Anybody been following this truly first class doco/fly on the wall look at a bunch of raw British Army infantry recruits, from the first day until i guess they finish there first tour of Afghanistan.

Last nights episode saw them embark for Afghanistan and i must admit i had a tear in the eye for these very very brave young men. I don't especially agree with our involvement over there but these young guys set an incredible example.

Many youngsters cop a fair amount of stick these days but these guys showed what strength of character many still have. They are often not the most eloquent or polished but very courageous in my opinion and hope all of them return safely. These types of programmes can sometimes be garish but this is filmed with great sensitivity and compassion.

Yes I've watched 2 episodes so far.
It takes me back to when I first joined up at the age of 16 a very long time ago.
I don't know if it's because I'm getting older and the fact I have a 15 year old who is very keen on joining up but I find myself getting quite emotional and teary.Those boy's look so young and innocent'not all' and for the most part don't really know what lies ahead for them.
May their god watch over them.

Christ - you joined at 16? Junior Leaders/Infantry/Whatever or was it pre WW1

Don't watch them anymore since seeing two young bootnecks who were on Bulwark getting blown up by an IED

Insulting the poor old chap, he's not a bloody Pongo Besides it would have been press-ganging in his day

Yep,I was still in nappies.

Keep yer sex life to yersel

Press conned more like.

Recruiting staff telling porkies surely not

I've a good ditty about when I was commissioned to make something special for a bondage room to do with a nappy wearing man.One day over a pint maybe.

Yer on

I would hazard a guess that both of you would take that shilling again if you were that age......

Too bloody right

"You're a ninja!"

"I know Mam!"

I only saw the first episode so have not followed it. Most soldiers are young - and always have been. Only young men are capable of doing some of the infantry shit that they are required to do.

I'm surprised that that some of them are on operations after only 6 months training - that's not long enough. We trained for a year before going into combat (and it was a genuine 10 months of hard training, with 2 months leave, farting about) - and we needed every minute of it.