SADF: did it make you or break you? (or both)

[Moering Tool]

Waaay off topic. I'm a bit of an armchair psychologist, and since I am just young enough to have missed getting my draft papers, I was wondering about this after having a chat with my boss (he was a helo macky) about this.

I can't think of a better forum where these experiences are represented, and I was wondering how you would characterise your personal journey in the SAW and how it affected your character going forward in life, for better or worse.

Keeping in mind the forum rule about not engaging in politics, I am extremely interested in what you ex troepies have to say.

Thanks!
Riaan

[Johann65]

My time in the SA Air Force was great! Lot of experiences!(Squadron and Bush) If training was offered I never said no!
Became a Flight Sergeant in 4yrs and 10 months! Permanent Force! Normally takes you 12 yrs
Last bush was 1971 and my wife did not recognize me when I came Home
The SADF, SAP discipline and the Technical GM training together became invaluable in industry!
I only left when UCAR made me an offer I could not refuse! (4 times my SAAF pay) That was 42 yrs ago!

[pietpetoors]

I went to boarding school at the Technical School in Kroonstad. By the time I went to army I were used to brassing window catches, polishing floors, making beds square, getting an opf^%$.

Coming from the Free State, army was fun, I got to sleep late, wear my hair long, bad thing was I had to wear shoes.

Both boarding school and army helped form my character. Taught me to be self sufficient, never give up and fight for what you want. Parts of army was bad, but I prefer to remember the good parts.

[Gavin RS]

Jan 1981 Army intake at 4 SAI Middelburg, spent 9 months there completed all phases of training in the infantary, lots of hectic times and lots of PT and "op voks" in that time,
I then decided to Join PF and got into the SA Air Force, spent a year in Langebaan Weg flying training school and went on to complete my trade as a qualified Avionic Armament Fitter at 40 Sqd Waterkloof, spent time at 4 Sqd as well as AFB Potch ,. went up to the border for border duty for a while did my bit etc etc and I would do it all again, Spent 5 years in the Force , Built men in those days and we ended up with a different outlook on life compared to the generation today

[Johann72]

Jan 1981 Army intake at 4 SAI Middelburg, spent 9 months there completed all phases of training in the infantary, lots of hectic times and lots of PT and "op voks" in that time,
I then decided to Join PF and got into the SA Air Force, spent a year in Langebaan Weg flying training school and went on to complete my trade as a qualified Avionic Armament Fitter at 40 Sqd Waterkloof, spent time at 4 Sqd as well as AFB Potch ,. went up to the border for border duty for a while did my bit etc etc and I would do it all again, Spent 5 years in the Force , Built men in those days and we ended up with a different outlook on life compared to the generation today

Discipline!!! The name of the game!!

[Chev58]

I grew up on the Weskus - Saldanha Bay and as an "immigrant" to SA(thanks to my parents) I was called up for service in 85 to 6 SAI, it was the best 2 years I never want over hahhaha, but it taught me vasbyt, respect and most of all discipline - some that is seriously lacking in the young generation of today(my own kids included).
It changed my outlook on life for the better, for sure.

[hitlers revenge]

Chevy V8, Interesting that you went to the Army as an "Immigrant".

In '78/9 as an "Immigrant", even though I had all my papers, I was told to stay away from the SADF.

The reason being was that if I ended up on the Angolan border and was caught by the opposition, I would be dealt with as a mercenary. SADF would obviously not want this to happen.

I would of loved to go. Hearing all the stories from my mates, makes one feel that something (at the time) was missing in ones young life.

[Chev58]

Well in about 1984 SANDF changed its mind and the ruling thus became, as there were so many immigrants residing in SA(and having received SA Citizenship) - serve your country or leave.
Well long story short our July 85 intake was 90% plus immigrants and most of us were english speaking an conveiniently forgot afrikaans so as to annoy the Koporaal and the Sersant met die plank snor daily as we did not understand them this resulted in more opf$ks and sien jy daai boom troep routine, this continued through basics, 2nd phase training and by the final phase we were pretty fit and toughened up and eventually ended up "cracking" the poor bugger, he went missing from the base for about 6 weeks, upon his return he was transferred elsewhere.
After this we spend the rest of our time on border duties, good times,bad times, sad times and a lot of long lasting memories.

[First V8]

A once proud SANDF & sons , now this http://mini.iol.co.za/news/politics/san ... ts-2020737

[Gavin RS]

Read that article and it is very sad. I have a friend from school and the 2 of us went into the SADF at the same time, did the same trade etc etc and he is still in the SAAF, has 6 years to go to retirement, highly qualified in his field and the stories he tells me what is happening in todays SANDF is shocking to say the least.

Anyway my opinion, if Lesotho had to attack SA with 1 hanglider and a bakkie with 10 soldiers SA would have to call ADT for assistance as our soldiers would protest or go on strike