Squaddie: A Soldier's Story - Steven McLaughlin

Not bad & a good weekend read.

This book was recommended by a mate, also an ex squadde.

At first I was chuckling away, sympathising over all the pain, hardship & the "bull" you have to put up with, it brought it all crashing back.
(Stag sucks, Catterick is indeed the arse end of nowhere & sadistic short people with bad moustache's do prosper in the Army)

As the book wore on I couldn't help but think "for the love of god, stop moaning will you"
The guy is constantly moaning, christ, what did he expect, Summer camp?


All in all not a bad read, with some genuine humour in there that some may like & it will certainly pass a wet weekend while reminiscing about the good ole' days.

Good work Soldier!

The sharp end of Squaddie culture

This is a great military story about the reality of everyday life for a professional soldier in the British Army. I loved the fact that it's written entirely from the perspective of a junior rank in the line Infantry. McLaughlin served for three very busy years as a Rifleman in one of our toughest and most respected units - the Royal Green Jackets. The book takes you through basic training, battalion life in Britain, an emergency `Spearhead deployment' to Iraq in the summer of 2003, and a typical NI tour.

Squaddie has a nice little historical perspective going on, because McLaughlin served at a pivotal moment in two major conflicts - one that was just beginning (Iraq) and one that was finally ending (Northern Ireland). It's also an extremely accurate account of modern-day Infantry training at Catterick, and the lifestyle a soldier can expect to lead when he makes it to his battalion.

I think that some of the books critics have really missed the point; it's specifically about what it's like to be a Private soldier for a couple of years - NOT what it's like being an SAS trooper or Infantry CO for 20years or a lifetime! As an ex-Infanteer myself (DWR), it was good to hear a familiar voice talking with clarity and honesty, about the ups and downs of Squaddie life and culture.

Worst soldiers account written

I find it quite hard to believe that this book was ever published. It is written by a soldier with only 3 years experience, 6 months of which was in basic training.
I have no doubt that the author was in the army but his accounts are sketchy and very very narrow minded to the other corps and regiments within the army. Example he says he went out on TELIC 2 in summer when everyone else including myself on TELIC 2 started in spring. He lets on that the green jackets were the only infantry regiment there and were the only people allowed into the city which is rubbish. Im my 7 months I never once saw a green jacket, the leading infantry were KOSBs and King Os.
One good read in the book was his hardships in getting into the army but after all that I plead with you to throw the book away.

Squaddie

This book really gives a good description of life in a British infantry regiment. It brought back memories of being in Belfast and and on active service.

It is also a really good read and does an excellent job covering a difficult subject.

AN INTERSTING BLOKE

This book is a good easy read, McLaughlin's time in the army will be well recognised by anyone who has served or is still serving. Some funny stories. McLaughlin should be congratulated on his determination to follow through on his commitment to joining the services first as a Royal & then as an infantryman.

Not bad & a good weekend read.

This book was recommended by a mate, also an ex squadde.

At first I was chuckling away, sympathising over all the pain, hardship & the "bull" you have to put up with, it brought it all crashing back.
(Stag sucks, Catterick is indeed the arse end of nowhere & sadistic short people with bad moustache's do prosper in the Army)

As the book wore on I couldn't help but think "for the love of god, stop moaning will you"
The guy is constantly moaning, christ, what did he expect, Summer camp?


All in all not a bad read, with some genuine humour in there that some may like & it will certainly pass a wet weekend while reminiscing about the good ole' days.

Good work Soldier!

The sharp end of Squaddie culture

This is a great military story about the reality of everyday life for a professional soldier in the British Army. I loved the fact that it's written entirely from the perspective of a junior rank in the line Infantry. McLaughlin served for three very busy years as a Rifleman in one of our toughest and most respected units - the Royal Green Jackets. The book takes you through basic training, battalion life in Britain, an emergency `Spearhead deployment' to Iraq in the summer of 2003, and a typical NI tour.

Squaddie has a nice little historical perspective going on, because McLaughlin served at a pivotal moment in two major conflicts - one that was just beginning (Iraq) and one that was finally ending (Northern Ireland). It's also an extremely accurate account of modern-day Infantry training at Catterick, and the lifestyle a soldier can expect to lead when he makes it to his battalion.

I think that some of the books critics have really missed the point; it's specifically about what it's like to be a Private soldier for a couple of years - NOT what it's like being an SAS trooper or Infantry CO for 20years or a lifetime! As an ex-Infanteer myself (DWR), it was good to hear a familiar voice talking with clarity and honesty, about the ups and downs of Squaddie life and culture.

Worst soldiers account written

I find it quite hard to believe that this book was ever published. It is written by a soldier with only 3 years experience, 6 months of which was in basic training.
I have no doubt that the author was in the army but his accounts are sketchy and very very narrow minded to the other corps and regiments within the army. Example he says he went out on TELIC 2 in summer when everyone else including myself on TELIC 2 started in spring. He lets on that the green jackets were the only infantry regiment there and were the only people allowed into the city which is rubbish. Im my 7 months I never once saw a green jacket, the leading infantry were KOSBs and King Os.
One good read in the book was his hardships in getting into the army but after all that I plead with you to throw the book away.

Squaddie

This book really gives a good description of life in a British infantry regiment. It brought back memories of being in Belfast and and on active service.

It is also a really good read and does an excellent job covering a difficult subject.

AN INTERSTING BLOKE

This book is a good easy read, McLaughlin's time in the army will be well recognised by anyone who has served or is still serving. Some funny stories. McLaughlin should be congratulated on his determination to follow through on his commitment to joining the services first as a Royal & then as an infantryman.