I am working in military now. When I am at work sometimes I’ve got feeling I’m in another world. So different. All activities depend on rules n regulation. People who serve there have to obey
Hi Misen,
I see that this is a difficult period to you. How to console you?
I can say what a song says: " Everything passes, everything comes to an end". Yes, I know this is a commonplace, but it is true.
Best wishes:
Kati Svaby
Would the Army have any problem with you if you mention any of their terms ?I don’t think so !anyway !
Thanks very much Alan for the essay.
You are indeed our “hero”.
Cheers
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Hello Alan,
I think nobody never got so many praising words than you. It means that the good are noticed by everyone.
I am pleased that you receive what you reserves. I remember when I read your first essay, you can give us the same standard in your all essay.
Many thanks:
Kati Svaby
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Hi all,
I’ve never had this experience though I really wanted to practice military activity. As far as my parents told to me they were doing it when they were young i.e in 1970 in that time it was mandatory but now they government don’t care about it I don’t really know why?
Shanthi I agree with you about keeping our mouth shut and eyes open and may be I would add keeping our hand typing or writing so that we can become good learner.
Thanks,
Faliery
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I love it
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Hi Alan,
the army was, is and will very strict for everyone who is deside to joing it! I know it’s a cruel condition and not everyone can take this challenge, but if You look at it from other side (state view) I thing it is necessery to provide a condition like that in the army, because this condition make a reall man and soldier, and defender for the country! If You look back at the histrory and trying to thing about the winer of the Second World War, when the Roud army was fighting with Germany, if those soldier were not growing up in the regime like Soviet union I thing the SSSR never had a chance to win. I know that there were another Ally army but they wait until the end and then when the SSSR almost wone they rush to help SSSR fighting with Germany. Good bless this died soldier, they are hero!
Best regards,
Miroslav
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Hi Mr. Alan:
I read the whole article of yours and I observed that everyone needs discipline. I joined in a military training when I was in high school. My commandant and the rest of the officers do an exercise especially we study how to command a company. In each of companies, there’s alpha, bravo, charlie, delta, and echo. The language we use in a military commands are aye aye sir instead yes sir, no sir, twenty-five last number sir, left-right etc. I couldn’t remember some words in a military command during my time. There are facts that you can’t enjoy the military are your co-officers and commandant. Sometimes they do something worse like watching porn to minors, and hazing. Men I wish I never joined in that military exercises because it brings bad experience to me.
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Hi Alan,
After reading your story about soldier’s training and life, I appreciate all that a soldier went through.
Thank you.
Catherine
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Hi Alan,
It looks like a tough transition from boys to men as you need to learn to be self-reliant. In Thailand, many young teenage boys, when they turn 20 years old, excluding those who enroll for Universities, must undergo military training. Selection is made randomly using a “black and red” selection process. Those who picked the (concealed) red one must complete the training, and those who picked the (concealed) black one will be free to choose his chosen career.
Regards,
Unchan
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Language of the Army----means of discipline.
I was the active member of BNCC(Bangladesh national Cadet core 1980-81)from
Dhaka college range under the Captain Ishaque of our head.
I learned "password’’ word from here not computer. There are a lot of essential English words that came from military sector. This sector makes me punctuality and straightforward thinking that are very much important in every sector of a life. When you penetrate into the enemy regime, you need to hold on for your identity, so this password is being set hour after hour! If you can’t make answer, otherwise your room will be in the quarter guard area(a mini jail) inside army camp for the time being.
They taught me how to run some small arms like Chines rifles and pistol.The most important thing is I can talk with the Army officers by their norms anywhere if I talk with them.
I still feel my parade drill makes me perfect on my balance of body that needs in emergency period or sudden of sickness or what is called first aid system, etc.
Everybody should involve with the military training at least one year in his life to realize what does mean a team work that can’t be taught from a cricket team also!
Because cricket team has limited members where in a parade team if you make a simple mistake it will be discernible immediate to all spectators that is too much humiliating among the members.E.G. to a guard of honor for a foreign prime minister, you can see any one member’s mistake immediate!
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Hi Alan,
Did you send me an essay on “Language of An Army” ? I did not receive it. I have been down with flu for two weeks and I am better now.
Thank You.
Catherine Tan
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Hi Alan,
I don’t know much about army life, so why did the sergeant want the barrack floor to be shining?
Thank you for this interesting essay.
Catherine Tan
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Hi
Good question but of course we were all too scared to ask! The main reasons were : 1 to give us something to do and 2 to exercise power and authority over us. When I look back now, I realise how ridiculous it all was.
Alan
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Hi Alan…its always gud to hear from you…i am really happy and lucky enough to be receiving your mails which are really so funny at times…n having so deep meanings…i also want to record my voice message and start interacting in english…bt i cannot do it through my android cell…but when i get time then i will surely try to do so on my laptop…thankyou…
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Thanks Alan
That rejuvenated few phrases in my mind. Army life is a closed book to me. The best part was that you elucidated the meaning of few phrases, idioms and words wherever they appeared. Here is a snap-shot of what I understood and what I didn’t
- Jumping the gun: Acting prematurely
- Stick to the guns: Remain fixed to your nature or plan
- Council of war: Meeting
- Shot in dark: Try and lucky if successful
- Flash in pan: A temporary success
- Turn-coat: Double dealer
- Remote chance: Bleak or no chance
- Civvies: Civilian clothes
- Cross swords with: Argue with
- Beat a hasty retreat: Give up the attempt
- Square bashing: Initial training
- Fighting fit: Extremely healthy
- Fighting a losing battle:
I didn’t found the meanings of following. It would be nice of you if you can elucidate: - Reveille
- A bit of lie in
- By a long shot
- Close our ranks
- Slid several feet on one leg
- With my spurs
Thanks again
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Thanks Mr. Alan for this essay.
As Ajay nahta pointed, it is full of interesting expressions.
The essay should be read for times to understand all its meaning and I try to find them by myself. It’s a pity that my printer is run out of ink!!
For me, army, except for memories and finding new friends, is just wasting time although I passed it in a beautiful region near a universal cave called Ali sadr cave. We went there many times!
Thanks again dear Mr. Alan.
Dear Allan,
How many time did you stay on the army? Was it an obligation?
Hello @Alan
Thank you for your explanation.
Please could you comment the usage of ‘beneath’ in the following lyrics extract:
What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs…
Does the usage of ‘beneath’ suppose the exception here?
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Hi Irina,
How are you? Always good to answer questions from you as your questions are always intelligent ones. But I’m afraid because of the 5 year gap, I can’t find the source. Can you help?
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