Merry Christmas to all Pongos, past and present.

[derekpara]

Merry Christmas to all Pongos past and present, especially the PBI and those who did P Company. Don't forget to raise a glass to all those out east - even the Bootnecks.

[B00]

What's a Pongo?

Anyhoooos- Merry Christmas derek and many happy twitterings for the New Year

Boo
xxxx

[Bellringer]

I'll join in a drink to the pongos, they do a great job with bu**er all. I am prejudiced my son is one.
derekpara: a Pongo is what the RN call soldiers and bootnecks are the RM.
Sorry, RN is Royal Navy & RM is Royal Marines.
Please note, Only the Americans have Marines, we have Royal Marines.

[Bellringer]

Sorry! The above should have been addressed to Boo. It's that time of night.

[B00]

Oh rightio- learn summet new everyday don't you eh? Thanks for clarifying Bellringer, all the season's best to you too :-)

Now I know what they are, may I echo the sentiments? Hope you/they all have a safe Christmas.

[derekpara]

Hello, lovely Boo.

Bellringer has answered your question very well. Thanks, Bellringer.

The PBI is the Poor Bloody Infantry and P Company is the pre-parachute selection course for potential Airborne Forces. The Royals Marines have just taken over from my old battalion (3para) in Afghanistan and are doing a great job.

I think Twittering is here to stay, don't you ?

[Toureman]

Merry Xmas to the CRABS aswell, ex Bootneck !

[Toureman]

Well done the Cherry berries, now the cabbage hats have taken over.

[derekpara]

Yes, mate and I hope they don't get second-hand ammo like our boys did !!

[Bellringer]

Derekpara; don't forget the Merchant Navy, such as we have left. Without them there wouldn't be the fuel to get planes to jump out of. I didn't manage to get all my jumps in when I was in the TA so didn't get my wings. I shipped out instead. MN of course (the sea-going navy).
All the best.

[Bellringer]

PS. My father was a Lt. Commander RN.

[derekpara]

Hi, Bellringer. So that's why you knew what a Pongo was ! A two and a half ringer should know what he's talking about. By the way, forgot to say Good Luck to your lad. May he stay safe and come home to you all. And it will be down to his mates , not our wonderful government.

You notice that although the Paras and Cabbage heads (RMs) were always at each others throats, when it comes to the crunch we come together, and heaven help anyone who tries to get at us.

[Bellringer]

Hi Derek,
i am sure my son can hold his own, he has been in the odd hot spot. But as for mates! He is SIB. A close knit mob if ever there was. He has just been commissioned having started at the bottom in the RCT.
As an ex-lancejack RMP (TA) I am dead proud of him.