Waterford 1974 – POTS

Annual camp in 1974 was my POTS course. Although we were all pretty busy I managed to take some pictures (but not many). I had worked my way up the ranks at a steady but unspectacular rate, Recruit 1972, Trained man 1973, POTNCO 1974, Instructor Corporal 1975. I took a bit of a rest here and very much enjoyed my next 10 years as an NCO, the last few of which were as acting Sergeant. I think my officer’s course was in 1985 and I will elaborate on why I waited so long to accept the invitations to attend the course in a separate post.

Enough!, so carry on and have a look at the photos of 1974 and some comments thereon.

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R&R and serious fun

One of Alan Kavanagh’s more bizarre games.

R and R is one of those acronyms which seem to have multiple meanings in the military. It seems to be either “Rest and Recuperation” or “Rest and Relaxation”, but in the case of the FCA on annual camp it certainly was Rest and Recreation. It was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon and each evening. In the words of Gerry Paley, at least it kept us out of the pubs until about 9PM.

Photos and more after the break…

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I do not like green eggs and ham.

Is my memory playing tricks on me or did we actually get green eggs, especially boiled at breakfast time in barracks. Army food is of course one of the great oxymorons, along with “Military Intelligence”. As my father would say, “hunger is a great sauce” and so I was always grateful for the grub when it was served up, either in barracks or on the range. Food on the ranges was served out of dixies and probably made the night before. Even today if I leave a tea-bag too long in the cup the smell of over-strong tea brings me back. Some of you moon-faced young men who read Proust (this article is posted on the birthday of Myles na gCopaleen!)  will remember the same effect on him of the smell of madeleines.

More ruminations on food and some photos follow….

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Noel Lyster

Lecture on Discipline

During POTS training it became traditional that on the Thursday when all students were particularly tired and pressurised, an evening lecture on “Discipline” would be arranged and all participants were required to attend in number 1s at 2000 hours. Paddy Whelan would be at the top of the lecture room resplendent in his number 1s and he would begin in very serious tones to deliver the following lecture on “Discipline”.  I have tried to recall the details to the best of my ability but all corrections or clarifications are welcome.

Paddy would “grow out of” anyone caught sniggering explaining that “no one sees me laughing” and “the Minister does not find this funny”. Some of the more assiduous students would begin taking notes.

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Separation of Church and State

When I joined the FCA in 1972 we were all asked what our religion was. Perhaps, being true to the adage “there are no atheists in the trenches”, I declared “Roman Catholic” and had “RC” marked against my name. I suppose one would have wished to have the correct Padre show up when you were dying of your wounds. I think the only alternate designation available may have been “OD” for “Other Denomination”, but it may have been more inclusive. The US army now allows “Atheist/Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster” dog tags. This log contains some rambling memories and photos on a religious theme.

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