Will I Fit In With The Paras?

[I love beasting]

My recruiting officer told me at my last interview for the paras that due to my decent A levels & I seem to be 'well read' that I wouldn't fit in with the lads in the Paras. He said most of them were thugs and would not enjoy a night out unless they had a punch up.

I understand that you need to be a tough SOB to make the grade but one of the reasons im signing up is to move away and make great lifelong drinking buddies...what do you reckon guys?

(oh and appologies for my prev. posting was a little over the mark)

[df2inaus]

I met a guy in the TA who was told the same thing at the AFCO, they said he was too nice for the Paras. Same story, a switched-on, keen sixth-former, but not right somehow. He was told to go Royal Marines instead.

Read Marijuana Time by Ken Lukowiak, he was told he'd never pass, it just made him more determined, but he's probably one of very few people in that boat to pass.

[got1]

The next time you get that sort of info from the recruiting officer, ask them if they failed P Coy. It should be good for a laugh.

[Ploggers]

Sounds like you run up against an anti-para recruiting officer.

I know a good many ex-paras well, some are indeed thugs. Some are average, some are intelligent guys. They are all fiercely proud of their time in the paras and and are a determined bunch.

It never fails to amaze me that people try an assume a generalisation for any given group of people. At the risk of repeating, yet again, what has been said by many on this forum; all of these elite units are filled with normal people who have the "right stuff" and determination.

Stop looking for holes to put pegs into.

[RobT]

Dont belive the hype

There i said it again!

[Cobalt]

Don't believe him. I've met Para's of all types of attitudes. Some were right knobbers where as some were real good eggs. One Cpl in particular (a medic, I think) was one of the nicest people you could ever meet. By just talking to him you'd think he was a presenter on Songs of Praise.

[Tab]

I can tell you as fact they are a great bunch of chaps, lads from our Company later went on to achieve succes at many levels, several became peers of the realm, one became the minister of defence, another became a mutli millioniare. others excelled in business and nearly every one has made a succes of his life. I think some of this is due to the confidence gained in the Regiment, you soon learned to stand your ground and not not take to any crap from any one, and NO I never saw any bullying in the Regiment.

[hoax]

My recruiting officer told me at my last interview for the paras that due to my decent A levels & I seem to be 'well read' that I wouldn't fit in with the lads in the Paras. He said most of them were thugs and would not enjoy a night out unless they had a punch up.

I understand that you need to be a tough SOB to make the grade but one of the reasons im signing up is to move away and make great lifelong drinking buddies...what do you reckon guys?

(oh and appologies for my prev. posting was a little over the mark)

Eh man, my recruiting sgt has been telling me the same crap, that i should go university, not try join army straight away, i think what theyr ealy want to is, have u really got the determination and you are serious about the army, i said no, i wanna join straight away, he tone changed, he became more friendlier, (2nd informal meeting) unlike first time.. he was very cold

[Boxingmad]

It's unfortunate that there seems to be this image of the Paras as violent thugs who go around randomly beating up people, and films like "Dead Man's Shoes" don't help either. However all the posts on here seem to be in agreement that you get all sorts in the reg, from the nutty mad ones to the quieter more thoughtful types. However, when asked to do their jobs, all do it the way that para reg expects them to.
Sounds to me that the AFCO is a bit anti-para. Go to www.army.mod.uk/para and there's info on what to do if you are being told you aren't cut out for it.

[mfat_man]

My recruiting officer told me at my last interview for the paras that due to my decent A levels & I seem to be 'well read' that I wouldn't fit in with the lads in the Paras. He said most of them were thugs and would not enjoy a night out unless they had a punch up.

I understand that you need to be a tough SOB to make the grade but one of the reasons im signing up is to move away and make great lifelong drinking buddies...what do you reckon guys?

(oh and appologies for my prev. posting was a little over the mark)

Hi mate

I had a similar PM from someone else a while back. I didn't work with Paras in the field but this is my tuppance worth

My best mate is ex 3 Para. He did 9 years and loved much of it although hated it at the same time! He's never regretted it and thinks like I do that everyone should do some time in.

He got an A level in maths, joined up in the ranks and should really have been an Officer but was too much of a rebel As a person he's hard as nails but the brightest person I know as well - I guess you generally have be quite hard, but only you know the question to that one.

Why not consider 9 Para>? These guys are the enginners and will get a trade behind them, they helped me a lot in the early days of MFAT as did Para's generally

Here's the link to the article my friend wrote hope you find it useful

http://www.mfat.co.uk/units.php?page=units6

[Boxingmad]

It's one of mine too. It was just that I thought the sight of a traumatised ex-Para going on the rampage wouldn't sit well with a positive image the regiment wants.

The film is superb though. One of the best British films in years I think.

Herbie: "Can I help ya mate?"
Richard: "Sorry?"
Herbie: "What the f@ck ya looking at?"
Richard: "YOU YA C***T!!"

Brilliant.

[Paratrooper]

I got a BCC in my A-levels, joined straight up after 6th form and am currently serving in 2 para

[leej_hunt]

I got the same thing when i went to join up. I ended up joining REME. Guess what my recruitment sgt was REME. Ive been in 2 years and dont enjoy it. Currently in the process of transfering.

So listen to what people have to say but always make your own decisions and do what YOU really want!!

Good Luck!!