Steiner got a bit excited and booked for Jedburgh, then realised and apologised.
I'm going to refund it.
Thing is, he applied for a Jedburgh place, which raises the question, do we think he can hack it? And the further question, who don't we think can hack it if they do apply.
Given that Webby dropped out early on Sunday because he ran out of steam...as did Ranj...
S
Ranj went outside because of the smoke, or so he told me.
I think Webby is cursed by the girls he insists on bringing with him, Carly is a bit of a lightweight, as was that know it all Heb.
We need to find a way of letting people know it's going to be tough going, especially for the Jeds, because any walts are just going to flake out after 6 hours and feck the event up. But we need to do it without scaring people away as well!
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
I chatted to Andy on MSN last night, and I did ask him if he realised how much hard work being a Jed was going to be - and if he thought he was fit enough for it....
When we were a Kingdom it was run by a King
When we were an Empire it was run by an Empress
Now we're a country we're run by a..........
It's more about mental toughness than physically (but that does help!). I'm no fitter than the next man but, I'm a stubborn little bastard who doesn't give up.
Looking at our memberlist, I'm having a hard time picking out my "dream" Jed's list! The SAS side is easier, as it's less taxing.
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
OK, let's make a list.....I'll have a think.
Is Andy unsuitable for Jeds? He's a hopeless commander but I have never seen him baulk nor retire early.
Definitely have to get across to Webby (tactfully) that he will be best off without Carly.
Neille Blume was asking me this morning when he can book as a Jed so that he can start getting fighting fit. He is still recovering from his knee op!
I'd be happy to have Steiner in a Jed squad. He didn't quit at CR, unlike many. I think Neil and Webby would be far better suited as SAS troopers frankly.
The only person who leaps to mind as a Jed is my Brother!
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
My list of people I think could handle it, taken from our membership list, quite a few Germans in there!
Andy Kneale Steiner
Derek Scott JD
Scott Hawkins Snyper
Carl Sanderson Fandanglos
Che Sanderson Che
Richard Vaughan Lardassmonkey
Martin Sole BedsnHerts
Anthony Gregory Porta
Jon Steele jon steele
Chris Tarpey tarpey
Steve Ashworth sgtash
Dean Armistead Lipton
Alex Berry Tyreal
Sandy Logan stof
Not a bad list Steve. But, Lardy! He's not up to it, he was flaking out at the end of my last training day.
Just spoke to Stu and he's well up for being a Jed. He's even started running on his treadmill!
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
I've never played alongside Lardy, but he always struck me as having his head screwed on. Fair enough if he's a fabast.
Nor Del, never seen him exert himself!
But I can see Pete's differentiation here between fitness and mental attitude. The site ain't that colossal, nor their tasks even remotely as tough as a real military exercise, mentally or physically. But they have got be be able to work and sleep in weather that is just as likely to be baking hot as cold and wet and put up with being uncomfortable for 24hrs. Its a challenge that some players will aspire to - hell, I do, yet I couldn't even stand the damp down the Drakelow tunnels! - but will the reality be that they give up after six hours of being piss wet through?
So, here's the thing. If we ended up with a Churchills again then we will have failed to address the issues. What we must do is assume that the Jeds DO wimp out and therefore must ensure any game plan hinges on the SAS/German interaction. The Jeds are an additional factor not crucial to the smooth running of the weekend but an addition to it, icing on the cake.
Hmmm, weird....I cut Del out of the list I thought I'd copied and pasted.....
Nevermind.
match the scenario to the players , not wish for the players we might might not have. Jon Steele is getting married so him and Steve Ashworth may not be there.
My suggestion...allow them all ot book as SAS and then look for volunteers for the extra Jed cadre ? Might be a gentle way of letting people down , and if you get more wanting to be Jeds then match them up accordingly .If everyone who books is Jed material then the scenario can be toughened up to reflect this ?
Yes, good plan!
I like it. It's one of the things I'll be keeping an eye on at the training day as well. Anyone who won't cut the mustard as a Jed', I'll quietly suggest they take the "softer" option of SAS (first time I've ever used "SAS" as a "soft option"!).
As a footnote to "hacking it", I've just taken the dog for a walk, carrying my rucksack with a weekends' worth of kit in it and, glad to say, I didn't have a heart attack! Might be an idea to lead by example, I suppose!
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
I would seriously suggest going to IEDs E&E at CLun in April with Jay to see how they do it .
But we aren't running an E&E....
don't bother then if we think we have nothing to learn ...just a suggestion .
I've been put off by tales of Ed's balls, stringing from trees and dunking in buckets of cold water. I have enough of that stuff at home! 
