I was also brought up in Sydenham and went to S. Coldfield to join the army c1971. I was offered the infantry ( Royal Fusiliers) due to my lack of education. Told them I prefered the Paras, but at 5'4" was told I wouldn't pass the course. I went home, improved my education and joined the Marines in 1972 aged 16yrs serving for 22yrs.
Bravo Two Zero was the first "grown up" book I read outside of school. I joined the Army 6 months later. I didn't have much of a home life and was 16 at the time going nowhere fast. The army taught me things about life and people that no college, university, book or money could buy. Great interview.
@meme4one ah maaaaan... I totally remember that book, it was a big paperback book with a mainly black front cover if I remember correctly. Not thought of that book in decades!
I read it years ago then again, then I started hearing rumours about it not been true..I just read a book called Soldier one..Forget the guys name, he was also in the group..From New Zealand,he had to battle the MOD in courts but won and released it..He wanted to set the records straight as to what really happened..
As a young Marine on Recce Troop I had the pleasure of hearing McNab present the 'Prone to Capture' lecture detailing his experiences in captivity (this was long before he wrote B20) it was a hell of a lecture! It certainly made me very keen to avoid capture at any point after that.
It was lovely hearing Andy speak. I was fortunate to have a stable family background but reading wasn't really a thing and education was something that we did at school. As an eight year old back in 1977 I was given the box set of the Mike Brogan Action Man novellas for Christmas. They were the first books that I read for pleasure and I read them so much that they eventually fell apart, having to be put back together with sellotape. They instilled such a love of reading that I now have a collection of about 3,000 books.
I met Andy McNab, 10 years ago at my local 'Crisis' centre at our book club. We had a great Q & A meeting with him and he signed copies of his latest book, I still have my signed copy today.
If you're reading this 'Andy' you may remember me from 2 RGJ, 7and 2 Plt. You were reading Tolkein's Lord of the Rings at the time and discussing it with me on an evening in barracks at Tidworth - I think you and I were the only ones not to spend evenings in the pub. But we were council estate kids with poor education. However, the military gave me and you confidence and resilience and belief in ourselves. So when I left the army I went back into education and now have 2 degrees, 2 diplomas and a bunch of O and A levels which would never have happened without my military experiences and the people I met along the way in my early life. Take care
I signed up in 1978, joined a Scottish infantry regiment, no education as I struggled with and hated school. When I turned 18 they started to teach me how to present and teach lessons, it was as if a doorway opened up, loved it !. I would like to see my initial assessment test to see how bad I was LOL.
What a legend, I too grew up abused and uneducated. Scrapped the army entrance test, struggled getting myself through infantry basic training and pass out with the instructors disbelief and disagreement. Served for 22 years, got qualified and educated, don't listen to anyone whose trying to discourage you, if you want it that hard enough you'll get there.
I hated reading and had no interest in books. Then My ex father in law gave me a copy of Bravo Two Zero I couldn't put it down. I was hooked I then raced out to get Chris's (Colin's) book to hear his experience with the patrol. And I couldn't put it down either. Next thing I had a book case full of books. I hadn't read for some time so at the start of the year I said I'm going to get back into reading this year. And the first book I picked up was Seven Troop. Thank you Steve (Andy) for getting me into books.
I have no time for “Andy McNab” nor “Chris Ryan.” I can’t excuse the blame McNab heaps on Vince Phillips for the failure of the mission that McNab led. Why did virtually everyone get a pseudonym but Phillips? Publicly blaming Vince Phillips caused great pain to his surviving family and almost certainly contributed to the suicide of Vince’s younger brother. It’s unforgivable really, especially because, as Michael Asher demonstrated, there is evidence that the accusations around Vince are completely untrue. Steven Mitchell, McNab’s real name, obscured the names of most of the members of his unit except the dead man that he and Ryan blame. It is conveniently difficult for the dead to defend themselves.
I met an ex soilder in a medium secure unit he was ex sas a man called Chris after a few days I got close to him and I was in fascinated with him because I've been reading books about military since I was 7
The guy fought this country and probably done things most couldn't I never asked him why or what he had done but I respect and think about him all the time God bless you Chris hope you have that remote control my man if anyone tries to get hold of it just snap the plastic knife he will get the message
Although I'm non military, my father was in the Wellingtons in the 50's, after hearing his stories, my greatest regret is not joining the forces. I left school in 1976, becoming an electrician, but, there was never any encouragement at school to join the forces, or, any visits from military personnel. Certain school leavers would benefit from military education well in advance of leaving school.
I found out he killed his dad but this guy was so relaxed around him everybody gave him a wide berth but has time went on I realized how calm and disaplined this man was
I was brought up in an inner city council estate where kids leave school with little or no education, I left school without a single qualification to my name and always thought it was because i was thick and stupid but it wasn't until i got older that i realized the failure was within the school system and the inability of teachers to teach well. Since the invention of the internet and the likes of TH-cam i've discovered i can teach myself pretty much anything... The world as they say was my lobster
Anyway I got close to this man who i was fascinated with sas and special forces and ended up having meals together where nobody else was allowed or dared because he wasn't the type of man who would tolerated idiots but I got a good relationship with him i miss him god bless Chris and ill see you again one day Amen 🙏
I was just down the road in Dover (1970) at the Junior Leaders Regt Royal Engineers, I enjoyed every minute of my time there. The difference was I left school with an education and thought that would be the end of it. How wrong I was, I went on to get my O's and A levels and one GCSE in Mechanical drawing while in the JL's. The Education officer called another Junior soldier and myself into his office regarding our exam results and asked if we would be up for going to Sandhurst to train as an officer, we both turned the offer down and carried on to serve as good senior NCO's and get there was more fun. On first leaving the army saw me as a Projects supervisor in a Ceramic fibre company. That was interesting too. Some of the stuff that Andy describes is just how it was for many in Dover, out of my intake of 60 lads only 20 of us passed into to adult service, they either thought it was to hard, was simply not what they thought it would be like or it wasn't the life for them, for others it was on medical grounds.
Aside from home quality of life, the modern day threat to young people and their life prospects is the attention economy or to put that another way devices. The visual media, streaming, and social media fall so far short of what a good book can provide despite their convenience. Getting your child to enjoy and engage with a book is probably the most important gift with the biggest life potential for them. Of cource big tech companies want to get their attention and spending, direct or indirect, because that's their business. Fortunately there are enough different ways to access books and so get access to the majority of human knowledge to enable life long successful and fulfillment.
I was taken into the platoon office in shorncliffe by my platoon commander in 86, he explained judging by my entrance exam results why was I even there and that if I wanted he would start the ball rolling to get me I to sponsored Uni the become officer , I turned this down
Perhaps embellishments were made with Bravo 20 but the important thing is that they went on mission and it was one mishap after another. They tried and the rest doesn't matter so much. I feel bad about Vince though. Fac Et Spera Andy.
I kinda feel much the same but maybe YOU are missing the point here We all do what we have to do to get were we want to be I hated the army But the Royal Navy was were I become a firefighter An that got me eventually to being able to travel I now live in Australia I don't have to be in the sick terrible UK some people want to sit there criticising Others DO and then get out or get to do what THEY want
Did this gentleman contact his old school teachers to apologise for making their low paid lives a misery or send apologies to those students who were keen to learn for the disruption he caused? He was a narcissistic little thug then, and it seems he is a narcissistic big thug now..
Just found out Andy McNabb was in signals I agree he went the wrong way not using pinkies and decided to walk David sterling would of gone in pinkies not decided to walk I mean tab
I apologize I can't really message that good down to head injuries I wanted to join the army but because I was schizophrenic but I think I would of made a good soilder because I don't fear anyone and I'm the kind of person what would fight to the death for king and country
I’m a former 2434 from 1974 - 1998 - 74/14 Cambrai Bks……..A brigadier, many years ago, said that the army was good at taking young people from diminished and poor backgrounds and bump starting them (his words). I was totally ‘unsuitable’ but 24 years later…..He was correct.
I was also brought up in Sydenham and went to S. Coldfield to join the army c1971. I was offered the infantry ( Royal Fusiliers) due to my lack of education. Told them I prefered the Paras, but at 5'4" was told I wouldn't pass the course. I went home, improved my education and joined the Marines in 1972 aged 16yrs serving for 22yrs.
Hoofin!
Falklands then?
Wow you got about as lucky as you can get !
Good effort Royal. 👏👏👏
Bravo Two Zero was the first "grown up" book I read outside of school. I joined the Army 6 months later. I didn't have much of a home life and was 16 at the time going nowhere fast. The army taught me things about life and people that no college, university, book or money could buy. Great interview.
Exactly same for me. That and lofty wisemans survival guide probably helped recruit more troops than the army could ever do on their own.
@meme4one ah maaaaan... I totally remember that book, it was a big paperback book with a mainly black front cover if I remember correctly. Not thought of that book in decades!
@@ben1895 oh mine was the pocket sized one. You can still get them now 👍🏻
I read it years ago then again, then I started hearing rumours about it not been true..I just read a book called Soldier one..Forget the guys name, he was also in the group..From New Zealand,he had to battle the MOD in courts but won and released it..He wanted to set the records straight as to what really happened..
Andy McNab has been a huge inspiration for me and I can't thank him enough.
As a young Marine on Recce Troop I had the pleasure of hearing McNab present the
'Prone to Capture' lecture detailing his experiences in captivity (this was long before he wrote B20) it was a hell of a lecture! It certainly made me very keen to avoid capture at any point after that.
It was lovely hearing Andy speak. I was fortunate to have a stable family background but reading wasn't really a thing and education was something that we did at school. As an eight year old back in 1977 I was given the box set of the Mike Brogan Action Man novellas for Christmas. They were the first books that I read for pleasure and I read them so much that they eventually fell apart, having to be put back together with sellotape. They instilled such a love of reading that I now have a collection of about 3,000 books.
I met Andy McNab, 10 years ago at my local 'Crisis' centre at our book club. We had a great Q & A meeting with him and he signed copies of his latest book, I still have my signed copy today.
Did he have gaffer tape over his eyes?
I met him about 8 years ago at the tank museum; he was giving a talk about his life and career. Very interesting and down to earth bloke.
If you're reading this 'Andy' you may remember me from 2 RGJ, 7and 2 Plt. You were reading Tolkein's Lord of the Rings at the time and discussing it with me on an evening in barracks at Tidworth - I think you and I were the only ones not to spend evenings in the pub. But we were council estate kids with poor education. However, the military gave me and you confidence and resilience and belief in ourselves. So when I left the army I went back into education and now have 2 degrees, 2 diplomas and a bunch of O and A levels which would never have happened without my military experiences and the people I met along the way in my early life. Take care
I signed up in 1978, joined a Scottish infantry regiment, no education as I struggled with and hated school. When I turned 18 they started to teach me how to present and teach lessons, it was as if a doorway opened up, loved it !. I would like to see my initial assessment test to see how bad I was LOL.
What a legend, I too grew up abused and uneducated. Scrapped the army entrance test, struggled getting myself through infantry basic training and pass out with the instructors disbelief and disagreement. Served for 22 years, got qualified and educated, don't listen to anyone whose trying to discourage you, if you want it that hard enough you'll get there.
Just to let you know Andy…….Bravo Two Zero was the first book I ever read, thank you very much I’ve never stopped since
I hated reading and had no interest in books. Then My ex father in law gave me a copy of Bravo Two Zero I couldn't put it down. I was hooked I then raced out to get Chris's (Colin's) book to hear his experience with the patrol. And I couldn't put it down either. Next thing I had a book case full of books. I hadn't read for some time so at the start of the year I said I'm going to get back into reading this year. And the first book I picked up was Seven Troop. Thank you Steve (Andy) for getting me into books.
Glad to hear from Andy! Thanks 👍
I have no time for “Andy McNab” nor “Chris Ryan.” I can’t excuse the blame McNab heaps on Vince Phillips for the failure of the mission that McNab led. Why did virtually everyone get a pseudonym but Phillips? Publicly blaming Vince Phillips caused great pain to his surviving family and almost certainly contributed to the suicide of Vince’s younger brother. It’s unforgivable really, especially because, as Michael Asher demonstrated, there is evidence that the accusations around Vince are completely untrue. Steven Mitchell, McNab’s real name, obscured the names of most of the members of his unit except the dead man that he and Ryan blame. It is conveniently difficult for the dead to defend themselves.
The book Soldier One Gives a totally different account as to what happened..Written by the guy who was also on the mission from New Zealand..
Excellent - sound advice from a living legend👍
Bravo Two Zero was groundbreaking really. We had knowledge of the SAS from the Embassy Siege, and the Falklands. But this book blew the doors off.
You know what? That’s what’s we need now,!
I met an ex soilder in a medium secure unit he was ex sas a man called Chris after a few days I got close to him and I was in fascinated with him because I've been reading books about military since I was 7
The guy fought this country and probably done things most couldn't I never asked him why or what he had done but I respect and think about him all the time God bless you Chris hope you have that remote control my man if anyone tries to get hold of it just snap the plastic knife he will get the message
Although I'm non military, my father was in the Wellingtons in the 50's, after hearing his stories, my greatest regret is not joining the forces.
I left school in 1976, becoming an electrician, but, there was never any encouragement at school to join the forces, or, any visits from military personnel.
Certain school leavers would benefit from military education well in advance of leaving school.
I found out he killed his dad but this guy was so relaxed around him everybody gave him a wide berth but has time went on I realized how calm and disaplined this man was
I was brought up in an inner city council estate where kids leave school with little or no education, I left school without a single qualification to my name and always thought it was because i was thick and stupid but it wasn't until i got older that i realized the failure was within the school system and the inability of teachers to teach well. Since the invention of the internet and the likes of TH-cam i've discovered i can teach myself pretty much anything... The world as they say was my lobster
Needs a hug 😊
Anyway I got close to this man who i was fascinated with sas and special forces and ended up having meals together where nobody else was allowed or dared because he wasn't the type of man who would tolerated idiots but I got a good relationship with him i miss him god bless Chris and ill see you again one day Amen 🙏
Maybe the interview could itself become a book about the twisty road we travel….
I don't know why Steve is remaining in the shadows?
Probably doesn’t want people running up to him asking for selfies while he’s going about his daily life. Perfectly understandable.
To stop fat people with cheap tattoos troubling him in the street…..from a 2434 1974 - 1998.
Because he is happier that way. He loves freedom.
Unfortunately when he wrote bravo two zero he made a lot of enemies in the regiment!
Wow,
I was a junior soldier in JIB
In Shorncliffe, Folkestone
Hated it just like McNabb ! 😅
This guy said he killed the border fox, border fox is still alive 😂😂😂
I was just down the road in Dover (1970) at the Junior Leaders Regt Royal Engineers, I enjoyed every minute of my time there. The difference was I left school with an education and thought that would be the end of it. How wrong I was, I went on to get my O's and A levels and one GCSE in Mechanical drawing while in the JL's.
The Education officer called another Junior soldier and myself into his office regarding our exam results and asked if we would be up for going to Sandhurst to train as an officer, we both turned the offer down and carried on to serve as good senior NCO's and get there was more fun.
On first leaving the army saw me as a Projects supervisor in a Ceramic fibre company. That was interesting too.
Some of the stuff that Andy describes is just how it was for many in Dover, out of my intake of 60 lads only 20 of us passed into to adult service, they either thought it was to hard, was simply not what they thought it would be like or it wasn't the life for them, for others it was on medical grounds.
Aside from home quality of life, the modern day threat to young people and their life prospects is the attention economy or to put that another way devices. The visual media, streaming, and social media fall so far short of what a good book can provide despite their convenience. Getting your child to enjoy and engage with a book is probably the most important gift with the biggest life potential for them.
Of cource big tech companies want to get their attention and spending, direct or indirect, because that's their business. Fortunately there are enough different ways to access books and so get access to the majority of human knowledge to enable life long successful and fulfillment.
It’s like the squadron motto “WhoDaresWins”
Regiment not squadron
And Del Boy's 😊.
@@ianturner8459 😄😄😄
I was taken into the platoon office in shorncliffe by my platoon commander in 86, he explained judging by my entrance exam results why was I even there and that if I wanted he would start the ball rolling to get me I to sponsored Uni the become officer , I turned this down
How did that work out
@forwardprogressonly I wasn't interested so didn't go anywhere with it
Parachuting😂 they landed by Helicopter
The guy is a liar, Peter Ratcliffe told them to take vehicles but his ego refused and cost the lives of men at the pinnacle of soldiering
What was that? Screwing everythinng up in Iraq and making a living about it?
Showing one side of Andy's face is it because he had his ear cut off when he got captured?
He’s made so much money from cocking up an operation
Nothing quite like an armchair soldier....happy Christmas you Grinch!
Perhaps embellishments were made with Bravo 20 but the important thing is that they went on mission and it was one mishap after another. They tried and the rest doesn't matter so much. I feel bad about Vince though. Fac Et Spera Andy.
Chris Ryan may have embellished slightly more 🤔
Care to explain that comment?
I kinda feel much the same but maybe YOU are missing the point here
We all do what we have to do to get were we want to be
I hated the army
But the Royal Navy was were I become a firefighter
An that got me eventually to being able to travel
I now live in Australia
I don't have to be in the sick terrible UK
some people want to sit there criticising
Others DO and then get out or get to do what THEY want
Was Andy in signals?
I just found out yea he was in signals
I must apologize im a amateur on this please excuse me thank you🙏
Steven Mitchell tells a good story. 😂
A lucky Disciplined life...😊
Who is the presenter?
Really???? It's written in the blurb.
Andy MC nab i mean🇬🇧
Did this gentleman contact his old school teachers to apologise for making their low paid lives a misery or send apologies to those students who were keen to learn for the disruption he caused?
He was a narcissistic little thug then, and it seems he is a narcissistic big thug now..
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Why's he still blacked out? Hes been out forever.
Because he doesn't want folks askin for pics etc .
To stop fat people with cheap tattoos from troubling him….
@@colintravellerexactly he can walk down the street without people going look it’s andy
He really does not want to explain why his real name isn't Andy for one thing,
for dramatic effect.
11_09
Just found out Andy McNabb was in signals I agree he went the wrong way not using pinkies and decided to walk David sterling would of gone in pinkies not decided to walk I mean tab
I apologize I can't really message that good down to head injuries I wanted to join the army but because I was schizophrenic but I think I would of made a good soilder because I don't fear anyone and I'm the kind of person what would fight to the death for king and country
I’m a former 2434 from 1974 - 1998 - 74/14 Cambrai Bks……..A brigadier, many years ago, said that the army was good at taking young people from diminished and poor backgrounds and bump starting them (his words). I was totally ‘unsuitable’ but 24 years later…..He was correct.
She states that he was parachuted behind the lines in Iraq……..I assume that’s a euphemism?
I doubt she is aware of details and just reads autocues. Takes all sorts.
Who writes this diahorreah !