A Royal Marines major who was a member of the bearer party for the Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin has denied telling a teenage trainee who is believed to have taken his own life that he was the “worst recruit” and a “failure”.
I'm guessing he wasn't a failure, then?
Oh...
Clark’s family believe his death was avoidable and are concerned about how he was treated by trainers and fellow recruits.
At the start of his inquest in Exeter, his mother, Tracy, said he was kind, generous, thoughtful and selfless. He loved rugby and had decided aged 13 he wanted to be a marine. Clark was taking part in a four-week course called recruit orientation phase (ROP) at the commando training centre in Lympstone in the summer of 2021. He had struggled with his “personal administration” – a military term for keeping uniform, kit and locker in order – and was frightened at losing a piece of equipment, a blank firing attachment.
Sound like he was indeed a failure. Was he not supposed to be pulled up for it, then?
Why are people reluctant to state 'These are the required standards. You're not meeting them'? How else are you supposed to know?
Thrift, who described himself as a “father figure”, told the inquest that it had not crossed his mind that a cut Clark had on his arm could have been self-inflicted, saying he had believed the teenager’s story that he fell against a radiator.
So he's to be castigated as well for believing the recruit when he told a lie?
4 comments:
Stories like this are the result of the all must have prizes culture. Kids grow up to think they can do anything as well as everyone else and when they meet the real word they have harsh lessons to learn.
But as they are now over 18 nobody cares, they simply can't cope and haven't learnt the ability to pick themselves up after failure, adapt and move on. So they take the easy way out.
Even if you warn people (especially young people) of how tough or distressing matters might be they just don't believe 'bad things' can happen to them.
When you are brought up believing that you are wonderful and everyone must win prizes then reality can be a big shock.
He had joined the armed forces, for goodness' sake. If he could not handle hurtful words from his officer, then it's unlikely he would have responded well to having enemies try to kill him.
Arguably, it would be worth looking at recruitment procedures with a view to weeding out such people more effectively but surely no blame ought to attach to the major.
@Barbarus On the contrary they are encouraging this and actively seeking out people with mental illnesses for the army over more stable people.
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