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Notes From a Small Military

Notes From a Small Military

by Major - General Chip Chapman (Author)

  • Used

    Hardcover 2013

    $3.51
Synopsis

Stumbling from a university anarchist meeting into a career in the army, Chip Chapman is aware of how consciously incompetent he is. The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst confirms his worst fears. He is eventually let loose on 6 Platoon of 2 PARA and, via the Falklands War, manages to elevate himself to a position of conscious competence and save his career. Snapshots on all aspects of military life, and government decision making, show the military at work and play. This hilarious, touching, informative and thought-provoking insight into a generation of soldiering in the late 20th century and beyond is set against the drumbeat of the social, cultural, legal and educational rhythms of the age, and the change from the certainties of the Cold War to the nihilism of 9/11. Chip Chapman eventually manages to somehow climb the greasy pole to become a General. With echoes of David Niven's The Moon's a Balloon, Lesley Thomas' Virgin Soldiers and the travelogues of Bill Bryson, Chapman captures the rawness, spirit and fortitude of the soldier and soldiering in both peace and war.

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More Information

Format: Hardcover
 Pages: 288
 Edition: First Edition
 Publisher: John Blake Publishing Ltd
Published: 09 Sep 2013
ISBN 10: 1782194665
ISBN 13: 9781782194668

Author Bio
Major-General Chapman joined the British Army in September 1980 after sponsorship at Lancaster University. He joined 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (2 PARA) and fought in the Falklands campaign, including the Battle of Goose Green. He stayed with 2 PARA until May 1985, which included his first Northern Ireland (NI) tour in South Armagh. He was an instructor on the Platoon Commander's Division before returning to 2 PARA as the Adjutant. In 1989 - 90, he served on exchange with the Canadian Airborne Regiment prior to attending UK Staff College at Camberley in 1991. On graduation, he became Chief of Staff 5 Airborne Brigade. In 1994, he returned to 2 PARA as a company commander for an 18-month operational tour in Belfast, prior to becoming 2IC 1 PARA. He was promoted to Lt Col in March 1996. He served on the directing staff at both the British Army Staff College and the UK Joint Services Command and Staff College. In July 1998, he became SO1 Operations in NI and went on to command 2 PARA from August 1999 - December 2001. His tour as CO included a NI reinforcement tour and the weapons collection mission (OP BESSEMER) in Macedonia. He was promoted to Colonel in December 2001 and appointed Colonel Military Operations 2 in the MoD (dealing with Counter Terrorism). As a Brigadier, he commanded 19 Mech Bde from 2003 - 2005, prior to becoming the last COS in NI (his fifth NI tour). In this role, he planned the conclusion of the 38-year OP BANNER (the UK NI operation). He was Head of Counter Terrorism and UK Operations in the MoD from 2007 - 2010. His final tour was as senior adviser to US Central Command in Florida.