"No They Won't Sir" ... GSM puts commanding officer right!

This is after the arrival of HM Queen Elizabeth at The Scottish Parliament on Edinburgh's Royal Mile in October 2021.
The Guards are being drilled by a commanding officer who was reminded by Tony Gibson, Garrison Sergeant Major for Edinburgh (aka "The GSM") of the sequence of movements!
Nice one Tony!

[@Pipmeistershaft]

As a young and inexperienced officer, I was the 'officer on parade' leading a passing out parade. The inspecting officer, a General, walked towards me to take my salute and I noticed that the top button on his tunic was undone. Without hesitation, I said "you are improperly dressed sir. The top button on your tunic is undone." He immediately corrected his dress and, following the exchange of salutes, inspected the troops. I was sure that I was about to get a blast from my CO and RSM, but, in fact, received a wonderful letter from the General thanking me for my initiative! I still have the letter to this day...... and have been retired a long time.....

[@TomFynn]

Probably anecdotal, but: A young US Lt during some course was given the task to set up a flagpole. After the allotted time he presented his examiners with a plan that would set up that flagpole in record time with minimum resources. He was told that the answer was incorrect. When he inquired what the correct answer was, he was told: "Sergeant, put up that flagpole there. Take as many men as you need. If you want me, I'm in my office."

[@wargey3431]

That’s a good General my corporal at phase one said if I’m improperly dressed pick me up but make sure I actually am

[@fintonmainz7845]

Sad life

[@fuzzy9294]

Great story. That officer was unwittingly disrespecting the whole parade so he appreciated you pulling him up. When I was in the military there was a great deal of mutual respect between ranks. When you salute an officer or "strek" an NCO smartly and they return it smartly the respect is going both ways. I believe this is a major difference with the Russian military, all their NCO's are wannabe officers whereas our NCO's are proud to be NCO's and wannabe Sergent Majors. If an officer or an NCO or officer disrespects you unjustly your RSM or OC will back you up. The military have a special way of F'ing you up, you hate it while it is happening but you boast about it afterwards. (don't know English for strek, like a salute but arms stay at the side).

[@wargey3431]

@@fuzzy9294 bracing up we call it only rendered to Warrant officers unless your a recruit in training then it is rendered to all soldiers not in training

[@A.Mardle]

"The only reason that soldiers would follow this officer is out of curiosity to see what he'll do next."

[@b.elzebub9252]

Oh shit, that's hilarious!

[@sirmalus5153]

They would want to see what he does with a map and MAYBE a compass at the same time.

[@GordonHouston-Smith]

@@sirmalus5153 Who in their right mind lets an officer see a map?

[@DaGahbageMan]

@@sirmalus5153 "Now yew cut that fence and git this goddamn platoon on the move!"

[@RoninTF2011]

Yeah, exactly the text of my last evaluation: "His men would follow him everywhere...but mostly out of a morbid sense of curiosity."

[@iatsd]

Ah, yes - exercise in Germany in the late-80's, freshly minted as an officer: "What do you recommend, sergeant?" "I recommend you give an order, sir, so we can be getting on with things." "Right. Mount up, lads. We'll be advancing in staggered line towards the crestline and engage the enemy if we see th....." "Not that order, sir. Try a different one, sir." "We'll be advancing in column towards the crest where I shall dismount and have a look, and we'll go from there." "Much better, sir."

[@LALopezWei]

This gave me a good laugh! That's great.

[@matwetton]

That's a good Sgt and a good lt. Know your limitations

[@montybrewster7]

Haa haaaa, brilliant. Training is no subsitute for experience.

[@mline250]

Most people don’t realise it but that is exactly the relationship between a Platoon Commander and Platoon Sergeant. Brilliant example. Both professional and respectful.

[@ComfortsSpecter]

Adorable Vibe Great moment

[@HappyBear376]

Lt knows he's had it when a Sgt says "A word please Sir".

[@johnnunn8688]

Even more so when it’s the GSM. (WO1)

[@SilentHotdog28]

@@johnnunn8688 It's funny when a fresh CO is giving an order and a veteran NCO "suggests" that they rethink the order. From what I've heard, a good CO listens to their NCOs, even if you go against their advice.

[@DonWan47]

@@SilentHotdog28 CO means something very different in the British Army than the US. A CO commands a battalion or regiment, everyone else is an OC, officer commanding. If the CO speaks every NCO listens.

[@JoshB1690]

@@DonWan47The Commanding officer would have give them their left turn order before putting them into the correct rifle marching formation (sloped) so it was a good observation from the SNCO to correct the mistake before it was carried out👍🏻

[@DonWan47]

@@JoshB1690 What are you talking about? I’m talking about the term “commanding officer” not drill movements.

[@kestrel5065]

I remember being told by the RSM "No sir we are not going to do that" and we didn't 😂🇬🇧

[@mantabond]

The RSM/GSM may be compared to the Master of Liturgy, who, even as a priest, is able to correct bishops, cardinals, and even the Pope during liturgical celebrations.

[@1anre]

Is it a punishable offence to disobey an order on parade ?

[@lmaoroflcopter]

​@@1anreIts not disobeyance. It's informing the officer that the men are not ready to perform that action. As a senior NCO whilst rank confers responsibility and overall authority to the commissioned officer, the senior NCO has the experience and is there to facilitate the orders given by the commissioned officer. If an order given is incorrect or not of proper order, it is the Senior NCOs duty to inform the officer of such. Good commissioned officers respect the knowledge and experience of their NCOs.

[@mantabond]

Not if the order itself is against parade procedure.@@1anre

[@carlteacherman194]

@@1anre Yes, our RSM had a big brown labrador dog, which once strolled nochalantly across the parade ground after being told "SIT". He promptly odered it to the guardroom under escort! 😂

[@CTID-9320]

As a young Grenadier, I did a guard of honour for President Mitterrand’s state visit in the early 80’s. In those days the guard would have an early morning rehearsal to make sure everything was in place and nothing was missed. During the rehearsal we were given a shoulder arms order and to my absolute horror my SLR carrying handle got stuck under my greatcoat sleeve and I was out of sync with the rest of the guard. In an instant the late great Alec Dumont who was a legendary GSM shouted in a volcanic voice “young man if you do that this afternoon, I will take that rifle off you and bash it over your head”! A moment of utter embarrassment and shame that I still remember as if it was yesterday. 😊😊

[@RalphBrooker-gn9iv]

Great dit. I was infantry. I recall standing at the shoulder arms with the SLR during RSM’s inspection or for the parade itself. As you know for the should arms the SLR was simply held by the right hand. No other part of the body supported the weight. In sub-zero temperatures, waiting there for ages for the present arms the whole arm goes dead. I hated all that stuff except for trooping our Colour. 😊

[@dc-4ever201]

Couldn't shout that at them these days, might hurt their feelings 😂.

[@thodan467]

@@dc-4ever201 if you need to shout you should not be there

[@SAR1967Medic]

What shout? That was his normal speaking voice. Got it from 'es Mum e did...​@@thodan467

[@bencowie3141]

Don’t you mean macron

[@Razman-xm3ib]

Being able to inflect the word "Sir" to mean everything from " you're a bloody idiot" to " my God, that plan is genius" is part of the job description.

[@davey1602]

As you say sir :D

[@Razman-xm3ib]

@@davey1602 Yeah. 👍🏻

[@s.m.8691]

⁠​⁠@@davey1602@Razman-xm3ib I genuinely needed a smile today. You guys did it! From an ole lady. Thank you for the humor and sass.

[@teecee1567]

Heard on the first day of officer training at Sandhurst.. RSM to platoon of young officers. "From now on, I will call you sir and you will call me sir. The difference being, YOU WILL MEAN IT"!

[@GordonHouston-Smith]

Ahhh, RSM Lord. Another attributed to him was "The seniority is as follows. God, Her Majesty the Queen and me, though not in that order.

[@teecee1567]

@@GordonHouston-Smith A breed apart, alright!

[@JaEDLanc]

The old ones are the best, I joined in 1981 and my dad told me that one before I joined.

[@grantwalker4859]

When I was stationed at Colchester 16AAB (2002-2005) I watched a rugby match between 2 & 3 Para. Also that day it happened to be an RSM last week in the military and was given the grand job of being the sponge and water boy. During the match one of the players got injured right next to where I was standing. Whilst lying on the ground the shout went out for the sponge guy. Next thing I see is the RSM running down the touchline with his bucket and then kneel down next to the injured player. Instead of getting the sponge out, the RSM looks at the player and in a very loud whisper, which only RSM’s can master, said “get up ya c**t”. To which the player jumps up, says “Sir” and then runs back on to the pitch. Those within earshot pissed themselves laughing and the RSM ran back to his waiting area!! Brilliant 😂😂😂

[@SilentHotdog28]

That is fanfuckingtastic, I love it :D :D :D

[@Schos456]

Hilarious 😂😂

[@markp5519]

Love it

[@tbrasc0]

Error politely pointed out, error then corrected. That's good teamwork and why we have the finest soldiers in the world.

[@numanoid5665]

I beg to differ on your second point, 34 years service here, WO1 rank, and no ...not in your army !

[@tbrasc0]

@@numanoid5665 each to their own.

[@TheWizardOfTheFens]

@@numanoid5665I’m not a guardsman, never been a guardsman, never aspired to be either.BUT, as a 17 year Royal Green Jacket veteran, I have to agree with all of the points of the op. Especially the latter.,

[@numanoid5665]

@michaelpezzullo3591 I was (ans and still am for another 2 months) WO 1 rank. Not Brit army, and let me tell you, I could speak my mind to all commissioned ranks, I had no problems letting them know when they were out of line, and unfortunately, that was often enough. But that was my job

[@Heidelager]

Dick.... every army thinks the same thing. Even when they lose battles, they still think they are the finest soldiers because they died well. :)

[@Jazzman-bj9fq]

You don't mess with the Sergeant Major, don't care who you are. Love the sound of the hobnail boots marching. Looking great boys!!!

[@vk2ig]

In a well-run unit, messing with the Sergeant Major means messing with the OC / CO.

[@doughesson]

Junior officers sometimes have to learn that lesson the hard way.

[@sid2112]

I worked for the DoD in the 1990s and I've seen Sergeant Majors at 50 years old knock 19 year olds senseless without even breaking stride. With junior officers I would sometimes sit on my civilian laurels and explain my job. With a NCO, I would shut up and listen because they always had a practical reason for what they were saying.

[@jpe115]

they are not hobnail they are called Ammo Boots, [The term "Ammunition boots" is a generic term for these heavy, studded ankle boots, which were produced in a variety of patterns. The name supposedly comes from the boots' being historically procured by the Master Gunner and the Munitions Board at Woolwich (the Regiment of Artillery's headquarters) rather than Horse Guards (the headquarters of the British Army), and being of 'ammunition quality.]

[@wargey3431]

@@vk2igand often an officer messing around the soldiers normally means if you have a good Sergeant Major messing him around which means you’ve messed the OC around

[@denpobedy7881]

always consult and listen to your senior NCOs. I was an officer and my brother was an SNCO. I had very productive discussions. We were both successful.

[@fuzzy9294]

I read that a big difference between Russian and NATO forces is the role of the NCO's. After school I was a private conscripted in the SADF in he 70's. I can't remember interacting with an officer. Some of our NCO's had served as ground crew with 3 Squadron Flying Cheetahs in Korea, absolute legends. God was spelt RSM.

[@tatumergo3931]

​@@fuzzy9294. Yes you're right about that. The soviet military did away with all the European military traditions in which officers usually came from the upper class. The Russian federation has continued in the same pattern, a linear rank structure in which corporals & sargents are the first ranks attained. Unless you come from the university or are a graduate of a military academy, in which case you will enter as a lieutenant. Their NCOs are selected before enlistment to become NCOs, therefore they don't have neither the experience nor the professionalism of western counterparts. Since and NCO is the most senior professional enlisted man. We can easily see the results of that type of system in the results of the current conflict...

[@1anre]

Some examples of conversations you had and questions you asked him will be great

[@wargey3431]

@@fuzzy9294 as an Englishman I can confirm RSM is spelt G O and D no one not even the colonel can make a decision if the RSM thinks it is wrong

[@fuzzy9294]

@@wargey3431 When I was in there the language of the SADF was Afrikaans but the culture and traditions was close the British as far as I know.

[@bushmasterflash]

That is one of the things your experienced SNCOs are for. Keeping you right when you are about to make a cockup. He made GSM for a reason.

[@RAFASOP]

In Saxa Vord we were having a AOC inspection and march past. The officer in charge turned his back to us and after a slight pause whispered ' Are you at shoulder or order arms?' Someone replied back 'Shoulder Arms Sir'. Just as well he asked otherwise he would have given the order 'Shoulder ARMS' and no one would have moved. Dont know if any other officer picked up that we should have been at Order Arms for the inspection. We all kept stum.

[@heli-crewhgs5285]

‘SCHTUM’

[@BB-sm8ey]

It's pronounced "schtum" in English, but the correct spelling is "Stum". Guess what, it's a German word that means "silent".

[@theislerider9513]

​ Correction.. STUMM... is the German writing.. but the Wort RUHE !! .. or RUHIG !!.. will people make people silence, too.. Best greetings Berlin 🇩🇪

[@paulworgan6599]

It must be incredibly difficult to be a junior officer unless you’ve come up through the ranks you are at the beginning of your military career potentially having to command men with decades of experience I wouldn’t have the confidence.

[@ratscabies8458]

My son was an officer straight from Sandhurst at 21 and I ask him about this. The experienced NCOs help the young officers as they are so green. In return the young officers respect the the older NCOs to the the point where the NCOs don’t have to address the officers as Sir instead they use Boss as a much less formal address. The respect the NCOs have for the new officers, ( in the most part ) that have gone through a tougher selection process and the responsibility they carry is reciprocal and not uncommon for NCOs to be able to earn some slack and favours now and again. A system of trust and respect that works extremely well.

[@Subtleknife12367]

It isn't particularly difficult if you have a good head on your shoulders. What this comment section fails to mention is the Lt and SNCO relationship is often symbiotic. The SNCO helps the new officer with military matters allowing them to learn the ropes. In turn, the officer, is usually (not always) better educated and can aid his SNCO with more academic matters such as writing reports. The key part is neither should show the other up in front of the men. I'm not referring to the video, thar was the correct call. What I mean is if the officer makes a mistake (and it isn't life threatening) then the SNCO should have a quiet word with the officer and help educate him. On the flip side, the officer should make sure things like reports etc are to a good standard and pick up any errors such as spelling before others see them. That is my experience anyway. You have each others backs, help each other and create an environment where the soldiers you are commanding can thrive.

[@paulworgan6599]

@@Subtleknife12367 sounds good, just out of interest do officers have “ Batmen” anymore 😂

[@peterevans8194]

There are good and bad junior officers and sometimes it comes down to their attitude and how they treat the soldiers....But even as a lowly Tom, you can make a junior Officers life miserable at times. We had one 2nd Lt would was a right stuck up pr*ck and treated the junior ranks like crap. So we would follow his orders to the letter even if we knew they were wrong, and show him up...He was our Troop commander, and sadly I was his driver...On exercise he always expected people to cook his rations for him, so we would do as he asked, and then start sniggering and chuckling as he ate it; he was convinced we were tampering with it to the point he became really paranoid! lol

[@rcn9910]

@@ratscabies8458 I can tell you that in my experience as an SNCO any respect and guidance we give to a junior officer is through professional obligation (not because they've been through Sandhurst). But it is true that an officer's best asset is a capable and experienced SNCO.

[@TheMugenmunster]

Classic case of Sir this may be your company, but these are MY soldiers.

[@fuzzy9294]

I was standing on officers parade formed up by our Regimental Sergent Major (RSM) waiting for him to hand over the parade. The officer was late but we could actually seem him approaching when the RSM dismissed the parade. What a legend.

[@dphilp75]

LOL!!! And in my experience in the Canadian Army, that Officer was almost certainly extremely apologetic for wasting the RSM's time...!

[@Windsorguards]

Great thanks to Tony Gibson for giving the nice order to the poor Lieutenant.

[@denpobedy7881]

had a sr. nco tel me as a new 2nd lt. that I was training to be a leader and that the NCOs were the caretakers of our unit and men. Kudos, MSGT Reade.

[@Echo30Mike]

I was a Scaley in basic training in 91, and I remember drill practice for our passing out parade and for the first time we had fixed bayonets. I did my slope-arms, and took a chunk out of my ear. I had blood all down the left side of my shirt. I was not the only one this happened to that day. We never ever did that again. Gladly, it is the only time I'll ever be on the business end of a bayonet.

[@martynharper]

Also as a former scaley, passing out in '96 at ATR Bassingbourn, one of our lads did this and to give him his due he didn't move a muscle until after the parade and blood was streaming down his neck..

[@Scipionic1941]

Brilliant. I wish I’d had a bloke like that working for me. Might have avoided a few mistakes.

[@The-Last-Englishman]

What was the mistake?

[@Scipionic1941]

@@The-Last-Englishman

[@karenalletson9767]

We had the same thing. When preparing to set off to Parade our Colours through London, The CO gave the Order Right Turn before shoulder arms. He was a little confused whilst the Battalion didn't move.

[@christophertipton2318]

I'm sure the troops had had trick pulled on them intentionally by some NCO. I know we did in US Marine boot camp and the results were dramatic and painful.

[@Subdood04]

No they won’t Sir. Most excellent GSM!

[@terryweatherford5070]

Had a Major stand in front of a formation of brigade drill sergeants and gave the command: “Ok everyone let’s go this way, follow me march.” No one moved except the silly ass Major who turned and stepped off down the road. When he realized he was alone he yelled back: come on guys, you know what I meant.” SGM took over the formation at this point. Later gave the Major a full-on ass chewing in front of the Bde commander.

[@TomFynn]

Saw a doc once about a British Army unit in NI during The Troubles. At one point the company OC drilled his troops for some upcoming "big do". He gave an order, realized it was not the order he wanted to give and corrected himself. That done, he turned to his aide and said "Make a note, I owe the officers mess a box of champagne."

[@seanjoseph8637]

Behind every RSM and Warrant badge is an enormous character.

[@stevemercer5769]

Being a Sgt Maj is the finest job in the army IMO - so much so, that at the end of my 22 years service I refused a commission from the ranks because it would have been a massively retrograde step to go from WO1 to Lt, simply to preserve my service and would have sullied a career I loved

[@rickyb5499]

GSM Tony Gibson, I’ve had the pleasure of his leadership, REMT 2022. A phenomenal Warrant Officer, soldier and a man among men. Total respect Sir 🙏🇬🇧

[@allanlock4561]

Is that you Tony 👀 😳

[@pweter351]

I worked with a retired RSM of the Australian army. I would tell newbies he was a Sargent in the army and to ask him about it 😂

[@Ralnon]

Ouch - the social equivalent of tossing a grenade into the room……

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

In one of his war memoirs Spike Milligan gave a description of the level of power of each officer from general downwards (the general is allowed to talk to god, whilst the 2nd Lieutenant is allowed to talk to the trees). The RSM is god.

[@eireman51]

Officer's are merely passing through,senior nco's in units are permanent, they are the heart of any unit.

[@dgeerusmc]

Perfectly done. That is how senior enlisted should do it. The number of times a gunnery sergeant subtly and calmly corrected me and saved me from making a fool of myself… true mentorship.

[@K2shadowfax]

That's what the good SNCOs do. If a young officer is lucky to have such men by his side, his future looks much better. Don't forget, many of the Other Ranks (ORs) were people that fell through the cracks during the formative years, thereby interrupting their education; since the explosion of 'Universities' on every street corner, a degree these days is not the same as it was way back when. Also, the experience of SNCOs is a much-valued treasure...if they choose to share it, that is! Look after your horses, your men, your self...in that order; and 'love' your men! That's the drill! Cheers!

[@fbiain9505]

"....a degree these days is not the same as it was way back when....". Sorry, what on earth are you on about? What is your gauge or reference point?

[@s0nnyburnett]

@@fbiain9505 everybody has a stupid degree in something so having a bachelors is now the new GED.

[@aaronleverton4221]

@@s0nnyburnett And your reference point is?

[@fbiain9505]

@@s0nnyburnett "....everybody has a stupid degree in something.....". Could you list some peer reviewed data on that?

[@Drivemap]

That is a fantastic reply, Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@Eric-kv1ip]

Commandant of Canadian military school, with his back to his troops and with much gusto, gives command “Advance in review order by the centre quick march”. On that command band plays and troops march forward 15 paces and automatically halt. Only problem was the order couldn’t be executed as we were still in the “at ease” position. After Commandant arrived at dais and saluted the reviewing officer, we later learned the reviewing officer said to the Commandant “Very nice but would you try that again. But this time bring your troops”. 😊

[@chipfire]

Do you think that’s wise Sir?

[@Bob-Horse]

Wilson, why must you always question it when I give an order?…👍🏻

[@Charlie-hz3tk]

no….that’s Morcambe…..actually said on the Morcambe & Wise Show……back when

[@jimg2850]

kind of respectful and contemptuous at the same time...

[@jpe115]

our RSM told our Platoon commander "you don't swing your fucking arm when you march with a sword!...................SIR!"

[@alan-sk7ky]

So.. has anybody else! got something they'd rather be doing, than Marching Up And Down The square!!

[@strangelee4400]

I've got a book i'd quite like to read...

[@UncleBearShares]

@@strangelee4400 - To be quite honest, Sarge, I'd rather be home with the wife and kids.

[@owensims7491]

WOULD YOU NOW...?!!

[@christopherharmon2433]

There's a game on telly I'd like to watch.

[@jayebyrd9953]

Now that you mentioned it, The General's Daughter has agreed to...well...you know.

[@justintexeira1799]

Someone please correct me if I’m wrong, because drill is not my specialty, but I’m guessing the formation cannot move without their weapons shouldered, correct? Hence the GSM stepping in?

[@tacitplague7079]

Yep has to be shouldered before moving

[@kismit100]

God bless the British army ❤❤❤

[@Gods_messenger_Elijah]

Thou shalt not murder, God hates the British army, the British monarchy, the British government, and He's also fed up with 99% of its people too, as they've gone pagan on Him. An accursed nation.

[@hogpashon]

Thanks Jim that was pretty close. Have great week.

[@Andrew_Barger]

For my fellow American servicemen, this is the equivalent of an E9 telling an 02 to bring the platoon to attention from parade rest before giving a facing movement.

[@EricDaMAJ]

That is SO British Army.

[@mickeymcnaughton2555]

The two men on the sidewalk (to the left and to the rear of the Garrison Sergeant Major) seem to have had a great chuckle over that one 😁

[@WootTootZoot]

Officers, I believe, in alternative dress uniform.

[@mickeymcnaughton2555]

​@@WootTootZoot Cheers. I was thinking that they might have been 😀

[@bitbouqet3302]

And were then out of step. Not done, sirs. Not done at all.

[@pattracey105]

Any subbie that doesn’t listen to his NCO’s earns the title Rupert for life. Many are unaware that the men miss nothing in these situations and deferring to an experienced NCO will earn respect and when the time comes to make it real they will follow you.

[@Robert-sg1mi]

A Rupert being corrected by a more experienced soldier Brilliant I remember when Princess Diana died we where all on the parade square and the commanding officer couldn't even halt properly we expected him to call out halt check one two like we had to in basic training and the RSM ripped him a new one was to funny but thankfully no one laughed or we would have been up on a charge infront of the RSM and would have spent a night in the room with stripey sunshine.

[@tonysansom]

"Stripey sunshine" 🤣

[@hectorheathcote9495]

I couldn't help but hum the "Wicked Witches Guard March" from the Wizard of Oz as they headed out. Had to do it.

[@Frebchie2885]

The GSM was my section commander in training, the most experienced soldier I have met, and pushed me and got me through some difficult times, just made me chuckle.

[@brianlewis727]

This proves that, across the world, lieutenants should be seen and not heard.

[@christimbers2006]

The Rupert is a captain, but it's the Guards so the point still stands 🙂

[@psychoaftershok]

@@christimbers2006 only 2 pips on his shoulder, 1LT.

[@Subtleknife12367]

That would make him a Lt. There is no such thing as a 1Lt in the British Army. The last time that rank was used (and only by a few select Regiments) was in 1871.

[@psychoaftershok]

@knife12367 i know i just put the 1 to distinguish the difference.

[@Blackmafia943]

That’s why you have WOs to put them right😄

[@benkelly2190]

An officer, like a light house in the desert! Bright but fk all use to no one!

[@Red-pm2oj]

Oh I'll have to remember that one!

[@benkelly2190]

@@Red-pm2oj 😂👍🏻

[@1977ajax]

That used to cost the officer champagne for the whole mess - don't know if it still does.

[@williamjardim9711]

Now that really happened to me but the Sergeant Major did not correct me in time. Worst moment of my military life. 😊

[@Gods_messenger_Elijah]

Worse than murdering innocents for money, surely not?

[@esmeecampbell7396]

@@Gods_messenger_ElijahMost people don't do that so....yes, likely the "worst" bit of your career would be a minor faux pas in drill

[@Pugna-cz6gs]

@@Gods_messenger_ElijahExplain when this happened. I’ll wait….

[@norfangl3480]

@@Gods_messenger_Elijah let me guess, you support Russia and Iran?

[@LordVader1094]

@@Gods_messenger_Elijah What a buffoon thinking every soldier has been in active combat, let alone actually killed someone lol

[@gunhojput]

This ex-light infantryman says ''once a woodentop always a woodentop'' the officer was fop but the drill was spot on.

[@madade27]

Two NOT to mess with:...... The Colonel and the RSM!

[@threethrushes]

#3 Adjutant. #4 The staff who maintain the officers' mess. Mess with them at your peril.

[@michaelthompson342]

Thanks to all the commenters who explained the stuff I didn’t understand. I didn’t realise the command error or that the officer was standing with his back to the troops and my small phone screen didn’t clue me in on the GSM standing at left.

[@BasedStreetRacer]

I’m American, went to London once with a friend who used to be stationed at the US London naval station for 6 months. It just so happened when went there, there was one of these exercises (forgive me, I don’t know what the Brits call them) but the troops were standing at attention etc and he’s like “this is awesome” so we stayed. Got to this point and the commanding officer gave the order “FORWARD (brief silence because he knew he screwed it) MARCH”. My friend had the loudest gasp in the small crowd so everyone spun around looked at us, the GSM without a beat “They can’t, SIR”… CO responds “ x COMPANY, SHOW ARMS” and it went without a hitch from then on. An Englishman next to my buddy leaned over “mate, did you serve”… my buddy with his American accent “yeah, for the yankees across the pond” the English guy couldn’t stop laughing. Everyone makes mistakes at some point no matter how perfect you try to be. Edit: deleted “went went”

[@johng9399]

One very embarrassed officer!

[@kevg3320]

Well done Percy. Got there in the end!

[@Vinny86100]

Never forget a RM CS on transfer to us say to a load of officers of my unit during his leaving do. "Your lads are some of the finest I've had and I'd take them into battle with me anywhere. As for you officers, I wouldn't follow you to the NAAFI" For my WO the stories are endless and we would've followed that guy anywhere.

[@carlhurley2456]

With all due respect Sir.

[@georgemorley1029]

Quite polite and quite correct.

[@narcissisticstatement6158]

I kept looking for a long lion's tail to pop out from under a coat. "Oh-Ee-Yah! Ee-Oh-Ah!" kinda thing...

[@jameslyons6655]

The other dynamic is as a senior NCO it sometimes pay to listen to the input of the junior enlisted. I learned early on that there are a lot of very smart people walking around with only one or two stripes and that if they were interrupting me to get my attention before we were going to do something there frequently was a valid reason for them to do so. Good ideas, insight, inspiration, common sense and quick thinking can come from any direction.

[@JeffChase]

We used to have a thing called BRO (Big Red One) time one day a week where we’d dismiss early so soldiers could spend a little extra time with their families. The smart NCOs would go to the snack bar for a couple beers. The junior enlisted knew that that was a time the NCOs could listen to things unofficially. It gave us a good sense of what was on the troops’ minds. Officers knew not to be there.

[@vulgar_scabby_beaver]

Happens all the time with baby zobz, every sergeant has "As you were" on the tip of his tongue ready ro launch.

[@patriot4786]

That "no they wont sir" was like saying to the audience "im more experienced than him although my rank is bellow"

[@SmokingLaddy]

My namesake G-Grandfather was a CSM in WWII, nobody took any crap from him. Had massive hands.

[@PsyCygnet]

Excellent….brought back good memories

[@robnewman6101]

God Bless The British Army.

[@skywolfx76]

Yeah that was practically him saying "hold on, youre forgetting something"

[@billywhizz1656]

had an officer do this on the tower when doing the The Ceremony of the Keys,

[@crackpot148]

I was at Raleigh in RN basic training in 1966. First time on full #1 dress parade a GI (Gunnery Instructors are the RN's drill instructors) gave us a pep talk in the drill shed before being marched out onto the parade ground. He emphasised that we follow our class leader's commands even if they were wrong and we knew they wrong. After our march past the dais where the Commanding officer stood to take the salute we were to wheel right up a slope leading off the parade ground. We were marching in columns of three (I was the rear left hand marker when turned into line fir inspection and therefore front left hand marker when marching in columns of three).When we got to the parade ground exit the class leader gave the command "Left wheel !" so I wheeled left but the rest of the class wheeled right. The Chief GI screamed at me to halt and then, his nose to my nose, proceeded to bawl me out. I said nothing but he then took a half step back and whispered, "I know, son. I'll deal with him later" Class leader and I were made to report to his office that day and he saw us individually. The class leader left having been stripped of his position and I left as the new class leader. When we got back to our hut our class instructor (a petty officer coming up to retirement) was in the middle of loudly bollocking the rest of the class for not following a command even though it had been the wrong command. I cannot fathom to this day why the Chief GI felt the need to bollock me if he knew the wrong command had been given and that I had obeyed that command as I and the rest of my class had previously been instructed to do.

[@Susanmuir2]

Love it!

[@TheCatBilbo]

There's a similar video showing Changing of the Guard at Windsor Castle. The Officer orders a change of arms...& nobody moves! Then he gives the correct order 😊

[@cambs0181]

RSM; Man that runs the Regt. CO; Man who thinks he runs the Regt.

[@artjackson8360]

When they start marching, all I can hear in my head is the chant from Wizard of Oz when the witches guards march.

[@You.are.boring.me.now2024]

The one takeaway from my military service is that the RSM was "God" , "God" was his deputy and anybody pretending to be an officer was not that relevant.

[@DGMotorsportuk]

God has spoken

[@metroplexchl]

Well done!

[@dav01kar]

You need the experienced in all walks of life

[@williamhemmings2879]

And this is why there exists GSM’s.

[@TheC1kabar]

Well done lads. Now jug on!

[@Bonzman]

RSMs backbone of the British army. Respect 🇬🇧

[@Danlows1]

Was the SNAFU that the officer was about to try and make them turn and March to the left, without properly slanting their weapons for the turn?

[@mickeycrilly1839]

Brilliant

[@dogmadogma5398]

Good man !

[@adods9824]

Right, so, trained soldiers will complete all movements required, in sequence, regardless of an incorrect order/command. It's just how it is. I've never seen / heard of this being done, ever. 28 years Australian Army .. 4 Inf, 24 MP

[@mikenow3050]

Great so subtlety British

[@wallymoore1273]

Once at a base parade I was the sgt in charge of the officers platoon. I had them sized, and dressed when the order was given for the platoon officers to fall in. Salutes were exchanged, and repots given. So he says to me, what do I do next. My reply, sorry sir I only read my part. Right turn, dwell the standard pause two three, and march around to the rear.

[@StillAliveAndKicking_]

Fancy everyone having to have the same hair cut, and dyed black too.

[@Johnnyfandango1]

Everything I've heard (definitely no expert here) suggests that the Ukraine war has demonstrated that if you don't have decent NCOs, you don't really have an army at all

[@Comanche1]

The Guards 💂‍♂️ Blues & Royals & Life Guards officers are properly posh...

[@andreimendes8094]

in any country anyone that's ever commanded a platoon commited that mistake lol

[@Ry_guy7]

As an American, I have no idea what was going on for him to say that but I find it funny nonetheless

[@hanovergreen4091]

Yes Sergeant Major!

[@paulritchie5868]

Now where exactly do you think we are sir…😂😂😂

[@Cpt_Sales]

Interesting answer. I serve the Brazilian marines corps for 8 years, and when someone say something wrong during the drill, we simple dont do it. hahahaha It can look kind of embarassing. I wonder which one is the worse.

[@spentacle]

That's him telt !

[@danielw5850]

True, but every 20-something, who's trying their best, needs to learn, surely.

[@hammerheadxray8152]

When given an order by an Officer it's always wise to clarify with your SNCO

[@stevewalsh5956]

Jocks are out of step...

[@dphilp75]

I can confirm this to be accurate for the Canadian Army as well... When the RSM says "No they won't", you can rest assured they won't... LOL