Language of the Army

[Alan]

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Hi,

It was a long, long time ago when I was first called up to do my national service. For me it was a very unusual experience because I started off in the Tower of London and I've never forgotten it. Perhaps this is what prompted me to write down what I call The language of the Army

http://www.english-test.net/stories/88/index.html

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[SkiIucK]

Ye good ol' Blighty, eh?

An enjoyable read.

[Cgk]

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Hi Alan,

in basic training, one of the recruits was chewing gum while standing in formation. Needless to say, the Drill Sergeant made him stick the gum into his nostril.
In purgatory (reception battalion) while we were waiting for the vaccinations, another platoon was chatting away as if they were at a family gathering. The Drill Sergeant shouted, "Keep your mouths shut with both hands!" All sixty men between the ages of eighteen and thirty-one sat there on the bleachers, sandwiching their lips between their fingers. It was the funniest sight I've ever seen.

Thank you for the memories. Well done!

Claudia
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In the land of the ignorant, the biggest fool is king.

[OxfordBlues]

Ugh!! Reception battalion had to be the single worst part of the army ever! We called it "hurry up and wait!"
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There's no such thing as an exception to the rule...

My blog: http://calleteach.wordpress.com

[Alexandranow]

Hello,
The army was indeed a scare-crow...Now is not compulsory any more, at least not in my country.
I am happy I am female, so I had not such problems, but my brothers were all telling me lots of weird stories like yours...
Was very funny.
Thank you

[Pasban110]

Poor me! LOL

It's mandatory here! I didn't pass it yet!

[Yuri Yurinov]

Thank you Alan,

I have had an Army experience in my own country. So I am able to understand your feelings.

Good wishes,

Yuri
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Everything is Anything.

Please NO Youtube on "My first steps in English" thread... Yuri Zverev

[Prezbucky]

Alan,

That was neat.

Is it LEFtenant or LIEUtenant in the British forces?

I've seen movies in which British soldiers (characters) pronounced it LEFtenant, but ya can't always trust Hollywood. hehe
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[Alan]

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Hi Prezbucky,

Glad you liked it. We pronounce it LEFtenant.And that reminds me of one of that breed who was so excited at becoming a lieutenant that whenever he met a private soldier, he would salute first before the poor private had completed his salute. And then invariably he dropped his baton. What a prat!

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms

[Prezbucky]

Cool, thanks!

Saluting -- so it should go like this, for example (?):

- Private begins his salute
- Captain completes his salute
- Private ends his salute
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Billie Jean is not my lover. Hee.

[Aiwo]

I am in did pationate about in english. I want to do anything it takes for me to improve my writing. please couldn.t write much in this present of time, because I am very sad about my life. I work very hard to acheive a goal but it is not going essay for me. thanks I am not going to give up bye.

[Shanthisethuraman]

Dear Alan Sir
Thanks for your Essay Sir. Reallly you had explained your expereince and had
enjoyed as a solider doing part of Military Service with a London regiment (Tower).
Your have written "you had been given plenty of advice to behave in the army.
i.e. If you kept your mouth shut and eyes open, that was the secret of becoming
soldier.That advice I want to follow in the forum to become good learner.
i.e.If I keep my mouth shut and eyes open, I can become good learner in the forum.

Thank you

S.Shanthi

[Mitra584]

Dear Alan,
It was an amusing remark and so cool. I was in bad mood when I received essay28, when I read, it made me so laugh and I imagined your poor sergeant when he slide. It was bad for him and worse for you and your confreres.I hope you never have any bad experience like that.
Sincerely yours
Mitra


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Peace&Love

[Zwalsm]

"It is well known as a tourist attaraction but it has quite a different meaning for me." Shouldn't this be attraction?

[Beeesneees]

Hi Zwalsm,

Please check again. The original text says 'attraction', not 'attaraction'.
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Cheers m' dears!