Sandhurst 2011 documentary 3 of 3

[@hoplite669]

The "Former electrician" really impressed me. So determined and serious, and yet really charming and cheerful at the same time.

[@einzelganger2939]

Rather be a spark! More money and less hassle.

[@josephlambe2796]

@@einzelganger2939 Also better hours and more illuminating…..

[@paulboulter7823]

I heard that Thompson was an excellent officer.I imagine he’s retired by now,probably a full Colonel??

[@lutontown5923]

@@einzelganger2939and live a life as a total nobody.

[@LewisBrown-s4f]

⁠@@paulboulter7823currently CO B coy, 3 para - lt col

[@MadIslowlygoing]

Thompson was one of the best recruits, and showed it through hard work and a hell of a lot of effort.

[@downlink5877]

They also left out footage of him failing and having to retake certain assessments, while they left in all of the footage of Harbord's failures. BBC narrative and all.

[@johnnunn8688]

Downlink, source?

[@Azilla00]

⁠Thompson still made it AND passed P Company, a feat in itself

[@johncharlton199]

I'm no soldier but I would happily follow Thompson into battle. a top bloke and a inspiring leader.

[@harryfitz2052]

Harbord’s review panel.... “he has the break strain of soggy Kit Kat” One of the best character assessments I’ve come across. Well done that man 😊😂

[@linkingnightcore867]

I think that was Steve Monroe, if that was his name. He did guarding the queen episodes if I remember rightly.

[@alexlamond9559]

He’s had everything handed to him on a silver platter.

[@josephlambe2796]

It’s common sense that you put a lot of effort into fitness, before you even get on the transport before you get to Sandhurst, even your 17 year old recruits going into the army know that….

[@shaunmcnally3064]

Thompson is a top bloke. Every young soldier should want to serve under and alongside someone like him. Priorities and morales, bang on. Hope he's doing well

[@_JoeTilling]

If anyone wanted a 'where are they now' based on their social media: Thompson - Still serving Harbord - Left in 2018, reached Captain according to one article Eldridge - Left in 2017, now working at JP Morgan Colour Sergeant Vezza - Unknown if still serving, at least reached WO2 Captain Guthrie - Left in 2013, now Executive Director at Goldman Sachs Tant (Thompson's roommate) - Left in 2018 Mansel Lewis - Estate agent Mountain (Mansel Lewis' roommate) - Still serving in Household Cav Batty (the guy who wanted to jack in the first 2 days) - Left in 2016, reached Captain Stewart - Still serving

[@pamellab6194]

Joe Tilling Harbord made it to major. He played a leading role in 2017’s trooping of the colour and retired that year. You can see him on some videos called ‘Destination Dakar’, on KZbin. In the first one, he joked about how he came over badly on tv, and played a clip from the show. Word is, he was well liked and respected by his men in the lifeguards.

[@_JoeTilling]

@@pamellab6194 That's great to hear! He did seem like a genuine person despite the portrayal in the show

[@lonewolf6364]

Joe Tilling great post, ta.

[@22epicman]

Apparently Thompson was held at rank. He was involved in something that damaged his career

[@Hamsterman691]

@@22epicmanBe interesting to know what it was

[@ankles632]

The guys going up the hill reminded me of something my first platoon Sgt told me. You are never too tired to take 1 more step.

[@GGritsun]

I learned that on the way to Everest Base Camp

[@bakersmileyface]

I learned that playing Civ V.

[@cambs0181]

That's a good remark.

[@jonblaha1898]

Harbord needs to improve his fitness. "What sport are you doing Harbord?" "Polo" 🤣😅😂

[@delta911]

True you run ?

[@alexlamond9559]

He’s the example of a posh twat!

[@Tazza81]

"What sport did you do in term two Harbord?" "Shooting. And I did Beagling in first term"

[@danielpeters2584]

Polo was obviously discourged as it falls short in building teamwork. Polo ought not to be even offered as a sport option for cadets laboring under Harbord's deficiencies.

[@CEBOYY]

Thompson, what a sound lad. All the best.

[@grantdownie2598]

I bumped into him in ITC cookhouse a few years ago and the fame had gone to his head!! Actually he was very pleasant and willing to chat about the way they portrayed him in the series. Didn't seem they took too many liberties but he did agree that they singled him out for having a regional accent.

[@louisfranklin9094]

Anyone know how he got accepted into Sandhurst as a qualified electrician?

[@grantdownie2598]

Louis Franklin he must have had enough A levels and GCSE's. Then passed AOSB.

[@louisfranklin9094]

I'm trying to find out for myself, I really want to apply as an officer as I too will soon be a qualified electrician.

[@kylearmstrong3935]

What made me like him was the way he spoke about the afghan campaign with such professionalism on how you would explain things to a pte soldier irrespective of your personal feelings after mansell lewis’s exodus for not wanting to kill although we all know its because he didnt want to lose his bollocks.

[@archiematthews7921]

Harbords running at the 40 minute mark was flippin hilarious.

[@nacholibre1962]

The Household Cavalry kid was an absolute drip. Over-indulged, over-privileged, and entirely lacking in the experience of adversity. I wouldn't follow this twerp out of morbid curiosity. The former electrician, however, undoubtedly made an excellent Para officer. He did a cracking job and I'm sure his troops follow him willingly (once he's been "regimentalized!)!

[@AdamBaileyloltv12]

I couldn't agree more with you, the para officer deserved it. Eldridge and the household cavalry lad didn't deserve commission.

[@nacholibre1962]

Then there was the other kid who said he realized he was a bit of a "pansy" and was OK with that. Just as well he binned it (or he might have ended up in the cavalry, too!).

[@AdamBaileyloltv12]

+Albert Head yeah! Might have been a terrible fate had he not binned it and got into the Cav!

[@housecritique3799]

+Albert Head I thought the same, had a look around to see what he's up to now and it turns out, from OCdt's who were at there at the time, that he wasn't nearly as bad as he looked in the show. The guy who put the show together apparently had a real chip on his shoulder toward the upper classes...woth bearing in mind, who knows if any clips making Harboard look good were left on the editing room floor.

[@jackh2776]

Just appeared on BBC1's Trooping the Colour coverage, speaking to Claire Balding after the parade!

[@tonykennedy5522]

There is an undeniable class about British Army Officers. So impressive.

[@Erik3E]

"leadership is not a privilege, it's a burden". As true as it is the sun shines in the morning.

[@nolanreese8378]

Poor PT will always keep you back regardless of how good you are at being personable or being good on knowledge.

[@kevirish37]

I spent 10 years in Australian Infantry, lack of sleep was always the worst

[@goodgirlkay]

Harbord represents the worst of his (social) class...He is clearly there at Sandhurst because of pure nepotism.

[@Dunning.Kruger]

bit of a posh wanker

[@chrisashton6088]

Absolute disgrace, but no more than has been common in the Household Division since Cromwell. They get weeded out!

[@jakeharrison6534]

he couldn't lead shit hes weak and his men would pick up on it immediatly people like him who pass out get people killed

[@goodgirlkay]

xjxism car Class should not matter...but clearly Harbord is not there on his merits, but because he belongs to a certain class.

[@immortallvulture]

not so much about class as family ties. fortunately there are few of them those days and the ones that there are don't move up the chain without merit

[@davidrobinson7062]

Like Captain Guthrie..He's fair with them..And he can be tough when necessary!

[@Jim-Tuner]

for anyone interested, Thompson's career path has been: - Rifle Platoon Commander (3 PARAs) - 2 years - Recruit Platoon Commander - 1 year - Fire Support Group Commander - 18 months - Company 2nd in Command - 18 months - Operations Officer - 2 1/2 years He is still (2019) in the army. I've not been able to find his current rank. The Household Cavalry kid served doing ceremonial horse duty and retired as a major. Elizabeth Eldridge was a captain by 2014 and retired as a major from the Royal Signals.

[@bigman25plus25]

and it was only 9 years ago!

[@anonymous2513456]

Eldridge, she does not come across well in this series but at least she got what she wanted, a military career on her CV. She appears ti have done Herrick 19 with 14 Signal Regiment (Electronic Warfare) but I cant find much else about her. Thompson was a winner from day 1, give me a 100 of him and I'll build you a new empire.

[@EthanThomson]

@@anonymous2513456 she joined B squadron army training regiment after doing Herrick 19 and getting to captain

[@maquettemusic1623]

He is currently a recruiting officer for the Para regiment.

[@kingoscar5884]

@@maquettemusic1623 Do you know his current rank?

[@deplorabled1695]

A lot of criticism over the standards of Sandhurst and the selection process - but just remember Sandhurst regularly kicks USMA arse in the annual Sandhurst Competition. In the last ten years alone RMA have won it 4 times to USMA twice - before that it was pretty much a one horse race with RMC-C winning it 5 times also.

[@geordiewishart1683]

Yes but the various US academies are primarily universities albeit with a military ethos. Their main function is to educate. It would be fair to say that they do little more than dip into the science and art of soldiering. That comes after they commission.

[@Squelch133]

'With the bird'. I feel safe with him protecting me.

[@shellc6743]

Does she call him "The Pratt" ?

[@credence7777777]

when an english army officer gives you the chance to go back in history and change the world, maybe rescuing communism from its decline is not the wisest task to suggest. she lost her commission at that moment.

[@BrucieMagik]

Actually, I think she was bang on. In terms of Historical politics and policies, yes, her answer does stand up. I see where she is coming from. However, she answered the question as someone interested in politics, not someone who has the mindset of giving an answer to please officers to get somewhere. So my conclusion is, they asked a stupid question and got the answer they deserved. The officer Himself did state that she was known for being different, end of the day, if they can't embrace her differences or harness the differences then it's their loss not hers.

[@AnonAnonAnon]

@@BrucieMagik I served with the officer who asked her the question. In terms of intellect, he is on par with her to be honest. A deep thinker but also thinks outside the box, so to speak. It was the officer sat behind who put the knife into her career with the AAC, but if she was commissioned into another corp or regiment, she could always apply for pilot selection, pass, serve in the AAC and transfer at a later date. This video is from 2011 so she may well have done so. The officer who asked the question has since left the Army.

[@BrucieMagik]

Thanks for your reply, that does make a difference. Thanks for the insight.

[@anonymous2513456]

@@AnonAnonAnon `She failed the aptitude test for Pilot because she is a wet, dripping mong who only joined to try to add credibility to her political aspirations. Nobody stuck the knife in and made her fail the test.

[@AnonAnonAnon]

@@anonymous2513456 The officer behind her at the time of this interview, not the career she sought after Sandhurst. I take it you served with her? Each to their own.

[@osborneist]

Harbord is the type of officer that expects respect, and doesn't have to earn it because of his 'social status'

[@grantdownie2598]

He probably turned out alright. Being made to look a shower of shit on tv probably made it very difficult for him when he eventually got to the Household Cav.

[@kylearmstrong3935]

Grant Downie i doubt it, you get into the cavalry regiments on two ideologies. 1 you either have a lot of money or two you are a legacy ie, a family member has served. The household cav and the life guards officers still prance about with all the pop and colorum of the pretentious non(bloke)caring officers of the peninsular war era. Horrible men to even speak to let alone serve under. The highest level of im an officer and you are (just) a soldier attitude is what they all have in the cav.

[@glewisg7501]

You are quite possibly one of the most blind, bigoted, narrow sighted and straight up stupid people i've ever had the displeasure of hearing from. Harbord was an idiot, and this is shown in the program and the opinions of the academy staff, he is not representative of the cavalry as a whole. There's a reason that the household cavalry are used as the enemy forces against the rest of the army during training........ They're the best, along with the elite guards and para's etc

[@wjf0ne]

G LewisG While watching, under pain of death should I decline the wife's command, the latest Royal wedding, I hear some ex army bod discussing the regiments present. One of the Household pony troops is now 52 percent women. Scary.

[@glewisg7501]

The Kings Royal Horse Artillery is a ceremonial element of the royal artillery, it has nothing to do with the household cavalry regiment. Also they are purely ceremonial and not a combat unit, the only argument that could be made against women in the KRHA is that they spoil the traditional aesthetic, which i don't think is true

[@MJMgreen0303]

As a former SNCO of the Royal Marines, our Officers are trained alongside Royal Marine recruits. Yes they are separated, they share the same parade square, the same gym. The officers have to pass the Commando Tests in a quicker time than recruits, earning respect from the start............ 8 miles with 30 kilos....... some of these officer cadets are not physically able to carry such a small load. Not fit enough........ not prepared....... its all in the mind... feel the pain and do it anyway....... team work....

[@stretfordender11]

Can't believe she said she was a communist at an army interview.

[@chriscoulter6089]

My mouth dropped open in shock when she said that....she should have instead said that frontal infantry assaults in 1916 are not an effective tactic against machineguns and artillery

[@Rojoyerf]

Thing is though: The red army was an army, no matter what your political beliefs are. It doesn't really matter what side you're on when you're looking at how history could've been different, and it's not even like she said she actually was a communist either. If we're to use the logic of "she can't pick that cause that's not pro-British" then you could say that picking any scenario in history other than one supportive of Britain's interests should sink the interview...

[@phil-zz5hk]

communism is utopia . the problem is, utopia does not exist . and besides communism or capitalism , we are all controlled the same .

[@TrequartistaFM]

She’s not a communist, in episode 1 she talks about her friends on the other political side and what they would think about her being an officer. She’s just obviously very into history. I’m into JFK’s tenure as president, I certainly don’t like the Dems tho

[@lightningonlycommentsonce5824]

I can't believe you're stupid enough to take what she said as her saying "I'm a communist". Really shows how people like you are all just as fucking stupid, Right or Left or whatever dumbshit you poisonous fucks come up with. Relying only on your feelings over actual facts and when its convenient for you or just outright too fucking stupid to comprehend anything else besides your own opinion you have a very bad case of selective hearing no matter what side you're on.

[@tooyoungtobeold8756]

Junior officers in WW1 were taught to look after their men first, then themselves and the casualty rate for them (the officers) was very high indeed.

[@harunwest1436]

Thompson's a top lad

[@goose300183]

26:50 - Look at Major Lytle's reaction. It was interesting, and he clearly thinks highly of Eldridge. When she is rejected, he vocally says "fair enough", but his body language says something very different. He looks to the man at his right, looking for a last glimmer of hope. When he doesn't get it, and realises all are decided, he stands up and folds his arms. He also subconciously shakes his head right before he stands up. He is also smiling, but not from happiness. The smile is more of a "I feel a bit silly now" kind of feeling. Body language basically saying: "Are you joking? I do not agree at all. Conversation over, I'm getting out of here."

[@bakersmileyface]

Well I mean she pledged her support of marxism in front of them. Considering how soldiers tend to be more conservative and she's trying to join the army as an officer in a capitalist country. It's kind of normal to be sceptical. Especially in a room full of people who likely served during the cold war when they were taught how bad communism is. Not to mention how her out of the box thinking is not often great for a chain of command. There is a reason why soldiers are turned into machines and that is because it is efficient to do so. Someone who is willing to take risks is going to be someone difficult to control. And taking risks when people's lives are at stake is not something people wish to see in a Junior officer. Especially in Junior officers because of their immediate influence over situations. The example she chose was also a bad example not just because of the marxism thing, but also because she did not state a cause, effect and reasoning behind her change as well as alternative options available and why she didn't choose them. Instead she was just adamant that she was right as soon as she said she'd convince him to stick to Marxism. She didn't even state how she was going to accomplish the feat of befriending Lenin and changing his mind. It felt more like she was pressing her political views rather than answering the question. Not a great trait in the military.

[@monsieurboks]

@@bakersmileyface Didn't you watch the first part? She stuck up a picture of her with Thatcher as her proudest moment. Not a snowball's chance in hell she's a Marxist. Just that she has Marxist friends (as does anybody who went to university).

[@candyman9798]

I mean she cried after getting told off for sleeping on guard and was super demotivated when doing the final exercises. Not the ideal candidate

[@welshknight1456]

I remember one English officer who bollocked two Royal Welch Fusiliers for being too slow, they were the radio operator and the GPMG carrier, it was in boggy ground on top of the Welsh mountains in a gale force wind. Later he found he had taken us to the wrong mountain peak, he couldn't read a map. we were pissing ourselves laughing.we showed him later how fit we were when we out paced him on flat ground and left him behind.

[@rk24133927]

I was an RE we had this worthless 2nd lieu. We did 20 miles & we almost had to carry him, feet was hurting him. What did he think my feet were made of fucking leather, my feet were killing me as well.

[@GarethT902]

@@rk24133927 I was RE we had a few fuckwits who never made it passed lt. Some good ones though who I would follow anywhere.

[@rk24133927]

@@GarethT902 I would say the majority were good, seem to remember the wankers better. Was at 37fld sqn Longmoor. Same officer! He was Irish & joined our troop as the rest of the sqn was going to do operation Motorman in NI, they got a good one, we got this wanker. A friend of mine got a DD charge. He was supposed to accompany my friend in court, he never showed up. My friend told the clerk of the court. " If you see a little boy lost in an officers uniform tell him I have fucked off"!

[@mexicanfries5336]

You Taffy bastard.

[@rk24133927]

@@mexicanfries5336 Taffys are OK hated the place though. I was not SAS but still humbted over Penny Fan a few times.

[@TomWGraphics]

I wouldn't even accept Harbord into the RLC. Complete waste of space.

[@user-fd1cp9jt5i]

He's in the Life Guards now. There's a video knocking about on KZbin with him doing the 4'o'clock parade

[@aviationiceman9549]

Tom Wainwright not even in the RAC🤣

[@all4games825]

The Scots guards officer who was intiseing the cadet up the hill was my platoon commander in ITC Catterick he was always on point awsome officer

[@mikemalloy1681]

This is a very interesting series. Because the date is 2013, I would like to know if there was a followup on these individuals as they progressed through their military career?

[@TheLifeOfDan1]

This was 2011

[@p28-e7j]

If you have to tell an officer...a leader to keep going....then get him gone!!!

[@almac8524]

But they aren’t officers. They are officer cadets and there is a difference. Mistakes maketh the man

[@firecracker367]

This is why someone like you shouldn’t be a leader of anyone

[@danielw5850]

3 Cdo Bde Royal Marines are continually under threat of disbandment, yet the Household Cavalry continue to be tolerated by the taxpayer; Harbord is their poster-boy :(

[@marcwilding4804]

Daniel W how are they at Armd Recce?

[@danielw5850]

@@marcwilding4804 Pretty good at that, like the rest of the RAC; I was referring to the "Gilbert & Sullivan" of Hyde Park Bks.

[@actionjackson9385]

Sad, but completely true. The home and HQ of 3 Cdo Bde, in Stonehouse, Plymouth, the only purpose built Royal Marines barracks in existence, is to be sold off to developers for flats. Can't see the Household Cavalry moving out of Hyde Park Barracks anytime soon.

[@danielw5850]

@@actionjackson9385 That's depressing to hear, I believe there are plans to flog-off HPB; the families move out years ago.

[@itsweb1584]

To give him a commission is an embarrasssment.Our soldiers are led by failures who succeeded because of friendships higher up.

[@freedomatlast8756]

"Him"? Be specific to whom you refer.

[@chrisashton6088]

In 1988, when I commissioned, the intake was disproportionately skewed towards those from public/private schools, who often had previous military exposure through their CCF family etc. I expect that within the teeth Arms this remains the case, if not more so, as the Army is now about half the size, the job market is tougher and the educational advantages and quality of private education is greater now, than it ever was..... so the Regular Commission Board can be very picky and can demand that a future officer at least knows how to handle a knife and fork! The supposed Smart regiments, (Household/Guards and Cavalry) , many of which have now been amalgamated, tended to pre select and pre train their candidates through 'Brigade Squad' which also gave them an additional advantage once they had joined the course. Sandhurst NCO's were then predominantly from the Guards. The Regimental selection boards select officers that will fit their Regimental traditions and their Mess, but the candidates have to come up to the mark as a starter. Nepotism does occur but probably no more than in the Fire service, London Underground or the Labour party. In my day there were some Hooray Henry types who probably commissioned on the basis of their riding ability or an antecedents links and saw a short service commission as an extended Gap Year, before taking over the Family Estate, Merchant Bank etc Feel pretty certain that this is much reduced after the British Army's almost continuous operational exposure since the first Gulf War. Pig sticking aboard a Polo pony might well have been a military skill in previous Afghan campaigns but IED's and AK's tend to derail the finest seat!

[@EthanThomson]

something interesting: a couple of years ago, i was barred from entry as an officer due to inssufficient UCAS points (aint dumb, just didnt do A levels and went to college instead), as of yesterday, however, I do qualify for entry gonna at least try it

[@kylearmstrong3935]

As an enlisted man i couldnt have put that better myself. Is nepotism the practise of your dad putting a word in for you?

[@wjf0ne]

Kyle Armstrong Nepotism actually means favouring your nephew, but yes, it does mean someone putting in a good word for you. It happens everywhere, like the shipyards back when we built ships or in factories. They knew that if you fell down on the job you were letting down your family sponsor and back then family was important.

[@carlnordgren257]

In 1979, the Labour Party promised to abolish the British Public School Charter, which effectively would have killed off privately funded education. The Tories won the election, Thatcherism ensued, and the private (public) schools dodged the bullet. Radley College, in honour of the Tory election victory, built a golf course on their grounds....go figure. Oh, and with all the British Military budgetary cutbacks happening today, the subsidization (50%) of Army Officers' children's Public Boarding School education is soon to be cut.

[@carlnordgren257]

The CEA allows for anybody - NCOs and Commissioned Officers alike - to qualify for CEA, however, given that the scheme does not cover 100% of the full cost of boarding school, it is only Commissioned Officers who can afford to send their kids to Public Schools, and then only Senior Commissioned Officers can reasonably be expected to afford it. Eton doesn't have too many Corporals' kids enrolled. Colonels and Generals kids, generally speaking. Sad but true. Last year 5,216 kids were sponsored by the British Armed Forces to attend Public Schools, and overwhelmingly the sons and daughters of Commissioned Officers.

[@piningforsunshine3493]

"What sport did you do last term?" Polo, second term Shooting first term Bugling. Jesus wept what a wet cloth.

[@1337flite]

That wasn't bugling - it was beagling. The hunt, I think.

[@24934637]

@@1337flite Probably get more of a physical work out bugling! LOL.

[@williamwallace2278]

Cannot belive that character Harbord? Simply unbelievable! Is he even a real person? Absolute joke! Kind of upper class spoilt clown that will cost lives. How could you expect any other ranks soldier to respect that! Obviously daddy has guaranteed his place. Wanker!

[@nicholasdavies8795]

Yep...... cheated ! Not cut out for it !

[@scottyfox6376]

Think of the millions who died in WW1 from incompetence of their higher officers.😟

ScottyFox That’s not an entirely fair comment. In the first 2 years of the conflict, officers had a higher death rate in combat than that of soldiers.

[@scottyfox6376]

@ True Junior officers but not the one's making tactical decisions, correct ?

ScottyFox Yeh I’d agree with that statement.

[@sailasavakalala8660]

The officer recruit,Mr Thompson who'd chosen the Paras......my late father served with the Parachute Brigade in 1 Para(1963-1974) they did Para selection and said he went through hell to earn his Maroon beret and wings. Dad had very high expectations of his officer-physically and mentally that they could do it when the shit hit the fan !!!!! I know dad would be extremely proud of Mr Thompson here for him to wear the Airborne colors!!!!

[@nickmiller21]

Knew a Vakalala in Royal Signals, he did P Coy

[@paulboulter7823]

Harbord should have been discharged from trng..seems like someone who chooses the path of least resistance .polo and beagling to keep fit..says it all!!

[@tidefanyankee2428]

If Harbord would have been at the U.S. military school VMI (Virginia Military Institute) he would have been shown the door for his little stunt with that light pack on the run. VMI has many rules and traditions, but there is one over-riding principle of conduct. "I will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate others who do". Violate that, and you're gone....period. And they don't care if "daddy" is a General, Admiral, Congressman, Senator, or Presidential Cabinet member. His light pack would be considered an integrity violation and would have shown a lack of character. It would have been "goodbye Mr. Harbord, don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out"......

[@tidefanyankee2428]

I never said "more selective" those are your words, don't attribute them to me. I'm saying there is one over riding principle at places like VMI. "I will not lie, cheat or steal, nor tolerate others that do" Period. Open racism? Really? And of course you have proof of this? Sex with a sister? No, no, we're not talking about royal families son. DO try to keep up. W D. Wow, really? Our economy is setting records, and our unemployment is low. You sound angry son....did one of the Muslim's your EU masters told you lot you had to take in steal your girlfriend? I believe the term for you is "wanker". It was your country who made someone like Harbord an officer, speaking of who's country is "fucked" son.....LOL

[@JohnSmith-mu8zo]

@@tidefanyankee2428 is your arse jealous of the amount of shit that comes out of your mouth?

[@tidefanyankee2428]

@@JohnSmith-mu8zo What an idiotic statement on your part....but typical. If you don't have anything relevant to say, you shouldn't post. Better to be silent and thought a fool, than open your mouth and remove all doubt, which you have.

[@nickl6396]

You know hes now a major in the hhc and apparently is an outstanding officer

[@callumsmith683]

I can't wait until I apply for Sandhurst! Being an officer is my dream job.

[@jamesadams7600]

Same

[@callumsmith683]

How old are u? We might apply in the same year!

[@jamesadams7600]

13

[@callumsmith683]

Oh I'm 17😄

[@jazzt3839]

Callum Smith when are you applying?

[@managainsttime-g7v]

After reviewing the previous comment I have come to a conclusion on what my comment will be. Thompson is good.

[@mechanicalturk5202]

Seriously, cheating? The whole point is to prepare you to lead soldiers, keeping them alive. Fucking disgraceful.

[@LadyGigglesnort]

I joined up in 1988. Unfortunately I was medically discharged. My wish was to pass out, get to Lance Cpl and then go to officer training. And then back to training to train the new ones

[@Tricky850]

as soon as that girl mentioned communism everyone in the room was like nooooo

[@tedm6894]

Thompson is a fucking top bloke. Gets in the para's and rings his ex thanking for support. Shit, man should be PM let alone para.

[@Tommy.L4ng]

Thompson what a lovely lad he all the best qualities

[@cambs0181]

Love the riot shield training. Reminds me of the NAAFI at Brize Norton when the Paras use to come out for a quiet pint.

[@MegaSammydude]

Who else saw the csm from guarding the queen in the selection board?

[@davearnott8090]

Steve Munro. Left as Captain QM.

[@kylearmstrong3935]

There seems to be a lot of armchair experts in these comment threads

[@downlink5877]

I'd be surprised if even 1% of the people commenting on military videos on KZbin have served in any nation's military

[@cambs0181]

Yep typing is their contribution to society.

[@justinford8548]

Well as a former serving soldier, and 1990 gulf war vet i have to disagree. Most people‘s opinion on hazard is spot on !!

[@gooner72]

Always is mate.....

[@hutch1111111]

5 days restrictions of privileges? No pudding son.

[@tooyoungtobeold8756]

He had to drink his champagne out of an old army boot.

[@1337flite]

Restrictions of Privileges is a serious punishment in the Australian Army and I suspect the same for the British Army given the common heritage and roots. (Not that that oriificer didn't deserve ROPs_. ROPs sounds like you're not allowed to watch telly after dinner, but in reality you are awake and working before everyone else, you work until mid evening (so 5am -10am duty), you do at least 3 inspections a day, a couple of hours of drill, and then you have to get your kit ready for those 3 inspections - so you get 3-4 hours sleep at best. And there's always some prick you have to report to. Oh and you sleep outdoors and often they'll give you ration packs instead of real food. I've been to the Defense Force Correctional Establishment and I've done ROPs. I found DFCE probably easier.

[@mwnciboo]

Cava only... No Champagne.

[@hutch1111111]

@@1337flite I was in the Canadian Armed Forces and restrictions were not fun. Sleeping in the "closet" in the barracks, parade/ 8 times a day, inspection of your quarters/uniforms....I actually hated being the duty knob you had to make sure your turnout was immaculate haha...that scuff on the boot ot wrinkle would not do!

[@GooglyEyedJoe]

25:17 - Probably not the best thing to say in a British Army interview considering the officers in front of you more than likely served during the Cold War and were brought up to view the Soviets as "the bad guys".

[@redbaron6305]

You probably would think that!..but you would be wrong,the British armed forces value thinkers and people that can speak their mind,they are not afraid of other peoples ideas or beliefs,i speak from experience as an ex soldier and nco,they don't want robots,who say what they think you want to hear!

[@dogguy8603]

@@redbaron6305 so you would be cool with a neo nazi serving with you?

[@xclonejager6959]

Yes they value thinkers, not university Champagne socialists

[@GeorgejamesB01]

@@xclonejager6959 she wasn’t a socialist at all, she worked on Bojos mayoral campaign

[@alejandrocruzmonfort3918]

Excelente producción televisiva, típica de quien proviene: BBC, y me exime de mayores comentarios. He observado, sí, las similitudes en la formación de los cadetes (aunque no en esas 44 semanas; las nuestras se van a 5 años para formar un Oficial del Ejército); las reacciones a la presión me han hecho recordar experiencias muy conocidas por mí. Mis felicitaciones.

[@jennygore9833]

The old boys club still going strong

[@dantecamarda3976]

50:02 that's Cpt. Munro of the Grenadier Guards from Guarding the Queen! What a guy, I love his humour.

[@romaiobrown-senior8602]

Knew he looked familiar! Didn’t know he commissioned tho

[@MsBigjmk]

posh people saying some bird sound so wrong

[@johnprescott8361]

im fairly sure that berk was only allowed to continue with training cos his upper class matched fella who said he could stay...

[@JohnSmith-mu8zo]

I would like to point out that even though there are evidently problems w nepotism and class divide here, it is just a tv show with a narrative it wants to show taking months of training down to 3 hours

[@user-lf3wr8rh7r]

"Don't want to ask a stupid question " your going to find out the hard way sir!

[@bigjohn697791]

if your going to be a bear why not be a grizzly bear lol.....

[@eganmacegan3724]

hard to believe they showed this. I know a 'man' broke his leg on the jump, shared his kit amongst his stick and completed a 10 miler to the RV. Said he couldnt be damned being back squadded.

[@jennylast3149]

Looks like Sandhurst have it spot on. A leader of men is their job and they have it just right, proud to be a Brit knowing we have these guys as our front line protectors.

[@freedomatlast8756]

You British. 😔

[@freedomatlast8756]

@Michael Evans Lucky me! ☘

[@snowflakemelter1172]

If the army recruited from KZbin comments we would have a whole regiment of Rambos.

[@ewan9849]

I'm assuming you're upper class by your name?

[@jameswilliam2708]

Anyone looks like Rambo by comparison to Harbord

[@sirthawkz7488]

Does make me wonder if the British Army 'officer class' has truly moved on from connections being more important than actual ability. Seems that no matter how bad you perform at Sandhurst, if you're a confirmed cadet because 'daddy' is in the regiment then you're set for life. Woeful and frankly makes a mockery of us to say we have the finest army in the world. Hope the top brass watched this series and realised this.

[@kylearmstrong3935]

SirThawkz this is only the case with the household division, they typically like to leep the elitist way of officership. Think back to how officers were during the peninsular war era and thats how the household div is. They are a bunch of elitist fucks who get in on being rich or a legacy. Any enlisted bod worth his salt knows who a good officer his and i daresay when he gets to his reg the guys will be able to tell straight away.

[@TheKidJswizzY]

Spot onnnnn

[@itsweb1584]

Can you imagine going into battle with that weakling?

[@aldershot5100]

He would have accidentally been shot by his own men .

[@nevs8997]

Moustache? Mustang That was the joke.

[@nevs8997]

Moustache? Mustang Why are you repeating what he just said then?

[@nevs8997]

Moustache? Mustang Cool story bruh

[@nevs8997]

Moustache? Mustang 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

[@amimrie]

Most, nearly all Guards Officers are decent blokes, of course if the nearest you've been to service is You Tube, then you don't really have any comment to make. BRB 2SG

[@L3gionMusic]

I would absolutely love to do that riot training.

[@acebrown7619]

Believe me, you would not, trust me

[@brianconnolly8769]

I've done it plenty of times.. It's great fun being the baddies 😆

[@mushogi]

@@brianconnolly8769 As a decorator worked in Windsor Barracks in 80s, got invited to join the rioters and it was brutal but good fun.

[@ironhand9096]

They specially teach the Ruperts not to be able to read maps.

[@cambs0181]

Give them Sat navs now. Turn left and in 300 yards you will reach the enemy!😂

[@jaxxoceans3866]

Break them so you can remake them! A awful hard exhausting process but once ur remade ur a better stronger person. It's actually a privledge to endure and overcome it. Well done to them all.

[@geordielassie1]

Thompson is a spot on guy! I'd have no problem serving as a soldier under his leadership, I'd feel safe, harbord on the other hand I'd know from the first deployment I was going to die under his leadership!

[@IslandWork1]

From what I’ve heard he is a superb troop commander in the Household Cavalry (Captain) and even sued the BBC for this character attack. Other OC’s in this documentary even said the editor making this was against the upper class.

[@davebond7380]

Not many working class accents

[@jimsy5530]

Thomson is a bit of class, even though he doesn't sound it. Tremendous.

[@empire-classfirenationbatt2691]

It's 2019 now... I hope they were all successful in their lives after Sandhurst. Thompson was a born leader, Aldridge was stupid but it works so it's not stupid and Harbord was a good lad but not there physically however rose to the occasion later on which I can respect.

[@sophierutter3937]

If one of then needed to work on his fitness how did he get into Sandhurst in the first place??

[@turdmuffin1207]

I got in because I have a huge penis.

[@tidefanyankee2428]

Sophie Rutter, I was thinking the same thing. Don't they have a physical fitness test they have to pass prior to the beginning of training?

[@debaterofeverythingpresent2775]

I got entry there from application

[@tidefanyankee2428]

Turd Muffin, so you were a foreign officer candidate then.....

[@kylearmstrong3935]

Yes there are entry test but they arent set that high as “civilians” are joining. Im a former physical training instructor in the british army and as such the PT that i used to deliver in accordance with queens regulations was in laymans terms designed to keep you ticking over. Military PT is designed to keep you at your current level of fitness. If you want to get fitter then you pull your finger out and train in your own time, which coincidentally his training staff urged this 10 percenter to do frequently.

[@camefaceh8380]

By all accounts Harbord was an exceptional squadron commander and well liked by his troops; he ended up as one of the youngest majors in the army before leaving. Almost like the editor had an agenda…

[@davidmorris1735]

Yep. All true. Everyone liked him...

[@1copperfly]

I call B.S. on the women grads, the men are held to a higher standard. No question.

[@jesseblack5812]

Men and women have to comply to the same standards.

[@allenomalley4014]

No they didn’t not when I was in the army not judging just the way it was

[@louisdowle8051]

52 hours no sleep light weights

[@jcrawley1]

The bloke at 50:01 was in the Grenadier Guards doc as well

[@laidlaw3]

CSM steve monroe

[@janvanmulders1182]

Isnt this a scandal that a guy like Harbord is allowed to graduate and is supposedly ready to lead men in battle? He was physically weak, did not demonstrate any leadership skills, cheated in his run (huis pack 7 kg light and then the commander saying with a straight face that he believed it was not deliberate).’ Such class injustice...

[@YaBoiJeff24]

If you have a look at the documentary again you'll see that he actually was sent back to do over parts of his training.

[@drewdk6374]

As much as I am glad we have Sandhurst and the best Army Officers in the world, I feel that with enough experience in combat, a regular soldier could do what an Officer does but ten times better. You won't learn combat and survival from a classroom desk.

[@immortallvulture]

+Drew DK just like you won't learn resource management and how to give orders from inside a trench. its a completely different job. there are quite a few soldiers who go from the ranks to become officers. and they do well because they understand the job and they've got the experience. but the guys who go straight to sandhurst will have that same experience once they're a few years in. besides if every officer was bought up from the ranks we'd never have enough on them. we'd also miss out on the smartest because they'd never want to spend four years in the ranks waiting to go for officer selection when a private company offers double the money for half the work

[@downlink5877]

Not really

[@MrOdsplut]

+immortallvulture Spot on.

[@tidefanyankee2428]

I'm curious, why or how can you say you have the "best Army Officers in the world"? What do you base that on? I get that every country has pride in their military, as they should. I'm just curious how arrived at the conclusion, that the UK has the best? I'm sure the UK has some outstanding officers, no doubt. I could see his men only following that Household Calvary officer (Harbord I believe) out of morbid curiosity, and then they would probably have to slow down and wait for him....

[@tidefanyankee2428]

***** By whom? What criterion did they use? I have no doubt those from the UK feel/think that, and it would be understandable. But the "best"? That would be a matter of opinion unless you can give some concrete evidence of that. Correct me if I'm wrong, but are you saying your Royal Marine Officers aren't on par with the Army officers? Please excuse me if I have this wrong, but do the RM Officers attend Sandhurst?

[@chadofmercia2448]

I see people take the mick out of Harbord but to be honest he is the ideal officer. In particular for the Household division. Officers of privilege are perfect for the ceremonial roles. I hope he is having a good career and is successful in the Life Guards.

[@jameskenyon5524]

28:25 he lights the cannon aiming at the guys...

[@reccerat4446]

Major General Marriot was a Sqn leader in my old Regiment, his brother was also serving. Always a fair man, in fact so fair he would regularly give me 14 days ROPs. One of the two live in Kenya. Many memories of young Ruperts coming to the Regiment, some good some bad, some got a punch on the nose round the back of the wagon! All good fun.

[@steveyogilmore5314]

I never met a bad officer in the short four years that I served.

[@allenomalley4014]

I agree thought they was sound really

[@williamdufour4826]

Outstanding tradition!

[@heatpump8566]

The ex sparky was the stand out candidate for me. Fantastic

[@hamishomahony9336]

"The log race has no correlation to any military activity" the log race is based on ammo runs to different fighting positions, obviously officers wouldnt know anything about that

[@finnstralian]

"the breaking strain of a soggy kit-kat".

[@stephenkedge6805]

Fair play to Eldridge...Not many people can single handedly scare off an entire Army regiment. If they cant deal with Eldridge, I am not sure what the AAC is going to do when it all kicks off with the Russians.

[@tonykennedy5522]

hahaha. I know right. In the first episode, she was talking about how she admired Maggie Thatcher and I was like "oh, good character" then out of nowhere, she basically admits she's a communist and Lenin was a bit of a wet. hahaha

[@GeorgejamesB01]

@@tonykennedy5522 she was never a communist, arch Tory. Worked for Bojo on his mayoral campaign. She was just making an objective point about communism, lennin did go on a bit of a mad one and distorted what communism was. Anyone with any knowledge of political theory knows that. She, as I do, still probably thinks it’s a God awful thing but has just made an objective point. If anything it illustrates she’s quite a bright girl who doesn’t let her own biases cloud her judgement, she was probably trying to provide a bit of balance. The only thing she’s guilty of is being rather naive.

[@chohawk1]

38:30 .... Is it just me or does this guy shockingly look like Bear Grylls?! *(O_O)*

[@importantname]

On the pysche test - where is the part that assesses "Warrior Spirit"? The militaries primary role surely is War - where Warriors live. Peace keeping, trooping the colour, the parade ground are surely secondary skills and traits.

[@Bunters196]

53:10 dat Northern Irish quick march doe

[@TomWGraphics]

Now that's a good drill voice!

[@joelangley7974]

50:00 that bald guy talking was in another documentary about the grenadiers, guarding the queen I think it was called

[@doddles4049]

He was the CSM wasn’t he

[@joelangley7974]

Doddles I think so yeah

[@turdmuffin1207]

Harbord. You are the weakest link. Goodbye.

[@orathaifreby2287]

Freedom Country that good so much dear Thanks again

[@deplorabled1695]

Great - we now have young women in the military who have a fondness for communism and Lenin.

[@thithiemtran2711]

Toi cam on phap luat ebi my xin cam on cac anh cac chi rat nhieu vi khong quan gian kho ngay dem giup toi tim lai cong bang cho chong toi ru anh con song hay chet doi nay kiep nay tinh yeu em chi danh 1 minh anh em yeu anh nhieu lam hon anh hon anh

[@milk.1394]

24:58 Lmao the look on the majors face XD "stfu Elizabeth! Shut....the fuck....up!"

[@orathaifreby2287]

Nice to see i like that very good thanks you my dear friends Marine's Soldier's

[@harrygardiner5401]

My geography teacher was in this intake

[@AlphaBravoCheeseCake]

Harbord is now a Major and probably because of his father and not due to his soldiering ability which is at about the standard of that required for entry into the Women's own Auxillary ballon corp

[@obisan666]

That was quite harsh