M
Martin Scott
Unregistered
My father was a national serviceman signed on after his two years and became a regular soldier made the rank of Squadron Sergeant Major, in what was then the 3rd Queens Qwn Hussars. Did 23 years 350 days not that he was counting. Have meet many of his comrades over the years some who are no longer with us and they still remember him as a absolute stricter for the rules but very fair.Dusaboss,
I concur that conscription is a waste of time and an unnecessary cost. Better one volunteer than one pressed man. (Press Gangs of old.)
Between 1945/1960 the RM conscripted 9000 men of whom 300 became officers. Most joined the Reserve prior to NS(draft) in order to secure a place. Then O/Rs' had to serve on the immediate reserve for three and one half years. Officers five and one half. Failure to attend reserve service resulted in arrest. Regular continuous service RMs' had to sign on for 9 years with the option of leaving at 7. According to Maj. Gen. Julian Thompson, NS men brought many skills to the Corps and once in Commando Brigade you could not differentiate them. The last RM /NS squad joined in 1962. 12 all former reservists, two para qualified and one already an SBS (R) operator. I wonder what the training team thought about this intake.
The USMC had the draft throughout the Viet Nam era. However I do not know how they fared. USMCRET can no doubt throw light on this.
In the UK conscription was officially 1945 until 1963 albeit some served up to and including e/of 1962, but very few. My info relating to 939 NS Squad was obtained from the March/April Edition 2017 of the Globe & Laurel magazine. Hence fact.