SENTINEL PROJECTS INTERVIEW FORMAT

SENTINEL PROJECTS

INTERVIEW FORMAT

GENERAL INTERVIEW FORMAT

General Considerations

These are a set of general questions of the type that I have followed in conducting interviews with people who have been willing to provide me with accounts of their SADF experiences for publication in `Sentinel Projects' publications. I try to make the questions as `leading' and as open ended as possible. I generally try to get as much material in the original words of the contributor as possible. Avoid the temptation of getting into discussion while gathering an account of someone's national service - certainly note down such points for discussion later, which is often fertile ground to record, but try to get as much of the initial interview in a chronological sequence as possible. The questions look very dry, but I hope they would/will serve to get one's thoughts going. One can always come back and add bits later.

THE QUESTIONS

A CHRONOLOGICAL NARRATIVE

BEFORE REPORTING

Any relevant family history, either of ancestors having served in some military capacity, or of the expectations created by older brothers, cousins etc.

What were your thoughts when you faced reporting for national service?

Did you have any desire to evade it, by going overseas or any other means?

What preparations did you do in the weeks and days prior to reporting for national service? Efforts to get fit enough?

INITIAL

Describe your thoughts and experiences as the time came to report for national service, saying goodbye to loved ones the journey to your training camp arrival at camp the orientation period kit issue division into platoons division into living quarters.

What was exactly what you expected?

What took you by surprise, either (a) positively or (b) negatively.

Describe the most interesting people that you had dealings with, either in your platoon, your accommodation, or amongst your instructors.

TRAINING

Basic Training

How did your basic training differ from what you had expected?

How did your basic training differ from what you believe other people in other units did?

What did you enjoy - hate - find interesting?

Any humorous moments or events?

Any interesting or bizarre people you met?

Subsequent Training:

[Repeat the following for each module or course that you did]

How did you get to do this training - you applied?

What made you apply for this training.

If you had no choice, what efforts did you go to to get on to another course.

What did the course involve?

How well was it structured and taught?

What did you like - hate - find interesting?

Any humorous moments or events?

Any interesting or bizarre people you met?

GENERAL SERVICE

[Repeat the following for each deployment that you did]

Is there any story to how your got this posting?

What were your expectations?

Describe your journey, arrival and orientation.

What were your duties?

What did you like - hate - find interesting?

Any humorous moments or events?

Any interesting or bizarre people you met?

KLAARING OUT

Describe your experiences during the last month or so of your two years initial service.

Describe your experience of the procedure of klaaring out.

How was it to be a civvy again?

What difficulties did you have making this transition.

CAMPS

How soon after the completion of your initial two years service were you called up for your first camp?

[Repeat the following for each deployment that you did]

What were you doing when you were called up?

What efforts, if any did you go to to get yourself deferred?

Describe your experience of reporting for duty

What did you like - hate - find interesting?

Any humorous moments or events?

Any interesting or bizarre people you met?

Describe your experience of `klaaring out' of the camp and reintegration into society.

TRANSITION TO SANDF & ABOLITION OF CONSCRIPTION

How did you learn of any/the change in your military obligations when conscription was abolished?

What factors influenced your decision about whether to continue to serve voluntarily, or whether to end your association with the new SANDF?

THEMES

Many people come up with anecdotes relating to their experiences of the following themes:

English vs. Afrikaans

National Service vs. Permanent Force

Scams and Corruption

Discipline

Interesting characters you met

The most implausible story that you know to be true (because it happened to you).

The attitude of the South African population (and different factions) towards national service and to military personnel.

Beliefs held about any of the following:

Koevoet

Swapo

The ANC and MK

Special Forces

I would be very grateful if anyone would suggest any interesting lines of inquiry that I have omitted from this list.

Published: 1 July 2000. Here is a shortcut back to Sentinel Projects Home Page.