Just to clarify a minor point:
Still, if this classic Youtube clip is anything to go by, even amphibious assault can have it’s problems........
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=D-eeGl7Ydx8
Perhaps if the MOD bean counter has seen this, he’ll scrap the Marines and get us to catch a bus to the battlefield......
This isn't the Corps, this was someone (I forget who, although someone on YouTube suggests RA - any spotters might be able to tell from the flashes visible at 1min58 and 2min57) who thought they'd have a crack at our job
Sportbilly, I'm disappointed in you
To clarify another point which has come up both here and in that pissing contest that was locked in the Army section. Both the Paras and the Corps are generally held to be the 'elite' infantry units of the British Armed Forces. That's partly due to the training, partly due to the media, and partly due to past honours. SF are of course elite soldiers/units, but they are not infantry units in the same sense. Just to clear up any confusion here - a post earlier suggested there may be some - neither the Paras nor the Corps are classed as Special Forces, although they do provide the majority of SF manpower (Paras to SAS, Bootnecks to SB as a rule, tho of course cross-pollination is starting to creep in). None of that detracts from the fine job done by every other unit in the Forces. If we're sticking to infantry, would you really fancy your chances, even if you were a Para/Bootneck, of taking on say the Royal Irish in a pitched battle?
There's absolutely no point comparing the Corps and the Paras as to who's better etc etc. Both are excellent fighting forces, in my experience Paras are a little more arrogant and look down on 'hats', but that's part of what gives them that little edge. The Corps is more welcoming of attatched ranks. But that's just my experience - I've met plenty of Paras who respect others as equals, and I've met Bootnecks who are arrogant enough to look down on any other regiment. It is a different mentality, but who is to say one's better than the other? To the people who suggested the Paras are more demanding, I'd hasten to disagree - both courses are extremely tough, and a large part of the material is common to both. And if I couldn't have another Bootneck next to me when the shit hits the fan, I'd happily take a Para. Finally, whoever said the Paras are more of a family, again I'd say that exists to at least the same, if not a greater extent in the Corps. Any ex or serving Bootneck will tell you the Corps is one great family, you can't go anywhere without bumping into lads you know. But again, it's impossible to say which is closer blah blah.
"A Bootneck is an educated thug, whereas a Para is your basic shaved-ape thug."
Sorry, couldn't resist just a little dig. The rivalry exists because there's the healthy competition. There's competition because the two are so close in standards. You cannot say one is better than the other. Endex.
Incidentally, going back to the point about Paras being phased out, there was a break (still ongoing?) in jumps for new recruits, I don't know the ins and outs of it, budgets or needing to get manpower to the units or whatever, but it does go to show that it's not seen as an essential element of even Para training any more. If it does phase out it will be interesting to see whether the Paras rebadge or not, or even are assimilated - the capbadge and wings is such a huge part of their identity (as our beret is to us) it's hard to see how the Regt could thrive without it. Believe it or not, although very proud of their wings, parachuting ain't all that, and I certainly wouldn't want to do it into battle (and yes I am qualified to comment before anyone gets on their high horse) - I think it's the symbolism and the unity rather than the actual act that is important. But can you keep that if your recruits aren't actually jump-trained? Although I'm sure it will be many years before we see it phased out entirely, if at all, it's a worrying prospect - no-one would want to see the end of the Regt, although many might not admit it
And lads, mentioning no names, there seems to be a resurgence of duff info from people who know it all before they've even stepped through the AFCO door. When you're advising others, try and stick to what you know as fact rather than what you heard from a mate of a mate of the walt down your local. Otherwise you end up with more locked threads
