democracy

[coronat]

I was part of the last national service intake and stayed on as a camper for 9 months thereafter. I remember being involved in "security" during the first democtatic elections and being put on full alert with an R5 and all of 5 rounds, (could have done more damage with the wire cutters than the rounds provided) we had a couple of minor incidents at Voortrekker...I guess being what it was it was a target for the anti racist movement, even being based at 1 mil (a safe haven by most standards) was as I remember equivalent to the old saying "may you live in interesting times"!...the funny thing is when I moved back to my home town and got involved with the local commando I saw more live fire in the first month of crime prevention than I had in 2 years during my national service (the mining riots in Rtb being a case in point...hostels are a bastard to clear)...was exhilirating but also scary, at least I was sure that what we were doing was for the greater good though. Many many night op's (yawn...), chopper road blocks and Ratel/Samel excursions, really surprised me that civvie life held more dangers than life in the weermag..

[fishclint]

I was part of the last national service intake and stayed on as a camper for 9 months thereafter. I remember being involved in "security" during the first democtatic elections and being put on full alert with an R5 and all of 5 rounds, (could have done more damage with the wire cutters than the rounds provided) we had a couple of minor incidents at Voortrekker...I guess being what it was it was a target for the anti racist movement, even being based at 1 mil (a safe haven by most standards) was as I remember equivalent to the old saying "may you live in interesting times"!...the funny thing is when I moved back to my home town and got involved with the local commando I saw more live fire in the first month of crime prevention than I had in 2 years during my national service (the mining riots in Rtb being a case in point...hostels are a bastard to clear)...was exhilirating but also scary, at least I was sure that what we were doing was for the greater good though. Many many night op's (yawn...), chopper road blocks and Ratel/Samel excursions, really surprised me that civvie life held more dangers than life in the weermag..

Agreed! Although I did join the army as things were winding down, so I did not get to see any military action!

I joined the SA Police (1991-97) after doing my National Service!

Car chases, shoot outs, house penetrations and much more were daily life in the cops! Great times!