Introductions

Welcome to the forums @TAB nice to meet you.

your experience at recruit course / IET sounds like mine - I remember getting in trouble because I had clear plastic keepers in my nose and upper ear piercings, I never managed to get my bed made properly and to this day, I can’t iron for quids hahahaha

oh I couldnt do anything right @Magpie22 scraped through as said. was shocked when saw full metal jacket. reminded me of me except wasnt overweight then, just bit weak and un-co

oh plus crap at drill and most other things lol. Section commanders def knew who I was lol. after basic ironing became optional, even others at same level would have a go at me.I would iron like once til clothes dirty,iron was pretty basic,never used starch. going to buy my own uniform replacement seemed wrong, but had to sometimes,was a stuff around, had to get request forms, store was only open couple hours a week, etc etc

@TAB I was posted to a unit where we wore polys from Mon-Thursday. I used to drop my shirts at the dry cleaner for laundry and iron and then pick them up Monday morning. So much easier and was worth it for not having to worry about it

it’s remarkable really that I stuck with it as long as I did. I reckon I was just stubborn - didn’t want the doubters to be proven right

.. yes prob did that very occasionally like for parades or when got seconded to static unit for a few weeks once re polys.

I had stage of few months somewhere in last 2 years where did PT, got fit, maybe ironed greens, got put in charge of a shift on couple exercises. then slacked off again. last 12 mths was looking forward to leaving, saved heaps by not having a car and going out once a week if that, not more like some people and walking to work from lines. @Magpie22 only recently started to think missed out on friends for 3 years after left home and party time lol

I wanted to get away from school, ands home, had no clue re employment options,was a recession etc. found out later could have got a job in public service just by filling out a questionnaire. i eventually did that 2 years after I got out.

@ENKELI

we would all love it if you would get involved here. It’s a little quiet at the moment but we are all hoping it will pick up. I am not sure if this space has been released to the outside world yet

Hi everyone, I am Enkeli, female, 56 and live in a suburb in Perth. My dad is a Vietnam Veteran, his father died on the HMAS Sydney in 1941 before dad was born. I have an older brother who lives with me and 2 half sisters who live in NSW. I had a younger brother but he died in a motorbike accident 15 years ago. My relationship with my dad has been up and down. He cheated on my mum and left her with my brother and I for his second wife. He's been married 3 times and blames everything on the Army, even when it's clearly his fault.

@Oaktree and @TAB know me from other threads and it's nice to meet y'all.

I like chatting (as Oak and Tabby can attest!) so if I am too chatty just let me know 😍

I can't remember how I found out about Shoulder to Shoulder but I'm glad I did.

Hope everyone's Friday is treating them kindly.

Thanks 🫂

Welcome to this hub @ENKELI

It’s great to have you here.

Sounds like a lot of Defence history in your family. I hope you enjoy your experience here.

@ENKELI

You are only 2 years older than me.

@Oaktree thanks Oak. Yes, quite a few members of my family were in the armed forces.

Thanks for the welcome 🙂