In Training

Oldie but a goodie in Afghanistan

This guy is somethin' else entirely!

Royal Navy reservist Lt Cdr Bill O'Brien, 54, volunteered for the tour with 633 Squadron Army Air Corps. He is flying an Apache helicopter.

The married father of three joined the Royal Marines in 1971 and retired from active service in 2005.

"I believe I have a contribution to make," he said. "There is still some life in the old dog yet."

Although there are some 600 reservists from all three services in Afghanistan, Lt Cdr O'Brien is the only one piloting a helicopter.
....
He arrived in Afghanistan in early September and has already flown more than 30 missions. On a busy day, he comes on duty at 0300 and does not finish until 2100. The work is split between providing an armed escort for lesser-armed helicopters and to provide armed support for friendly ground forces.
....
Squadron Commander Major Jason Etherington said Lt Cdr O'Brien was a "hugely popular individual" who had "assisted in the training of almost every pilot within the squadron".

"Although Bill joined the Royal Marines a year after I was born he still has the enthusiasm and dedication to match the younger members deployed to Afghanistan," he added.

Just wow. Good on ya.

Via Ace headlines.

Track! Track!

Royal and I went to Tucson to visit our grandparents over Labor Day.  For those that may not know, Arizona has this incredible time of year called the monsoon season!  Seriously amazing.  Just thinking about it gives me chills!  Everyone should, at least once in their lifetime, experience the sounds and the smell of the rain hitting the desert.

But, back to the story.  It's the evening and we're on a plane coming up to Tucson when our pilot pipes up and says the storm is covering the airport and we can't land.  He said we'd fly around for a bit but if it didn't move quickly we'd have to fly to Phoenix (boo, hiss).  Phoenix is at least a two hour drive from Tucson - AND it's home to Arizona State University (boo, hiss!).  I'll not even dignify them with a link. 
Not our idea of a good time.

Plane shot - not quite over Tucson, it was too dark by then.

So I'm getting all nervous about my mid-eighty year old grandparents trying to drive up to Phoenix late at night in a monsoon when my husband says,

"We should land anyway."

"Um, babe, don't you see that lightning?  No way."

"Planes are made to withstand lightning. Lightning be damned."

"Some strikes, not all! I have a friend that was on a flight that was struck!  They had to land immediately!"

"They landed, didn't they?  We'll be fine."  Big smile on his face. 

"No we won't, I -- I can't even believe we are having this conversation."

He goes on:

"We need to put the nose down and go, just go straight in and land."

"Ha.  What about the other planes?"

"Track!  Traaaacckk!"

"..... ?"

"From Norway, training with the Marines.  If you're skiing and you lose control you yell TRACK! people know to get out of the way or be smashed.  All I'm saying is that we track on the way down."

"So, the pilot just needs to get on the radio and track!  Traaaacckk! and --"

"-- all the other planes will leave us be.  Precisely."

I don't know if the funny translates in my telling, but it was hilarious and still makes me smile when I think of it.  My husband has a talent for saying these kinds of things so straight-faced and sincerely - just like when he tells me he's invincible. 

Oh, luckily only a few minutes after our exchange the pilot made it known that we would be landing in 15 minutes...

thank God!

Harry Von Turbo Pussers

There's a group on Facebook that asks Are You Harry-Von Turbo Pussers?  Pussers is another term for Royal Marine/Royal Marine stuff (such as pussers kit).  The group contains the following list (which I've posted without editing):

You Know You Are Too Pussers When...

• You still tell your parents/wife/girlfriend/cousin/civvie mates etc to ‘get the wets on’

• You have 'life on the Ocean Wave' as your mobile ring tone
• You have the globe and laurel as your screensaver
• It annoyed you that I didn’t use a capital ‘G’ and ‘L’ in the previous line
• You have a year round tan that runs from your hands to mid-arm and makes a nice ‘v’ on your chest
• You can use the creases on your T-shirt to shave with
• You A4 your civvies clothes. Ever. Even as a joke
• You have more than one pussers tattoo
• You hate seeing students wearing DPM jackets about town and say its because it’s split rig
• But really its because they have a button missing/the hood rolled down
• In work your even your bessie oppo won’t leave his rifle loafing with you because he knows you’ll pick him up for some dirt on it (when you strip it down behind his back)
• People actually suggest you should be a PW2/DL2 or on a training team
• You think that’s a good idea
• You still think Silver Shadows are the best trainer ever
• You go for a drink with your civvie mates and proceed to explain and demonstrate to them the subtleties of CQB (tap, tap, weapon sweep, eye thump, tango down, marking, standing...)
• Then you make them practise it
• You’re idea of a serious relationship involves an Arbers/Taunton/Plymouth chick
• You know the best runs ashore in at least 5 of the following, Exemouth, Taunton, Plymouth, Arbroath, Helensburgh, Barnstable, Watford, Oakhampton, Dubai
• You continually use phrases like “pound to a piece of shit”
• When faced with poor reception on your mobile phone or incoherent talkers you say “say again, over”
• Then finish your phone call with “roger, out”
• You own at least 4 books about the Royal Marines (SAS/Andy McChad books don’t count)
• When you came on Facebook you searched for every Royal Marine group/profile
• And joined most of them
• You would stop having sex if Cockleshell heros came on TV halfway through
• During sex, you mentally name all the parts to a GPMG from the Muzzle flash eliminator all the way back to the Rear sling loop to stop yourself coming too quick
• This actually has the opposite effect
• You know what film the quote “fuck off you spic bastards” is from
• At any EVERY family occasion (wedding birthday christening etc) you end up getting drunk because one relative knows about the TTQ (to the Queen) rule and knows you will uphold it
• After you get drunk you then proceed to announce to all your relatives that you ‘are turbo shiters’
• Then call a naked bar
• And actually do it
- Hate Pongos, Matelots, Crabs, Rubbers, STABS, cadets, students, civvies and generally anyone who isnt a bootneck or a female.

Not surprisingly, Royal is harry von turbo pussers.  Gotta love it!

By the way, my favorite 'harry von' is harry von red pigs!  I get to use it a lot in Texas...

Also, if you have any questions about what the heck any of the above means - leave it in the comments!

Bournemouth Air Festival

The super cool event Royal and I thought was in July -- when we were in the area -- but isn't.  It's this week!  Darn it.  We were going to go anyway (Red Arrows, baby, Red Arrows), but then today I saw THIS and now I'm even more jealous that we are missing it!  Sigh.  Just read the whole thing and go to the festival if you can.

For me. 

Think Before You Speak - Day 2

Day 1 Here.

Believe it or not, what you are about to read happened the day after... Day 1.  Hence, you know, Day 2.  Plus, it contains the same cast of characters:

Royal, Ron & Arnold.

I didn't give a description of Arnold last time.  He's in his thirties, high up in the company, married with a child. 

I don't know what started the conversation, but apparently Ron was saying how cool it would be to be in the F.B.I.  (Yeah I know, same kid who didn't want to be in the military because he might see combat). 

Arnold asked, "Why?! Why would you want to do that?"

Ron replied, "Well, a sense of satisfaction. Investigating would be cool, helping the country... you know, stuff like that."

Arnold said, "But there are other people to do that."

Wow. 

A lot because of the events the previous day, Royal blew up.  He told his higher up that that was a coward's answer.  That Arnold wouldn't put himself on the line and that's as cowardly as it gets.  Arnold shouldn't be expecting others to protect himself and his family.  That was a coward's answer.

Royal told me that Arnold looked a little surprised and genuinely didn't seem to understand why Royal was so harsh. 

Sometimes things just happen one after another, I guess. 

Homecoming parade for Royal Marines

is protested by anti-war creeps. 

3 Commando lost 33 men during their six months in Afghanistan.  The article states that one in five of the total soldiers killed in action in Afghanistan since '01 were from 3 Commando.  They fought, and they fought hard.

My family is proud of you guys!  So glad you're back.

Think Before You Speak - Day 1

Royal's had a tough week.  Not only did he work in the 100 degree heat as is normal (don't get me started on the humidity!) but he was unfortunately part of a hurtful conversation with a co-worker.  You'll see what I mean...

I'll introduce the characters:

Royal: My husband, recently left the Royal Marines.  His job in the Marines?  Royal Marine Commando Sniper.  He asked to be sent to Iraq straight out of training and it was a yes.  He served in Iraq and other places I have not yet divulged to my readers.  Royal's time in Iraq was fairly quiet - by fairly I mean they were mortared and rocketed.  Royal spent most of his time on patrol and has many a terrifying story.  Thanks be to God he and his buddies never found themselves on the business end of an IED and never had to experience hand to hand combat. 

In his almost 5 years of military service my husband was not sent to Afghanistan.  He volunteered three times and each time was told he was not needed there (for whatever reason).  If I had to pick something that I believe Royal would change, it would be a trip to Afghanistan with the Royal Marines.

My husband is not a big talker.  He rarely opens up about the serious stuff he dealt with while in the Marines.  It's a common thing for military men and women, they'll tell you funny stories until the cows come home... but not a lot else. 

Ron: Just graduated high school and will be attending university this fall.  He is Royal's main co-worker for the summer. 

Larry:  Another co-worker.  Recently left the U.S. Army as a Sergeant.  Served in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

_________________________________________________

On this day, Ron was speaking with another worker (Arnold) about their upcoming church camp, with one telling the other how much fun it's going to be. 

Royal told his young worker Ron that if he wanted to have some real fun -- join the Marines!

Ron replied with...

How We Spent Memorial Day

Royal picked up a bottle of Warrior port some time ago.  He wanted to save it for a special occasion. 

Port is the drink that Royal Marine Commandos use to mark the corps birthday, October 28th.  Because of that, it's also the drink used to mark any extra special occasion for a Royal Marine.  Any port will do, but my Royal especially loved the name - Warrior.  It's what he is. 

Sitting around our dining room table on Memorial Day 2009 we drank a toast to both of our armed forces,
to a friend who just made it home safe from Afghanistan,
and to those we've lost.

RIP Elmsy. 

Every day be thankful for our Warriors. 

The Royal Marines YouTube Channel

Yup, you read that right.  The Royal Marines have their very own channel on YouTube. 

The new channel is targeted at potential Royal Marines recruits – young men with an interest in serving with the armed forces and who want to learn more about life in the Royal Marines.

.... features four sections – RMC Training, Extreme VS Marines, State of Mind, and Ambush and Assault. Each section showcases a host of rich video content, bringing to life the Royal Marines' state of mind – the ethos which sets the Royal Navy's amphibious forces apart from any other armed forces.

The videos will be reviewed monthly, with fresh new content and training videos added on a regular basis. An additional section featuring exclusive interviews with serving Royal Marines will be added to the channel in May.

I've watched several so far (like this one, a mud run!  Royal only had to go through this once during training.  It's super tough). There is some really interesting stuff, take a look when you get some time!

Female Soldier Served With Royal Marines

Her name is Amy Thomas and she served with the Royal Marine Commandos in the Helmand Province during her tour in Afghanistan.  She was with the Marines to gather evidence of terrorism and to deal with female suspects.   While serving with them, she even engaged in a firefight:

She said: 'As soon as we left the helicopters the company came under fire and then it was non-stop.'There were loads of Taliban in the area. I identified one of them running with a weapon and indicated him to the lads. 'They didn’t see him so I took the shot. I don’t know whether I hit or killed him. It was the only time I opened fire on the Taliban.'
....
But when the Taliban struck, her training kicked in. She told the Sun: 'I just got on with it because you have to.'

Amy, from Port Talbot, South Wales, completed a six-month tour of Afghanistan on Saturday and was the only woman to have fought alongside the Marines. It is unprecedented for women to be in combat as they are not permitted to join either Marines or infantry regiments.

'At first I thought I wouldn’t be able to because I’m quite a girlie girl but once I was out, the training kicked in. 'The Marines did not treat me any differently as a girl and I felt like one of the lads when I was out with them.'

Good on the Commandos for treating the lady right!  It doesn't surprise me, though, as I know my husband would have been very supportive and respectful.  They are awesome guys!

On another note, the title of the Daily Mail article linked above is ridiculous. Female Soldier Becomes First British Women to Fire in Anger at the Taliban. Amy Thomas did not fire in ANGER, she fired because the Taliban were trying to kill her and her guys.  Come on people.

-- UPDATE -- 5/11/09 --

So, my last paragraph is a bit... yeah it's all wrong!  Yikes.  I thought the title meant in anger, as in... in anger.  But, as James from the comments points out it actually means in combat.  His quote:  "It means on operations rather than exercise. You would be more likely to describe a gun or ship's guns though eg. "The first time that HMS Nonesuch fired it's guns in anger." 
I should have asked Royal first because even he knew it wasn't what I thought it meant. 
Thanks James!