NZ'er wanting to join parachute regiment

[kiwi_one]

Hello

Im Andy, been a driver in the NZ army for coming on 20 months now.

Its been my dream for years to become a brit para, I only joined the NZ army because I got in and I thought it would improve my chances of becoming a para.And at 17 I wasnt quite ready for moving to a strange place thousands of km's away

I've just received the application pack, but im a bit worried about one thing. It is- I will go over there for the application process, spend literally thousands and thousands of dollars. (probably $12k min, which is about 5-6 thousand pounds) Then get rejected.

So...what are my chances of getting accepted? Im 19 almost 20, I keep reasonably fit but would train my arse before para selection, as I said Ive been in the NZ army for 20 months. Ive got car,motorbike,heavy vehicle, and almost plane licences. And I am in good health etc.

What percentage of applicants get rejected roughly?

Any ideas? Encouraging thoughts?

Thanks

[Tab]

kwiw_one. When I did the P Course it was about 70% but that was a long , long time ago. The Paras these days are a very international Regiment with dozens of people from many of the old Commonwealth Countries in it. Getting in is just a matter of wanting to do it and not falling out from any of the tasks

[AequitasBellum]

Hey

I came over from NZ to join the Marines (which every knows is much harder than the paras ). I just thought I should mention that I've been here for 7 months now waiting to get in. I passed my PRMC in September and start recruit training in March. Thats all due to it taking ages for me to get security clearance, and I was even born in Britain. So you might need to be prepared to do selection, then go back to NZ and wait about for a while before you get to join up.
If you are fit and already have arny experience you should be able to make it.
Good luck anyway

Mark

[jcclimber]

Hi kiwi_one

I'm a South African off to start training for Paras in March. The easiest thing you can do is apply via the overseas recruiting cell. This includes getting relevant medical info, police clearance etc. Once you have done this they will send you a letter asking you to come over to complete that application. This also saves you hassles with medical info which slows down many applicants. The big thing is organising a job and accomodation once you get over here. You'll need roughly £400 deposit and +/-£350 for a room upfront. I landed on 5 Nov. and finished RSC on 24 Jan. That gives you an idea of the length of the process. PM me for any questions. Good luck.

[Marine62]

Yeh im starting on the 12th March.I did selection up at Glencorse for the Paras.Was'nt hard at all did pull ups,static lift,dynamic lift and ammo box lifting on the first day and then on the second did 1.5 mile run and then did team tasks.All straight forward and it is'nt hard untill training

[kiwi_one]

Thanks for the info fellas, sorry for the late reply

Does anyone have a link/list of the para trained trades/carrers? The paras seem to be very discreet.

What is an average day for a para like? Do you do trade training most of the time or paratrooper training? Sorry I dont know much, as I said they seem to be rathar discreet.


Thanks jcclimber ill PM you later on.

[Tab]

The Paras are infantry soldiers full stop, now with the trades you can join that trade then apply to join the Paras if they have a need for that trade. If they do you will do a couple weeks on a P Course and if you are successful then you progress to your para training and on to the Regiment that way. You will get your wings and Beret but you will still wear your own units badge in your beret rather than the silver wings of the Para's

Below is a link of what the course is like the video last for some 50 minutes and all though it is about 20 years old the training methods are much the same, so if you have broadband then it is worth having a look.

http://www.channel4.com/fourdocs/archiv ... layer.html

[hc00]

Here is a working link (above link is shortened and not working for me at least)

[Marine62]

Yeh seems good.Funny at the end though when he says "thank f*ck for that".
Cheers for the link

[letsrole]

Looks bloody painful on the log race when those two guys are getting dragged down that hill because they fall. And those are stones they are getting pulled accross not leaves! lol

[Marine62]

Don't it just.I did 1.5 mile log race down at Colchester and i tell you that was bloody painfull.I kept my team motivated though and we did pass it.However we had a few people who dropped off.The idea is to work as a team if ya get ya whole team on a log and not fall off it will be easier but when the numbers start to drop off thats when it makes it harder for you but you plod and remember pain is only temporary, victory is forever.Whoever made that saying up is a genius

[got1]

Log Race a long time ago, can still feel that toggle in my hand

[Tab]

Got 1 many years ago it used to be a telegraph pole rather than a log and we would go down to the tank testing grounds used to be a mud pit which had a huge N shape obstacle which was mainly under water. This obstacle was made from corrugated Iron and was completely covered so it was black as black inside. Now you had to drag the pole inside this obstacle then push across into the arm of the N drag it up that arm push it across again then drag it out. At the end of December it was not a fun thing to do amongst all that ice, then when you got back you had scrub you kit and get it clean and then try to iron it dry as there were no radiators and it was not considered cold enough for you to have coal for the stove, and we were to shagged to go out to steal any.

[81mm]

log race a killer, but thought the stretcher race around the tank tracks when it was knee deep in mud was worse, also the fire hydrant on hankly common was a bit of a t##t. but the milling was good, win loose or draw .

[Paratrooper01]

Log - everyones favourite event. Hardest event on p-coy by far. Just pure pain and agony. Just got to stay on it and put everything into it.

Great memories for all serving and ex reg.