Hi RNMA,
Thanks for your comments

and I think I ought to point out that despite the fact that
my sort :lol: could be dispatched to the glasshouse (which I was warned about when I joined the ROC) if indiscreet and got caught,
I have discovered from these guys that on messdecks people were usually a lot more tolerant and protective that you might think - in the bad old days! 8) The key element, as with any organisation, is to fit in. As a gay man you simply have try harder and make yourself indispensible to the team so you'd be missed. You could argue that this should not be necessary - well maybe - but it can also make you a better, nicer person than you might have been but for fancying blokes.
I was too scared to 'come out' in the ROC when I finally realised the so-called "gay adolescent phase" wasn't going to go away and when the avertion therapy had failed. When I joined the RNXS when it was still a crime to be gay in the forces, there was no problem about it from the ex-matelots, though some of the civvy recruits have profound problems with it. I kept my mouth shut - simple, though a bit frustrating. When we were disbanded I was invited to transfer into the RNR (NCS was my speciality: Comms & Ops Room duties) and at that point could no longer carry on the pretense, So I declined - though I made an excuse about being in a reserved occupation - not a problem actually, my employer has always been positive about staff being in the reserve forces.

I am sorry I missed a spell of basic training at Raleigh as I'd have enjoyed it

(barring kit musters

) but that's life.
Anyway as both Slim and Higgy have pointed out,
this is Diamond Lil's and here almost anything goes, as
Sailbad the Sinner is a mature, experienced, non-interventionist moderator. Not sure what he's experienced in though :roll:

I think you'll find that us gays here can stand up for ourselves - after all, being
religion's scapegoat is part of everyday life for us anyway.
I used to love having verbal wrestling matches

with Lingy on his topic! Please contribute in the debate however RNMA. It great fun, albeit tiring at times! :twisted:
Steve.
PS: Andy: despite being a shirtlifter, I'd quite fancy Rosie instructing me in MIXED water polo! I'd obviously want my coach IN the water showing me how to manouvre and doing all she could to get the ball off me - perhaps I would dispense with the ear protectors and tight fitting trunks!!!

:lol: Now there's an idea - a Rumration Water polo team - MIXED to challenge the Pongos...?