Inspection .1 st Battalion Irish Guards

Wellington Barracks 01.05.2016

[@andrewdown6234]

I found out that my Great Grandad was in the Coldstream Guards served in the first world war ..Best Respects..God Bless

[@formhubfar]

My uncle is Lt Col Simon Nichols MBE 1st Battalion Irish Guards.

[@fleetmix11]

I was part of a guard of honour in 1987. When we were given the present arms, my SLR magazine fell off and clattered to ground. I was then and still now mortified by that. How I wasn't beaten to a pulp by the other lads amazes me, the shame will never leave. Sorry to all on 19 Sqn RAF Regt.

[@semajbronson21]

The Regimental Sergent Major (RSM) and The Drill Sergeant (DSgt) pacing the forecourt of Wellington Barracks

[@GunnersRange]

First of all, I want to say I love the traditions and history of the many units of the British Commonwealth. The history is incomparable. My FAVORITE enlisted rank when I was in the Corps was 'Lance Corporal' because it had the British tradition and sound to it. :) Secondly, I have to chuckle at some of the comments I read about how it was 'back in the day' because I have said the same thing many times. I went through boot camp in 1969, and I love to tell people to watch 'Full Metal Jacket' if they want to know how it was for me because that IS the way was. With every passing year until I retired as a CWO4 in 2004 I bemoaned the fact the Corps was becoming soft and boot camp was too easy and there was no stress. In spite of all that, however, the Corps seems to have survived and continues to perform as it has in the past. I daresay today's US Marines may well be the very best the country has had in spite of the fact they are not from 'back in the day'. Semper Fi!

[@irishjw]

As a number have said we have to work with what society gives us. The top DI at Parish Island said something like " if I trained recruits as we did just two years ago I would be under the stockade " It's not just the American Military even viewed where some British said same

[@teller1290]

I think Berger will finish the Corps. Love to know how many of his promotions were with Ash Carter or Obama's input. Top two stated priorities: 1) removing vestiges if late Confederacy from Marine posts, 2) pushing through as many "women combat commanders as possible." Now THOSE are two priorities that'll cause the PLA to pause in the S. China Sea.

[@GunnersRange]

@@teller1290 Sadly, I agree with you. The Corps will die from within, just as our country is dying from within. When I wrote the original comment, it was Pre-Berger. The USA desperately NEEDS a revolution and a reboot. I fear, however, those who are actually willing to do so are in the Baby Boomer generation and dying out just as the country is dying. Millennial do NOT have the backbone, balls, intestinal fortitude, or just plain guts to do it, not to mention they have been brainwashed into letting the government tell them what to do. Semper Fi! CWO4 USMCR [ret] 1969-2004

[@johnmcquillan8265]

@@irishjw 9

[@GunnersRange]

@Aliaholic123 Pearson Lord, yes, I have stories. Maybe not as thrilling as some but, still, the kind of stories you'd expect from serving in the military, especially the USMC. I'll give you one of my favorites: 12 January 1991 -- I remember the date exactly because 11 January was my birthday, and the shower I took that night was the last one I had for almost three months ;) -- we went 'to the field' from the port of Al Jubayl in Saudi to an area known as 'the triangle' along the Coastal Highway, which is comprised of the intersection of Tap Line Road with the Coastal Highway [easily spotted on a map]. Contrary to what some people believe, it can be cold as hell in the desert, especially in winter. Also, it DOES rain in the desert, especially in winter. Sure enough when we arrived at our designated AO, between the Coastal Highway and the Persian Gulf, it started to rain and continued for three days. Not a hard rain, but a cold steady rain. If I recall correctly, we suffered 100+ cold casualties from exposure because everyone was soaked before the two-man tents could be erected---personally, I couldn't feel my toes for two days. Anyway, on the 4th day, the skies had cleared and the sun shone brightly with a high temp that day of roughly 13C. Our Commanding Officer ordered the battalion to 'dry out'. During the course of 'drying out', some enlisted Marines took the command to heart, and were seen walking around 'butt naked'. Although I didn't see it, I was told Weapons Company decided it could not allow the 'challenge' of a few other nude Marines walking around to go unanswered, and the rest is history as almost to a man the enlisted of Weapons Company stripped to their birthday suits. Naturally, no one took a 'head' count but based on the T/O for a Weapons Company, I would say roughly 120-140 Marines and Corpsman participated. As the saying goes, "It's a hell of a way to fight a war!" Semper Fidelis! CWO4 USMCR [ret] 17 February 1969 - 1 August 2004

[@sabre22b]

DID YOU IRON THAT SHIRT BEFORE YOU SLEPT IN IT!???!! Yes sir. And then the beasting began..

[@christopherfisher6293]

We were on parade, and the inspecting officer asked the recruit in the I'll fitting uniform what fitted correctly? Answer. My blankets, sir!.

[@MegaTonkaman]

that is one of the most annoying things during an inspection is to have your headdress adjusted by someone else, and you cant even do anything to make it comfortable again.

[@alvindurochermtl]

MegaTonkaman Tough. If your headdress was on properly the inspecting NCO wouldn’t have needed to readjust it in the first place. ceremonial kit isn’t meant to be comfy or otherwise you might as well stay home with your pajamas.

[@lordracula2461]

Fuck off civvie

[@alvindurochermtl]

you were still in diapers when I passed out. Why don't you shut the fuck up.

[@hans2406]

MegaTonkaman It isn't meant to be comfortable. It is meant to be ceremonial.

[@stuartmcloughlin]

I'll bet you're an absolute hoot at parties.

[@DanDan-ho9zb]

served with both the drill bloke and big badge. 2 good guys

[@mikeyoung7660]

I served from 1975 til 1982 One Coy

[@paulthomson465]

Danny Hinton...served with him at Sandhurst, top guy!!

[@philm3509]

Good to see the promotions, congrats Flimbo on DSgt btw. Bet Sanja made a great Commanding Officer. All the best Phil Moo

[@carmenibarra5402]

Digno de ver❤❤❤

[@DavidSmith-fe2ws]

Upmost respect

[@thijshagenbeek8853]

The one thing no one ever gets right.. Inspection. There is always this striped pyjama or officer that manages to find. Something. Anything.

[@laurencehirst7814]

Wearing those bearskins must have been bloody awful! what happened when on parade, and it started raining?..Our 'slouch hats, caught and funnelled water..But not in our faces! Those bearskins would become heavy and be streaming water into the guardsman's eyes and face he wouldn't be able to see! And when marching..I suspect the horrible thing began to move on the poor Guardsman's head! I bet even a strong wind effected it as well!..It would have been even worse for a mounted officer and probably acted like a sail in a heavy wind!..Soldier's have words for those effects..But i'm not quoting any of 'em here!..

[@charliereader3462]

If you haven’t already, watch Trooping the Colour 2001

[@Insperato62]

What do the tassles all around the officer's bottom (on his coat) signify? Never noticed them before.

[@alanvt1]

Jeez! no country can show history like this! going back centuries!

[@hoennnoodle]

a lot of countries have histories going back more than a mere few centuries lol

[@liamcfc]

@@hoennnoodle Oh do you have to ruin it for everyone

[@expatexpat6531]

QN to the experts: Why are the SMs trousers so short? You can see them flapping around in the wind when they march towards the parade. Why does the sergeant with the golden stripes not have a bayonet on his rifle?

[@WmHorus]

I am curious about the high pitch at the end of the given command, is it just to distinguish the unit from another?

[@WmHorus]

thank you for the response

[@puppetmaster532]

it also helps when commands are being shouted across a parade square so that everyone can hear it.

[@jackbittles5172]

Words of command come in two phases. (1) The cautionary and followed by (2) The executive. With a higher pitch as Nick has described. QS

[@barryrosenfeld1617]

Belfastchild, I'm a former Guardsman (LF Coy; 2nd Scots Guards 1988-91) and we were never taught to salute in that manner. As an aside the Army today has really slid down in deportment standards since I was in. Now when I was in, our RSM had enlisted into the ranks in 1965 and his SNCO's had men who were in the 2nd World War so within three generations the fierce discipline known the Household Division has gone to the dogs.

[@MrScall35]

The standards of the Household Division now is shocking. They used to be renowned for their smartness and drill. I know that no money gets spent on HSC anymore and they have to make do with what they have, but its still shocking to see slovenly Guardsman. The CSM's salute was a disgrace. The standard of drill is now no different to the rest of the army. I think that is down to the Guards Depot being replaced with the ATR Pirbirght.

[@soldier2297]

Barry you probably have never even had a medal presented to you so pipe down. We do more than just drill these days and no one enjoys being drilled all day either. So bore off.

[@yahyahussein425]

John Smyth you wouldn't know an SLR from SA80 so piss off. Come back to me and talk to me when you tell me your old number. BS artist.

[@mahoneyjones7433]

Indeed Sir, in fact his comment is indicative of the very essence of the critique. This is obviously the mindset of some of today's Guardsmen. And this being observed by a mere R.E.M.E. (albeit, with 1st Btn. connections.). QS.

[@bernardquatermass4418]

@Barry Rosenfeld…I don’t know what you did in your massive three years in 2SG (mess waiter?) but the guardsmen of the last twenty years have been quite busy actually soldiering. Oh and the “fierce discipline” of the HDiv of the era you speak of was nothing more than racism, bullying and mindless bullshit. I’ll point you in the direction of a Cook Report program from 1992; it addressed bullying in the army and of the four regiments featured, three were HDiv. Coldstream Guards, Blues and Royals and Scots Guards, with the Scots Guards lad committing suicide; you probably remember that, he was in your Battalion on the 1990 Ulster tour. So you can stick your “fierce discipline” up your Bearskin, I’ll take the HDiv lads I soldiered with, who were actually thinking soldiers, not tick tock men.

[@justinneill5003]

My dad served in the Grenadiers in the early fifties, I remember him telling me about stripping down a rifle and the sergeant throwing the whole lot out the window, expecting all the parts to be found, cleaned and re-assembled in short order. Is that the norm or is it just a Guards thing?

[@mahoneyjones7433]

Neil, no decent Sgt would ever dream of carrying out such a dastardly deed. Imagine though, your boots going out of the window, after you were kind enough to open said window for the nice Sgt!

[@mcplisken1093]

Justin Neill neither of the Two.

[@mackenshaw8169]

You hear lots of similar atrocity, "nasho" stories from the 50's but with stuff like boots and ceramic mugs. Mistreating a rifle sounds sacrilegious.

[@axelpow]

Justin Neill I served right through the 70s, in training I saw and experienced all that and more. Beastings in the gym, that would contravene the Geneva convention on torture today.

[@Thorny5718]

Mate we had all sorts thrown out of windows including soldiers/recruits. Weapons were never thrown out. But woe be tide if it was found minging. You’d be beasted until your eye balls were bleeding 💪🏻😂😂🇬🇧

[@SR71ABCD]

1st Battalion wow just like the days of the Zulu's.

[@mikeyoung7660]

My old Regiment

[@mikeyoung7660]

@Karl Unknown I don't know any of them I joined in 1975 and left in 82. There's very few if any left now from when I was in. The RSM when I joined the Bn was Tommy Corcoran. The CO was RTP Hume aka Jaws. The CC of One Coy was Mary Baker, CSM was Gerry Crymble ex Guards Para. 2ic was Captain Kennard. The Adjadant was Captain Warrender. We never had a Malan platoon as there were no Malans, we had Wombats. No Recce Platoon either. One Coy, Two Coy, Four Coy, Support Coy, Administration Coy and HQ Coy. We had Swingfire mounted on the 432's same thing as Milan, a wire guided missile. We had 7.62 SLR's which were a great rifle not like the shit they have now. QS

[@ianorr7623]

OMG ! here comes the Weasel .

[@jamesh6024]

Something that has always struck me as curious: why are there shrouds on the foregrips and optics of the rifles? Is that meant to signify something about the state of the rifle?

[@ericshin121]

Wear and tear. Optics need to be protected. With the foregrip, it may damage/ruin the uniform plus it makes the rifle look more cleaner and comfortable to handle, especially with doing drill and slapping the rifle a bunch of times.

[@jamesh6024]

@@ericshin121 Ah. Thank you.

[@dsrduff]

what happened to longest way up, shortest way down RSM?....shocking!

[@zacharyreeves4951]

i believe that is an Australian thing, i think the British are straight up, straight down.

[@irishjw]

Question why some with yellow and some with white stripes ?

[@steveellis9065]

James McSherry 2 white strips is Corporal, 3 white stripes is Lance Sergeant and 3 gold stripes is full Sergeant.

[@irishjw]

Thank you

[@bernardquatermass4418]

@@steveellis9065 Wrong. Two white stripes is Lance Corporal.

[@jamesfraser4173]

So, what is the purpose of the two lads wit pace sticks marching to the carriage park and back?

[@kevinadamson7571]

They are pacing the minutes till the lax officers get their lazy arses on parade .

[@MikeBell20]

What did he say at 8:04? Something steady? Only word I caught was steady..

[@Richard500]

Was it during the"dressing"? Steady followed by Stand still the front rank etc?

[@Richard500]

Yes, I had another listen. I missed the "Marker Steady" before!

[@kevinadamson7571]

Marker steady.

[@SS08947]

Pacing the forecourt...why is that done?

[@SS08947]

@Karl Unknown Cheers for that.

[@beerborn]

Those SA80 rifles weigh around 8.5 pounds and can't be put on the ground because they are too short in length so they have carry it at all time even at parade rest.

[@Interisti2506]

The SLR was used before the SA80, I served in The Grenadier Guards in 1984 and they changed over about 86/87 it was a nightmare to learn with the SA80, you can rest the rifle on your buff belt just don’t get caught 😉

[@alberthead8659]

2:25 "Twitchy" in the rear rank needs to stand still!

[@mauricesullivan8625]

As smart as a carrot. ☘️

[@davesblasting7457]

Are there any actual Irish men north or south in this unit ? Not trying to start anything; just curious! After all; there were Irishmen on both sides in the Spanish Civil War. Whatever. Just sayin’

[@jamesh6024]

Safe to assume that there are soldiers from the North as well as the Republic serving as Irish Guards

[@lindaho6017]

Why the sergeant's chevrons have white color and gold color. Are they mean senior or junior ?

[@TheDrummie1]

White chevrons denote the rank of Lance Sergeant (equivalent to Full Corporal) Gold chevrons denote rank of Full Sergeant.

[@user-us4iz4ei6i]

+ Linda Ho This is a feature of all Foot Regiments of the Household Division. Technically, they are two completely separate ranks. The white chevrons signify a Lance Sergeant which is equal to the rank of Corporal in the other regiments. The gold chevrons are for a "full" Sergeant, the rank above.

[@kelvinktfong]

TheDrummie1 Queen Victoria did not like seeing her guards with a solitary stripe. So all lance corporals wore corporal stripes and corporals got white sergeant stripes as lance sergeants. Ah the glory of imperial power

[@Robert-ro5tb]

4520 BCE

[@ianwilson1244]

Tick...fuckin tock...

[@huyiii2435]

What's the rank of the guy in the black coat

[@CDB8939]

Lt Colonel

[@CDB8939]

@@memphis6420 The Officer has shoulder markings of one Pip & one Crown which is Lt Col (look at 13.53 for the best view) I think it is Lt Col I. Alexander J. Turner

[@CDB8939]

@@memphis6420 As this was filmed in May 2016 I will stick with Lt Col Turner being the inspecting Officer

[@francisskarin9104]

How come some of the officers are not wearing a bearskin caps?

[@semajbronson21]

@Casus Knacksus correction he is a DSgt not a CSM. Company Sergeant Majors do not have a sword.

[@wilhard45]

Curious but I thought I saw spurs on the officer's boots/shoes. Was I mistaken? It looks like a Blues & Royals uniform now that I think about it. Would some Brit care to clear that up for me? Tried to find it online but after a fruitless search mostly for lacking the correct question I resort to being lazy and just asking.

[@mikeyoung7660]

It was the commanding Officer of the Irish Guards. That's his order of dress, and he wears spurs.

[@FortunaFortesJuvat]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Colonel, majors and the Adjutant wear spurs on their boots and riding overalls instead of trousers. I believe they get full height boots and breeches in service dress as well.

[@keilahdemarco2698]

He's not part of the Blues or Life guard he's inspecting officer he is a Lt Col

[@olanrewajuihenacho178]

Is that really a full strength battalion?

[@Spartan77666]

Do not miss this shit

[@clutchisland5323]

4:04 CROWS ??? WTF

[@truthmediarebel5816]

Time to join the Irish Army.

[@jackmccollum6632]

This is the British army.

[@pbrobotspbrobots1710]

its a shambles if my old csm saw this he would have a fit. your right about your mans salute its a mess but you get this with senior nco's of that rank, they seem to develop this crap arse style of saluting but come down on the gdsm if they try this. its a different army today from the 1970s army service. the guards depot has long since changed from its glory days of the 70s. sandy's solders home the sand hill and the queen Mary and the parade ground was gods golden acre. ah the good old days.

[@Richard500]

That stupid rifle doesn't help! At least the rolling swagger has gone but has been replaced with a strange movement of the swinging arm, a sort of swing out to one side on the forward movement?

[@kevinadamson7571]

@stanly stud your a failure and a bellend and wouldn't pass the kit inspection on day 1 .

[@sabre22b]

What happened to a 4 and 2 hair cut? There were a couple of 0 hair dos there....

[@sabre22b]

"That" salute is..well...put it this way...anyone else would be visiting the guard house for some morale boosting pt.

[@wernerhaase2632]

Die Ladys sehen so aus!!😅😄😃🤣🤣😂😂😁😀😅😄😃😃🤣🤣😂😂😁😁😀

[@tepidbudgie]

What?

[@alexandermaxwell2955]

That is not a Battalion perhaps a company from a Battalion

[@lastpostbugler]

If you think that, that, is confusing, their rank structure is even more complicated .

[@FortunaFortesJuvat]

Guardsman < Lance Corporal < Lance Sergeant < Sergeant < Colour Sergeant < CSM < RSM < Ensign < Lieutenant < Captain < Major < Lt. Colonel

[@fightingulsterman7376]

Done this for few years and i dont know why people like watching it it is so boring

[@fightingulsterman7376]

23rd Regiment of Foot each to their own I guess

[@barryrosenfeld1617]

Please will someone tell the Drill Sergeant how to salute if you please?

[@lastpostbugler]

I too used to wonder why all guardsmen saluted in this manner. Until I was informed that all guardsmen are taught to salute as if they are wearing the bearskin as opposed to the slashed peak cap... Hope that answers your question. In my regt , we wore a beret ( even in no 1 " Blues")

[@PaddyInf]

Barry Rosenfeld Ok. You bend the right arm sideways until parallel with the ground. You then bend the arm at the elbow, at the same time straightening the fingers and thumb of that hand. You continue to bend the arm until the right forefinger is 1 inch above the right eye and you freeze in that position. Points to note - The palm is facing forward. The fingers, wrist and forearm are straight. The rest of the body is erect and square to the front. Upon completion of the Regimental pause of 2-3, you bring the right hand down by the shortest possible route, at the same time closing the fingers and thumb. You continue to lower the hand until the thumb is along the seam of the trousers. Point to note, you should now be at the correct position of Attention. Hope he's reading this.

[@keilahdemarco2698]

We don't have Drill seargents Only CSM RSM

[@justinmaguire6322]

Barry Rosenfeld The British and Americans have different salutes, typical yank that thinks their way is the right way

[@Nozz65]

kill. one guy kept moving his face

[@alanvt1]

I thought the Welsh guard buttons were in "fours"?

[@shill700]

Irish in fours

[@calumroney7352]

Alan Thomas Grenideirs is one, Coldstreamers two, Scots three, Irish four, Welsh five.

[@trevorfuller6393]

Taffs in groups of five (5)

[@jackbittles5172]

Well done young "Roney !. You were paying attention to Regimental History. QS

[@burning9493]

The irish guard have 4 buttons 2 sections of 4

[@mikeyoung7660]

I'd like to see the drill a tad sharper

[@Tellemore]

Of course you would; far better in your time I suppose.

[@bernardquatermass4418]

Oh look, another Cold War Warrior.

[@richardgrant7055]

A Commissioned Officer should not really be adjusting head dress...........

[@Jake-ui4wz]

However, the inspecting officer should be

[@tinamonteros8279]

let me ask a question , what happen to the papers on the parade in 1968. why did they steal my tina michelle born may 03,1968 information ? what is the singer mariah carri using my name in the parade? im not happy united kingdom..the singet illegally using the name is in my family home.

[@brenfit4257]

Why would Irishman join British Army??? Beyond me,especially the damage they done here....

[@mikeyoung7660]

Skins could do with a groom no shape at all to some of them. Not good

[@philipmooney595]

A sham of a regiment these days, god help them

[@HollomanUFOLanding]

13:32 Look at that guard - he looks like he is asleep, leaning forward!!! I'm not in the military and even I knoiw that's not right!! Standards have definitely slipped.

[@kelvinktfong]

HollomanUFOLanding sleeping in ranks is an art form

[@Rbenson1979]

I don't think they are Irish. The real Irish Army is in the Republic of Ireland 🇮🇪 my Irish friends told me. This is a British Army.. English. 🇬🇧

[@Glasguensis]

It recruits from both the Republic and Northern Ireland.

[@youtubeaccount5738]

Recruits from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

[@dublinstevie]

Woeful drill

[@SS08947]

Agreed.

[@robertfirkins5334]

For all those who want to to join the army, this is not true, just listen to the Spanish in the back ground,could this be England?

[@keilahdemarco2698]

robert firkins Yes this is England They are the Queen's Guard

[@admanpaulandrew]

Who do you get to tell the RSM that at the trail the pacestick is to be swung parallel to the ground, not at the angle these blokes do. poor performance.

[@lopezalfredo2346]

ridiculous do not kill

[@Alex-kc3ex]

lopez alfredo what?

[@youtubeaccount5738]

They do.

[@SaxonSuccess]

Well, this whole performance is ridiculous!!! Ludicrous.

[@sgu02nsc66]

Aren’t most examples of life a ridiculous sequence of indoctrinations?

[@robertfirkins5334]

Is this a joke? I spent 10 years in the army., this is fake.

[@Lucas-mm5pl]

Whit

[@Robert-ro5tb]

4520 BCE

[@Robert-ro5tb]

4520 BCE

[@Robert-ro5tb]

3:17 March 17 can't make it gambling