Topic: just 1 nagging doubt

senojekips · June 26th, 2008

Mike, my experience was 45 years ago, but I'm sure I will never forget it for a great number of reasons.

I joined the Royal Australian Navy as a 15 year old Junior Recruit which meant that I spent the first 12 months ashore under a very strict training regime. I won't go into detail, but I will suffice to say that the methods we were trained under would not be allowed today. In fact in latter years there have been two Royal Commissions held investigating the way in which we were treated. There were only two, leaves granted in that time one of two weeks and one at Christmas of four weeks.

For the first three months home sickness was a big issue, although I don't think that anyone ever mentioned it, certainly not to his classmates as we were all in the same boat and he would have received very little sympathy. After this initial 12 week period we were given two weeks of our annual leave and anyone who wanted out did not have to return,.. Every single man returned from that leave although the next six month period was to see some of them leave or be removed for all manner of reasons. Disciplinary, Medical, and Sporting injuries etc.

By this time a degree of camaraderie had developed and homesickness was not such an issue, anyway, we were kept too busy to dwell on it most of the time, with nearly every minute of the day spoken for.

The last three months although still far more rigorous than the treatment given to "adult" recruits seemed like a dream with daily leave allowed once per month, and visits to the base movies once a week if you were not on duty (one day in five)

109 of us completed 12 months out of an initial intake of 125.

When we passed out and went to the fleet, we were still only rated as ordinary seamen under training with such restrictions as no drinking and Cinderella leave, but it seemed like every day was Christmas Day and homesicknes was the furthest thing from my mind as I went to foreign ports and places I had never even dreamed of all in the company of my new mates who now viewed the average civilian as, "not even knowing that he was alive".

I have no doubt that there were many times I would have liked to have thrown in the towel, but my pride would not allow me to do it. Now I am thankful for that training as it has stood me in good stead all my life and I have never been out of work.

If we wish to get ahead in life, we must all accept some degree of discomfort, and it is better that we learn these lessons early. Comfort in later life, will come as a result of your earlier suffering.

Believe me, with just a little effort on your behalf you will not only get through it, you will live to look back on it as one of the better things you have done with your life.

June 26th, 2008
senojekips Tribunus Laticlavius	Mike, my experience was 45 years ago, but I'm sure I will never forget it for a great number of reasons. I joined the Royal Australian Navy as a 15 year old Junior Recruit which meant that I spent the first 12 months ashore under a very strict training regime. I won't go into detail, but I will suffice to say that the methods we were trained under would not be allowed today. In fact in latter years there have been two Royal Commissions held investigating the way in which we were treated. There were only two, leaves granted in that time one of two weeks and one at Christmas of four weeks. For the first three months home sickness was a big issue, although I don't think that anyone ever mentioned it, certainly not to his classmates as we were all in the same boat and he would have received very little sympathy. After this initial 12 week period we were given two weeks of our annual leave and anyone who wanted out did not have to return,.. Every single man returned from that leave although the next six month period was to see some of them leave or be removed for all manner of reasons. Disciplinary, Medical, and Sporting injuries etc. By this time a degree of camaraderie had developed and homesickness was not such an issue, anyway, we were kept too busy to dwell on it most of the time, with nearly every minute of the day spoken for. The last three months although still far more rigorous than the treatment given to "adult" recruits seemed like a dream with daily leave allowed once per month, and visits to the base movies once a week if you were not on duty (one day in five) 109 of us completed 12 months out of an initial intake of 125. When we passed out and went to the fleet, we were still only rated as ordinary seamen under training with such restrictions as no drinking and Cinderella leave, but it seemed like every day was Christmas Day and homesicknes was the furthest thing from my mind as I went to foreign ports and places I had never even dreamed of all in the company of my new mates who now viewed the average civilian as, "not even knowing that he was alive". I have no doubt that there were many times I would have liked to have thrown in the towel, but my pride would not allow me to do it. Now I am thankful for that training as it has stood me in good stead all my life and I have never been out of work. If we wish to get ahead in life, we must all accept some degree of discomfort, and it is better that we learn these lessons early. Comfort in later life, will come as a result of your earlier suffering. Believe me, with just a little effort on your behalf you will not only get through it, you will live to look back on it as one of the better things you have done with your life. __________________ "Those with ulterior motives may tell you what you wish to hear, but a real friend tells you what you need to know" http://www.geocities.com/senojekips/Index.htm Last edited by senojekips; June 26th, 2008 at 08:20.