the racist song ?

vibes23 · 28-11-2008 11:21AM

Brynlee Huge Riffraff wrote: »

Why, did something happen?

Arse hole ......

arybvtcw0eolkf · 28-11-2008 11:22AM

loz wrote: »

Maybe its my British re-action to the racist song ?

Telling the british army to fvck off home is racist?.

mike65 · 28-11-2008 11:24AM

The Irish have been fighting in other peoples wars for 300 years. Often against each other (Spanish and US civil wars being cases in point) at least in a professional Army they get some skills and if the army life is for you would you sooner be on active duty around the world or guarding AIB money in a Dublin suburb?

Mairt you're a big mna behind the keyboard there.

Mike

28-11-2008 11:25AM

vibes23 wrote: »

Arse hole ......

Personal abuse will only get you banned.

r3nu4l · 28-11-2008 11:25AM

seamus wrote: »

Why are you WTF out of you? The UK has a large, well-funded, well-equipped army.

Many British soldiers themselves would argue this point. The SA-80 standard issue assault rifle is pretty pants (in comparison to the Irish army standard issue Steyer) and has had tonnes of problems in the past. Also, some soldiers in Iraq have had to go out on patrol without proper protective gear, very comforting for their relatives to know.

Irlbo wrote: »

In my opinion,anyone that does,is a traitor and should be shot for treachery,call me backwards or living in the past or whatever,but I dont care,I still remember the brutality of the Bristish army against our fellow Irishmen and women up North

I'm a nationalist but ffs, those days are gone. Yes the British Army did some terrible things but you should read some accounts from soldiers who served up north. Michael Asher gives a great account of his time in the Paras (although there are flaws, he insists there was no SAS in NI, the British Government have admitted there was) where he tells how Paras are bred for aggression and battle and that in NI they were like caged animals. He openly states that they were the wrong type of troop for NI and it's clear that the mental strain these guys were under would dehumanise most people.

biko wrote: »

It probably beats living in some flats in Ballymun on the dole.

Or Galway 'city' :eek:

:pac:

Deleted User wrote: »

What exactly does the French Foreign Legion do?

This
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pwd wrote: »

I think the French Foreign Legion does the worst bits of French military operations.

They also teach you how to become fluent in French and offer you French citizenship upon leaving the Legion (providing you have completed at least one contract).

Mairt wrote: »

The French Foreign Legion isn't all glamour.

True, pretty much like most soldiering, on occasion when there is 'glamour', most of l'étrangèr would not consider it glamorous.

Mairt wrote: »

Now we've got organisations like the Organisation for National Ex-service men and woman (ONE) and the UN vets organisation, both of who try to look out for ex-service personnel who fall on hard times.

Meh, the British Army have had the Royal British Legion, amongst others, for years and yet the highest proportion of homeless people in the UK are ex-squaddies who couldn't cope with civilian life or suffered PTSD and didn't get treated. :mad: "Fight for Queen and Country and we'll find a cardboard box for you and a space under Charing Cross bridge when you're demobbed" :rolleyes:

jhegarty · 28-11-2008 11:27AM

loz wrote: »

Maybe its my British re-action to the racist song ?

So I am racist to not want foreign troops on Irish soil ?

Fratton Fred · 28-11-2008 11:28AM

Mairt wrote: »

Ah fvck it, run it up the pole there me boyo's..

people only make videos like this because they have small willies.

Irish joining the British Army, wtf?

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