Thursday, May 21, 2009

A Great Day

This is a great day for the Gurkhas and the British people.  These guys have served us for 200 years and are now getting what they deserve UK citizenship.  

How many of us who gained citizenship as a birthright have done as much as these men to deserve it.  

The Next Fight

We need to bring the pay and pension up for all soldiers as it is crap but before we do that we need to bring the Gurkhas up to that shit level.   The pension was the main reason I left as I could not see myself struggling to get by from the age of 40 with no transferable skills.

A guy who joined the infantry with me in 1986 would of served in Northern Ireland, Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.  After 22 years of traveling from one shit hole trouble spot in the world to another he would be let go and on the dole.  He would have 15 years to get buy until his pension kicked in.  I've seen these guys driving taxis and other shit jobs.  They'll retrain you as a HGV (Truck) driver, another shit job where you are away from your family for extended periods.

Where is the UK's version of the GI bill.  Give these guys a free education and the chance of a great future.  Admittedly, Some squaddies have trouble licking the sticky side of the stamp but some are very intelligent but would not consider this path unless it was opened up to them.  I would never of thought of is until Stu led me down this path.  Now I make more than the general that led me.

For me heading to my 40th birthday it is mission accomplished.  In 1991 I made the decision to leave the army so I could have a future beyond the age of 40.  Through some good decisions and lots of luck I've done that and more than I could wished for.  However, I should not of had to leave the army to accomplish this.


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