Vern Stokes has just become Garrison Sergeant Major London Division taking over from the Legend GSM Billy Mott, so now he will be in charge of events such as trooping the colour......respect
I am a Professional Toastmaster & Master of Ceremonies and earlier this year we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of our Guild with a Meeting followed by a Lunch in thee Union Jack Club in London. After lunch we obviously retired to the Bar and imagine my surprise when I was introduced to Vern Stokes. One of our Fellows, was at the time a Chief Supt. with the Met. and one of his responsibilities was Trooping the Colour which is where he knew Vern. To say the guy is a Gentleman is putting it mildly. I had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon in his company and was sorry it had to come to an end.
@hunterxf382 It is funny you mention that. I saw the TV series back in the day when it first screened in 1995/96 and it was the first reality tv show I ever watched. It has stayed with me since then. I watched parts of the Queen's funeral on TV. First person I thought of when I saw the Grenadier Guards was Verne Stokes and I thought "I wonder what part he played in this?"
Sgt Major Jeff Lawrence (Kings) was my corporal when I was a junior soldier at Strensal barracks back in 1983 and by God did he give me a hard time. He drove me home on my first leave and gave me a dressing down in my own home lol.
Yeah, but that was because he CARED. NCOs don't make your life difficult or get on you for fun. They do it because it's their DUTY to give you correction and guidance to develop you into the best soldier and man you have it in you to be.
@stanly stud What I see as an old retired soldier (enlisted man, NCO, and commissioned officer in over 30 years'service) is that he's a tough, highly professional Senior NCO. Warrant Officer in the British Army. Especially in Infantry/ Airborne/ Special Operations training and units, nobody is doing ANYONE any favors by going easy on them. To do so would definitely lead to serious, even deadly, problems in combat.
I wasn't a soldier, just a RAF NCO, but I enjoyed watching this immensely despite it's age. The myth of the 'thick squadie' can be instantly dismissed by watching this. Infrantry NCOs are very high calibre and capable people and, like most veterans, would be a huge fucking asset to anyone in civie street with discharge to the real world being the biggest battles many of us face where what you did and what you were means fuck all. As for Ken Hames, what a fucking legend he is, an outstanding officer (and minor TV celebrity) and someone who had completed the so called Holy Trinity of military training...Royal Marines, Pre Para/P Company and UKSF (22SAS). Great show, great blokes. Respect to all our HM Forces vets and serving members. Garry Harriman, South Carolina, USA, RAF 1987_2006.
Garry Harriman, JUST an RAF NCO, totally wrong, anyone who progresses through the ranks, especially to senior NCO are not just anything, every single member of the British armed forces are something, they are brothers in arms, and whilst inter service rivalry can be an issue we are/were all on the same team, and the glue that holds the services together are the NCO’s. Regards RAF 1979-2003 SNCO and damn proud of it.
I served 1986 - 1999. This brings back so many memories. I'd love to know what senior Brecon is like nowadays what with recruitment problems and all the legends/characters long since left.
Ex Army Paz 49 "That link doesn’t come up for some reason. Is he a bit of a Walt then?" 1. I just tried it, it works fine ! 2. Are you concluding that because you think the link doesn't work, he's bogus ? Silly conclusion. - He's got several programs here on YT, it's not difficult to conclude he's genuine; 16 years SAS.
With reference to my previous comment about the Battle Stripes series, I stated that I had done both the Section Commanders Battle Course and the Platoon Commanders Battle Course. What I meant was that I attended the Platoon Sergeant’s Battle Course, not the Platoon Commander’s course, which is for Junior commissioned Officers. ( 2nd Lieutenant’s) Apologies for any confusion my comment might have caused.
What stands out here is the quality of the staff. The business of the infantry (at least back then) was coming to grips with the enemy and killing them. Not if or buts, no screaming or dramatics either. Just manning up and getting on it. Have to smile at Ken Hamm, one very tough individual and one time squadron commander in the SAS. Chuckled when I saw him just jogging up some pretty steep slopes.
I remember when this was first shown on SKY. I was stationed in Germany and wanted to join the British Army. I think it is better fighting force than the US military.
The Brits are superb soldiers. But, you're kinda comparing apples and oranges when comparing their army to ours. Their army is TINY compared to the US Army. It's a smaller, tight, well-trained professional Army with a FAR higher retention rate than ours -- that's a big reason rank is very slow. But. Put your really STRAC US Army Divisions ( 1st ID, 101st, 82nd, and possibly 3rd ID) in comparison to them, and put our Army 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) up against any of their Guards Regiments, the Americans will either end in a tie or win. In Special Operations (US Rangers and SF units) we're very similar and do a LOT of training together. Many of us who spent many years in SF still have many friends in British SAS. In combat I've run joint operations with them, and would do so any day, if I wasn't an old, shot-up, banged-up retired guy!
The Officer Commanding, Maj. Hames (at the time of this training appointment) was already no stranger to the Brecon Beacons. He'd already served 16 years in the SAS !
Goaty McGoatins Yeah, I suppose that's why there's such a distinction between infantry seargents and other NCOs, This course must be one of the reasons.
Pete B, I was an infantry NCO in the U.S. Army and we have a similar course. When you have been a NCO for several years, you forget some of the individual skills of soldiering as a private simply because you don't do some of them any more. Plus, being in charge of peers is different from being in charge of a bunch of privates...puts you on the spot a little more.
Three weeks pre course at Pirbright and was carrying a few injuries when I got to Breacon,Instructors were a bunch of rambos,especially the para instructors who just blasted you every day and taught you nothing ...too much regimental rivalry with the instructors,Paras beasting Guardsmen and Guardsman beasting chippys..You have to do junior and senior to get promoted and hope you don’t get a serious injury or you go back and do it again..
Brecon was my playground when I was in the TA (4WFR). One thing I regret not doing when I was in was not getting my driving license. Also, something I leanred while in the TA was that no matter how hard the training or how shitty the weather was, making you piss wet through and depressed, there was always a nice dry kit in your bergen for you to change into and a hot mug of sweet tea. It didnt matetr how cold and wet you were on a tab or exercise, when you finished, you could change into fresh gear,
Vern Stokes! Eventually became Garrison Sgt Major Stokes and was Snr NCO for Her Majestey's funeral, and the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
@@marklee1194 Perhaps I should be more specific, the syllabus used for this course, is it used by special forces who want to be sergeant or would that be redundant?
Well hardest I do not think so for a sgt course..USMC small unit leaders course!! 9 weeks of awesome training..hard yes but fun..Of course I loved boot camp to..
I did the march about 10 times 8 miles 2 hours..standard inf. Standard!!. I would ruck run It and I was In my late 40s and early 50s..but I am a freak of nature 🤪
از جناب رییس جمهور ایالات متحد امریکا آقای جوی با یدن و (ملکه خانم الیزابت ) جو بایدن، رئیسجمهور آمریکا پیش که از مراسم خاکسپاری ملکه الیزابت شرکت کردند بسیار پرشکوه میباشد خانم ملکه الیزابت امزوز با جاودان و جاوید به پادشاه چالز جاویدان میگویم و متشکر از حضور ریس جمهور ایالات متحد امریکا آقای جو بایدن در این روز ۱۸ سپتامر ۲۰۲۲ میلادی جاودان بر پادشاه چالز و ولیعهد ولیام و هریی و خانم نخست وزیر لیز تروس متشکر میباشیم جاودان به شما و ملت و دولت و مردم کشور بریتانیای بزر و لندن قدردانی داریم کشور انگلستان و خانم ملکه الیزابت روحشان و پیکرش و قبرشان درخشان باشد از درفتر سیاسی آقای علیرضا شکیبایی میباشد با سپاس از شما و قدردانی میباشد تاریخ .۱۸.۰۹.۲۰۲۲ سپتامبر میلادی و ۱۴۰۱ خورشیدی ایران
Vern Stokes goes on to become Garrison Sergeant Major. WO1 Top NCO Coldstream Guards. A lot of great men went through here.
Vern Stokes has just become Garrison Sergeant Major London Division taking over from the Legend GSM Billy Mott, so now he will be in charge of events such as trooping the colour......respect
I am a Professional Toastmaster & Master of Ceremonies and earlier this year we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of our Guild with a Meeting followed by a Lunch in thee Union Jack Club in London. After lunch we obviously retired to the Bar and imagine my surprise when I was introduced to Vern Stokes. One of our Fellows, was at the time a Chief Supt. with the Met. and one of his responsibilities was Trooping the Colour which is where he knew Vern. To say the guy is a Gentleman is putting it mildly. I had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon in his company and was sorry it had to come to an end.
I just noticed that
He still doing it?
@hunterxf382 It is funny you mention that. I saw the TV series back in the day when it first screened in 1995/96 and it was the first reality tv show I ever watched. It has stayed with me since then. I watched parts of the Queen's funeral on TV. First person I thought of when I saw the Grenadier Guards was Verne Stokes and I thought "I wonder what part he played in this?"
@Taiko-vx1tr yes just done Trooping the Colour and the Kings Coronation
Sgt Major Jeff Lawrence (Kings) was my corporal when I was a junior soldier at Strensal barracks back in 1983 and by God did he give me a hard time. He drove me home on my first leave and gave me a dressing down in my own home lol.
Did he wear his seatbelt when he drove home.
Yeah, but that was because he CARED. NCOs don't make your life difficult or get on you for fun. They do it because it's their DUTY to give you correction and guidance to develop you into the best soldier and man you have it in you to be.
@stanly stud What I see as an old retired soldier (enlisted man, NCO, and commissioned officer in over 30 years'service) is that he's a tough, highly professional Senior NCO. Warrant Officer in the British Army. Especially in Infantry/ Airborne/ Special Operations training and units, nobody is doing ANYONE any favors by going easy on them. To do so would definitely lead to serious, even deadly, problems in combat.
What did he dress you down for?
@@Taiko-THC349 I think I swore in fromt of my mum, every other word in the army was an explitive .
I wasn't a soldier, just a RAF NCO, but I enjoyed watching this immensely despite it's age. The myth of the 'thick squadie' can be instantly dismissed by watching this. Infrantry NCOs are very high calibre and capable people and, like most veterans, would be a huge fucking asset to anyone in civie street with discharge to the real world being the biggest battles many of us face where what you did and what you were means fuck all. As for Ken Hames, what a fucking legend he is, an outstanding officer (and minor TV celebrity) and someone who had completed the so called Holy Trinity of military training...Royal Marines, Pre Para/P Company and UKSF (22SAS). Great show, great blokes. Respect to all our HM Forces vets and serving members. Garry Harriman, South Carolina, USA, RAF 1987_2006.
Garry Harriman, JUST an RAF NCO, totally wrong, anyone who progresses through the ranks, especially to senior NCO are not just anything, every single member of the British armed forces are something, they are brothers in arms, and whilst inter service rivalry can be an issue we are/were all on the same team, and the glue that holds the services together are the NCO’s.
Regards
RAF 1979-2003 SNCO and damn proud of it.
@@allandavis8201 Cheers mate. I hope life treated you and is treating you well. Garry.
I just love TH-cam and the way these brilliant old UK Armed Forces vids keep popping up.
sad to see the long gone regiments and unique identities.
I served 1986 - 1999. This brings back so many memories. I'd love to know what senior Brecon is like nowadays what with recruitment problems and all the legends/characters long since left.
Got fitter,learnt fuck all.
I met Capt. Hames at Bicester Garrison. He had the kit he used for SAS selection stolen. I was the investigating police officer. Nice guy.
Are you referring to Major Hames in this part 4:22 ? Did he pass selection ?
I found his info, don't need it. SAS indeed.
military.wikia.org/wiki/Ken_Hames
Ex Army Paz 49 "That link doesn’t come up for some reason. Is he a bit of a Walt then?"
1. I just tried it, it works fine !
2. Are you concluding that because you think the link doesn't work, he's bogus ? Silly conclusion.
- He's got several programs here on YT, it's not difficult to conclude he's genuine; 16 years SAS.
With reference to my previous comment about the Battle Stripes series, I stated that I had done both the Section Commanders Battle Course and the Platoon Commanders Battle Course. What I meant was that I attended the Platoon Sergeant’s Battle Course, not the Platoon Commander’s course, which is for Junior commissioned Officers. ( 2nd Lieutenant’s) Apologies for any confusion my comment might have caused.
Been looking for this for a long time, used to watch it on the history channel in Canada
Some of these men are now sgt majors ....old bastards lol
Vern Stokes is the garrison sergeant major London District now.
What stands out here is the quality of the staff. The business of the infantry (at least back then) was coming to grips with the enemy and killing them. Not if or buts, no screaming or dramatics either. Just manning up and getting on it. Have to smile at Ken Hamm, one very tough individual and one time squadron commander in the SAS. Chuckled when I saw him just jogging up some pretty steep slopes.
Window jackings, I love it.
I'm blessed that I'm naturally fit!! Go on yourself son!
I've always been jealous of these people who never need to work on their fitness.. :D
Fkn hell, I always thought big Vern was born a wo1!
I remember when this was first shown on SKY. I was stationed in Germany and wanted to join the British Army. I think it is better fighting force than the US military.
The Brits are superb soldiers. But, you're kinda comparing apples and oranges when comparing their army to ours. Their army is TINY compared to the US Army. It's a smaller, tight, well-trained professional Army with a FAR higher retention rate than ours -- that's a big reason rank is very slow. But. Put your really STRAC US Army Divisions ( 1st ID, 101st, 82nd, and possibly 3rd ID) in comparison to them, and put our Army 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) up against any of their Guards Regiments, the Americans will either end in a tie or win. In Special Operations (US Rangers and SF units) we're very similar and do a LOT of training together. Many of us who spent many years in SF still have many friends in British SAS. In combat I've run joint operations with them, and would do so any day, if I wasn't an old, shot-up, banged-up retired guy!
Thank you! Been looking for this for years!
Chuffed to the bollocks is an Army expression meaning splendid!😉
Hames, you were awesome
Great course this is. Found it more interesting than the crap on scbc we got. My old regiment gone now. 1 QLR.
Maj Ramsey our Company commander at ITC, good bloke 👏
The Officer Commanding, Maj. Hames (at the time of this training appointment) was already no stranger to the Brecon Beacons. He'd already served 16 years in the SAS !
God bless him..
@@Germanicus- Bringing your mental acuity and invisible sky-shitstain talk here now ?
@@michaelanderson7715 Michael, you crack me up. Nope, just couldn't resist.
I had forgot that….
Suprising, you always expect infantry / cav NCO’s to be at the top of their game, but they are as mixed a bunch and any other regiment.
Goaty McGoatins Yeah, I suppose that's why there's such a distinction between infantry seargents and other NCOs, This course must be one of the reasons.
Pete B, I was an infantry NCO in the U.S. Army and we have a similar course. When you have been a NCO for several years, you forget some of the individual skills of soldiering as a private simply because you don't do some of them any more. Plus, being in charge of peers is different from being in charge of a bunch of privates...puts you on the spot a little more.
Three weeks pre course at Pirbright and was carrying a few injuries when I got to Breacon,Instructors were a bunch of rambos,especially the para instructors who just blasted you every day and taught you nothing ...too much regimental rivalry with the instructors,Paras beasting Guardsmen and Guardsman beasting chippys..You have to do junior and senior to get promoted and hope you don’t get a serious injury or you go back and do it again..
@@paulritchie5868 When did you do it?
more amunition than you can shake a stick at.... i wonder if thats still true today with all the bloody cuts the army is doing.
Is that THE Ken Hames? Ex-SAS, adventurer and TV personality?
The one and only!
Brecon was my playground when I was in the TA (4WFR).
One thing I regret not doing when I was in was not getting my driving license.
Also, something I leanred while in the TA was that no matter how hard the training or how shitty the weather was, making you piss wet through and depressed, there was always a nice dry kit in your bergen for you to change into and a hot mug of sweet tea.
It didnt matetr how cold and wet you were on a tab or exercise, when you finished, you could change into fresh gear,
Vern Stokes! Eventually became Garrison Sgt Major Stokes and was Snr NCO for Her Majestey's funeral, and the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Recognise Gaz Baker 1st bn Scots Guards on here, he was on my nco, s cadre course in battalion.
"We are not into attritional warfare anymore.."
2.17 maybes your ultimate responsibility should be to wear your seat belt 🤣🙈
12-02 in . Is that church hill leading up to sennybridge training area?
Is that Garvey from soldier soldier!😉
Vern Stokes on channel 5 as GSM!!!!!!!
The Vern Stokes!
We did not predict afghan did we!!! 'Brecon did not could not do that,,,,,
Vern stokes is in another video I seen on youtube , fun fact
Terry Dak - legend
Vern Stokes is London GSM now! Wierd seeing him here's a Screw!
every course is the "hardest"....
Can anyone tell me Bates's regiment/unit? Can't make out his beret badge.
He was Small Arms School Corps......he is now serving in the Australian Army.
is this on DVD anywhere?
Does the SAS use this course?
Not sure. Information like that is highly classified, but they do train in the Brecon Beacons.
@@marklee1194
Perhaps I should be more specific, the syllabus used for this course, is it used by special forces who want to be sergeant or would that be redundant?
@@patrickmcshane7658 I believe the UKSF have their own criteria, though the actual information is classified.
Mark Lee UKSF do junior Brecon to promote, if they have not already done so.
Dave 2020 they do.
Not bad if you think the L Sgt got to. Garrison Sgt major
Bias depending on cap badge.
Well hardest I do not think so for a sgt course..USMC small unit leaders course!! 9 weeks of awesome training..hard yes but fun..Of course I loved boot camp to..
When?
IS THIS THE NPC COURSE OR E1 E2
Proper dramatic over an 8 mile tab 🤣🤣
RRF
I did the march about 10 times 8 miles 2 hours..standard inf. Standard!!. I would ruck run It and I was In my late 40s and early 50s..but I am a freak of nature 🤪
Cheers dits
Hot bath would of sorted half them injuries out. Bad prep 😂
Like he said kids are not hard these days..
Remedial beret shaping needed
26 years old?!
Was gonna say, he looks like he’s 36-40
Vern says he 26.fuk me he looks about 40
از جناب رییس جمهور ایالات متحد امریکا آقای جوی با یدن و (ملکه خانم الیزابت )
جو بایدن، رئیسجمهور آمریکا پیش که از مراسم خاکسپاری ملکه الیزابت شرکت کردند بسیار پرشکوه میباشد خانم ملکه الیزابت امزوز با جاودان و جاوید به پادشاه چالز جاویدان میگویم
و متشکر از حضور ریس جمهور ایالات متحد امریکا آقای جو بایدن در این روز ۱۸ سپتامر ۲۰۲۲ میلادی جاودان بر پادشاه چالز و ولیعهد ولیام و هریی و خانم نخست وزیر لیز تروس متشکر میباشیم جاودان به شما و ملت و دولت و مردم کشور بریتانیای بزر و لندن قدردانی داریم کشور انگلستان و خانم ملکه الیزابت روحشان و پیکرش و قبرشان درخشان باشد
از درفتر سیاسی آقای علیرضا شکیبایی میباشد با سپاس از شما و قدردانی میباشد تاریخ .۱۸.۰۹.۲۰۲۲ سپتامبر میلادی و ۱۴۰۱ خورشیدی ایران