Rusty Firmin - Story of how me and the late John McAleese MM met- Part 10 - SAS the long drag
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- Опубликовано: 30 сен 2024
- A commom question "how did you and John McAleese meet?" See part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. Please remember to subscribe to my RUclips channel, visit my website, follow me on Twitter and join the SAS Special Air Service Militaria Collectors & Facts Page on Facebook. Merchandise is available on the Facebook page, eBay and directly off my website.
WHO DARES WINS!
Around 20hrs of hard work non stop. I can’t even run 6 miles at the moment. Incredible endurance
Nothing but respect for you fellas, whatever you make money wise after your service will never be enough.good luck
Was great to hear this. Took me back 18 years. Long Drag. Not called that for nothing. Great memories. That was my lowest ebb on Test Week. What no one ever realises is you're exhausted at the start. Not the end. The end is something completley different. I set off at around midnight during a scorching summer. I was sleep deprived having only rested a few hours because I was late on the previous march which ate into my rest period. Woken from a sound sleep in the billet at 9pm for last fresh meal and a briefing. All I could think about was sleep. Sleep sleep sleep. I had serious thoughts about chucking the towel in. On the hills in pitch blackness with the wind howling I could just make out the grass ruffling as if it was down draft from a heli. I went up Jacobs Ladder about 4 in the morning. I felt during this point that I was done, my body was crying out for sleep. I could make out the first RV as the Sun came up. Thats when I started to feel positive and realised if I do this I fulfill my dream. I. Me. Would have passed one of the toughest if not the toughest courses in the world. I came in with an hour and half to spare. I remember seeing the red tail lights of the final RV, thought I was dreaming. Gave my name to the DS, took my bergen off and vomited brown viscous projectile vomit everywhere. Litres of it. Haha. I've never before or since gone to sleep as fast as I did when we got back. Next morning at breakfast was like a scene from The Walking Dead everyone shuffling to the cook house. Great memories. Loved it as hard as it was. Just wanted to share. Be great to hear from others experience of Long Drag.
john the John Wayne shuffle after some of the tabs is something to be seen as are the blisters on your feet and back!
@The Scatman Tremendous feeling to pass Test Week after all that hard work that came before it. Sad that I didn't get in. I'd have loved to have got that beret. But wasn't to be. A lot of folks like me though. Some people try twice and fail twice.
@The Scatman Tips?? Err..The only way is to lace up and get out there. I've always said the only way to train for selection is to do it on your own time. I fell over a lot at first. But with time it just comes, eventually you can move quickly over rough ground and stay on your feet. Its important to do it with some weight because your hot spots will be different. As in blisters. Eventually when you have put enough time in you'll be able to do long distances and get few if any blisters. That and a bit of luck. I was lucky, although my feet were sore I completed the week without trench foot or blisters, little bit of bergen rub on my sides, but otherwise unscathed. Some lads looked like they had stigmata. I remember an officer he had a big red upside down cross on his back, looked like someone had been at him with sand paper. Thats about all I can give tbh. Its hard to remember after 18 years. That's Summer. I never did Winter but I'm guessing it comes with its own challenges.
@The Scatman It took me about 12 month. But everyone is different. Depends on your base fitness level and how prone you are to injury. I got injured once.
@The Scatman I got a stand up failure. Bit complicated. I'm not ashamed to say I wasn't good enough. Its not difficult to raise an eye brow or prickle someones ear because you said or did something you probably shouldn't have. Next minute they decide they don't like you. I've over simplified it a bit but that's what happened.
God bless big john and you rusty
20 years enlisted in 66 , I knew i would never have been good enough when i spoke to Bob Reed and Tony Halls , they said you might you never know , was the greatest complement i ever was paid , thank you all of you we sleep sound
Thank you Rusty, Mac, the main points now missed, sense of humor, eye contact, play on phobias lookout!, eyes on you constantly 24/7, looking forward to long drag again this year hopefully if wales let's me in, who seen this one coming crazy days, 54 year old burn out now so 24hrs is a win.
Best wishes to you old trooper. I've subbed to keep a tab on your exploits,and by way of a thank you for what you did,digging deep in service of the crown.Personally I think you and your comrades who are still amongst us should all be given a seat in the house of lords!!. Now I mean that so sincerely and our country would be best served by you all being in there than most of those who are already in there. Rant over....best wishes, Fraser.
Rusty didn't know that John loves kids. John has very dark secret that his 1st knew about.
But then I think Rusty didn't want to say bad things about his friend. John's nuthead wife committed suicide dues to lack funds.
I joined the queens own highlanders territorial at 17 after suffering from osteomyelitis in my ankle which resulted in part of bone removed and fought lie mad to get fit to join and gave it a year and went to camp a few times at fort George but the ankle problem came back and I got discharged but thoroughly enjoyed the good lads I was with so I always wish I had made it longer but hey ho and big huge respect to all who serve and the SAS 👏👌
As a former front line combat veteran, I have total respect to you. Excellent videos and just subscribed to your videos.
Fantastic video log that has defined British history. Thank you Rusty.
More to come mate TSFE included
Thank you so much for this, I’m 18 and want to push myself in life and get out my comfort zone. Watching these videos help my understand fully the importance in life of enduring and overcoming pain and discomfort.
That story about the decoy Bedofrd Rusty, I was talking to some mates about Dislocation of Expectation just the other other day and told them a story with the exact same scenario. Morale destroyer but also a great training tool.
Thank you for your no nonsense , matter of fact style . I have no military experience whatsoever , but , if I had my time again , I am minded to maybe have gone for this - for many young men (and women) , it is a chance to realise their potential . Thank you to you , and your colleagues , for what you have done for our country + community - most of which we will never know of . My respects to you all . Vale .
The first and only time I ever met John was on a CQB course at Eastmere, in true fashion he told us “ youz lot can run for miles but youz haven’t got the strength to pull your arses through a fook”ing window “ that’s when I started running less and hit the gym to lift weights !!!!! Respect for Ulster 🇬🇬🇬🇧
Rip John you are all the best and all in my heart you’re the best I will always have your side and backs
Loving these videos Rusty. Been a long time lover and follower of our forces in general, but in particular the Marines, SAS/SBS. Spent a lot of years watching and reading about past ops etc and only just came across your channel. Loving it! Reading about the successes of the Iranian Embassy, Battle of Mirbat, Operation Barras and many many more makes me proud of you guys. Glad there are men like you as I could not do it.
7-21: 'Lofty' - Lofty Wiseman?
How did you prepare for pre selection and the course its self phys wise?
It’s in an earlier video I did last week take a look
Well done mate 👏👍👌🙌
May God bless you Rusty. Jesus is Lord.
May God bless you Rusty. Jesus is Lord.
May God bless you Rusty. Jesus is Lord.
Is it just me or can any one else see a bit of paul mcartney in this man his eyes and voice
Rusty, out of interest, do a lot of lads get RTU'd once badged after the 6 months selection prior to the end of their 2 year probation period, or once you get the beret you are more or less there for good?
Also, as you mentioned in one of your previous videos, G squadron is predominantly a Guards squadron, so did all Guarsdmen get automatically drafted into that one? If so was there more tick tock than the other Sabre squadrons?
Thanks in advance
No G squadron operates the same as others it has to, to be successful.
Brilliant rusty😁👍👏👏👏
The 8 thumbs down were from the Walter Mittys who failed the kit inspection on day 1 .
Nah! The thumbs down are the people who don't like the name mentioned of a charged paedophile who was on the run from the British police for the last few years of his life.
Respect - we are the pilgrims Master..
I applied to join the Infantry when I was 16 (and a handful) which required a couple of references including one from my ex-army father. And so ended my military career. Haha. At 23 I didn't realise I could make another application and so considered joining the Foreign Legion, but couldn't bring myself to fight for anyone else.
Love you buddy
Ok Rusty.
I had the pleasure of knowing Jonny Mac.
He used to catch the bus out to withington to see my Nan, Jon to see someone you probably know also, Tosh Axxn?
You know Jim Lxxxs, is it Jim Yxxxg?
Jon preistly? You obviously know Bob Curry.
Wha great set of vlogs rusty,wel done you.your a legend.respect sir😁👍👏👏👏
I am a former 60th KRRC Rifleman I had the honour of meeting Peter McAleese on two occasions. I have never forgotten his kindness and personal courtesy to me, an old Rifleman. May he Rest In Peace.
Fascinating. What a ball breaker for John but he made it in the end.👍
Yes but he did 6 months later
Hi Rusty, did Scotty (Macca) have an injury before 77, cos I'm sure he was there in 76, if I remember rightly, he had a Jaguar with what looked like parachute harnesses as seat belts !. Another lad, can't remember his name had a hearse, used to sleep in the back when he was out on the raz'.
Your donev great rusty, hard to get your bareings in the mist ,brilliant stuff 😉😀
Thanks rusty good luck mate your doing. A good job all the best
You have such good recall, Rusty. You're not rusty at all, Rusty!
No I’m me but I was There easy-
@@RustyFirminSASTV Rusty. This was a very informative insight into the selection of several decades ago (probably unchanged fundamentally since the formation of 22 SAS. With regard to pin pointing your exact location on the map the DS on the hills phase, I actually thought that was a further test if nav accuracy. It makes sense, however, that it is to ensure candidates don't mark a map. Lastly, with regard to the maintenance of Burgen weight, if a candiaite can not make up weight with natural materials, then how is that achieved when you will naturally shed weight between RVs from consumption of foid and water?
@@garryharriman7349 they will chuck a big rock in your bergen to make weight and probably give you a gypsy
Do you have to run with the 55 lbs or can you march quickly?
I came off two days before long drag but nice to hear it was more of the same :)
just came about your channel by chance . have now subbed. all the best .
Great video Rusty. What was your patrol skill? Were you in boat troop?
Is Pete Winner alive and well?
Pete’s fine I’ll. e speaking to him soon.
Skills I was a linguist, patrol medic, demolitionist name but a few
Mobility troop
upgrade your microphone please I have external speakers and I still cannot hear you. sorry mate
Rusty why do you and Eddie don't do one togher
Just the name pen- y-fan brings a smile to my face good ole days, wasnt a smile back then i tell ya
It was a smile to me and fond memories.
We’re you SAS then?
made of steel rusty proud of men like you
Great stuff Rusty 👍
I remember Mac on a RUclips vid with Eddie Stone, Tell a story of a guy with Bergen burns on his back and you rubbing white spirit into the burns Rusty, you obviously forgot to tell him to tape em up instead.I have to say me and my pal were pissing ourselves at the devilment of the thing. 🤙
That’s how to do it
Brilliant thank you Rusty.
Keep them coming.
It's just a shame that all you lads in UKSF don't push yourself just that little bit further to don the coveted blue berret of the RAF. You still did good though! Garry Harriman. RAF, 1987-2006! 🇬🇧
AALF
this is absolutely brilliant is there a part 11 ??? .Al
What is
@@RustyFirminSASTV your channel it's absolutely brilliant and also very interesting. Al
More today
@@RustyFirminSASTV your channel should most definitely have more subscribers, I will give a shout-out on my channel for sure
Thanks it’s only a few weeks old
These facts are just amazing; it's better than any book. I literally stopped breathing a few times just to hear the next word coming.
More to call me
@@RustyFirminSASTV Thank you Sir 🎯
Start and finish point of long drag is talybont resevoir
My mate's ex III Para & is more than capable of passing selection, he just hasn't done the course...
@Raj Maj Lots of Para Reg lads are also successful, along with Royal Signals, Royal Engineers, Royal Marines, Physical training instructors and RAF Regiment - the list is endless...
@Raj Maj He might need to brush up on his map reading skills, beyond that it's up to the DS whether his face fits or not...
Very enjoyable once again. What would you have eaten for breakfast to fuel you for these distances Rusty?
Full English and a bat ha loads of tea.
@@RustyFirminSASTV HA HA, nice one, when's the next vlog mate?
I remember reading snappers book 'soldier I' he described John Mac as "a tough of s Scot as they come"
That incident in Hong Kong when he was flogged
@@nige3801 what was that?
@@joedimaggio3146 snapper got in a fight and used a knuckle duster to finish it quickly. He was over with the regiment training Hong Kong police and the authorities were furious he was carrying such a weapon on a night out. He was sentenced to the barbaric punishment of a large stick broken across his backside, many times. He apparently needed all his strength and resolve to get through it, the pain was outrageous . It is described in the book soldier I and he was hospitalised for two weeks.
@@nige3801 cheers mate, will give it a read
Only thing missing from that flag is Northern Ireland
Rapid 101 ssssshhhhhhh the regiment were never really there. Lolol. 😂