Difference between paras and marines

[kiwi_one]

Heeeello

Im from NZ and I have very little knowledge about the UK military so be gentle

Im very interested in becoming a para in the nearish future, I was talking to an old ex-brit fella about it who was in the navy years ago. And he asked me if I had given the marines a thought. I had always thought the marines was very similar to the navy but he told me different. And Ive been looking around the net about it but they both dont like telling you to much.

So....whats are the main differences between a para and a marine commando? I know a para parachutes but apart from that.

Is training longer/harder for para or marines?

Is one harder to get into?

Thanks in advance

[JoJo82]

Para - maroon

RM - Green

Para - Jumps out of planes leaving his stomach behind

Marine - runs round a ship at occasional times jumpin ginto small boats and raiding other boats.

I think RM's get more of a choice of what/where they want to do things plus more oppotunities open up.

[longrifle]

The following will hold pretty much true whether you're talking UK, US, or any other country of orgin.

Paratroopers. The most rapidly deployable light infantry force. Sustainment can become an issue though, unless the nation deploying them dedicates alot of the transport aircraft they have to rienforcing the airhead. Not always an option.

Marines. The most rapidly deployable light infantry force that can usually be sustained for any length of time. If they have siezed a port that is. I'm not sure how easy it is to sustain an amphibious force over the beach.

Both have their purposes. Niether have a good chance of survival against a mechanized force without favorable terrain for light missile employment or attack helicopter operations.

[Mike]

Para...........Jump out of perfectly servicable aircraft

Marine........Jump out of small boats usually for a Banyan (Barbque)

Aye
Mike

[Mike]

Both have their purposes. Niether have a good chance of survival against a mechanized force without favorable terrain for light missile employment or attack helicopter operations.

Cheers Pal.... I guess thats just made their day... Glad I didn't know that a while back

Aye
Mike

[longrifle]

Cheers Pal.... I guess thats just made their day... Glad I didn't know that a while back

I didn't state the obvious for the vets. Or the currently serving.

I stated what most consider the obvious for kiwi_one, who said he didn't know much about the military.

[kiwi_one]

Thanks, Ive been in the NZ army for almost 2 years, but we have an army, an AF and a navy, and basically no special forces apart from the SAS. So not its not excactly the most exciting defence force.

Keep the ideas flowing....

Which would have the least training more action?

[Paratrooper01]

Which would have the least training more action?

Get a grip mate. What sort of question is that?!

Iv known too many gung-ho colonials who are not prepared to put in any hard work. You will learn that the british army is NOT the US army who cut around brassing up everything that moves. We are a proffessional army who are disciplined and at the same time (unfortunatly) tightly bound by alot of political bullshit. Now if you want to go round brassing everything up and pissing people off then i suggest you look elsewhere...

[Tab]

kiwi_one....This has been asked so many times by people on this site trying to stir things up, that we hardly ever bother to answer the question

[booty cadet]

OK. I know I'm only a cadet but my view is that, personally, I think the Royal Marines are better than the paras. I think this because the RMs, as people have said above, are better at sustainment. However, I respect both equally and realise they both are amazing at what they're supposed to do.

[Paratrooper01]

I think the Royal Marines are better than the paras...because the RMs, as people have said above, are better at sustainment.

Well thats bollox, because both us and the RM wont be going to war unless we have sufficient logistical support.

Rapid response crisis's like Sierra Leone will always have a support element with the fighting forces because we have such good capabilities in the air, all that is needed is a landing strip to be secured and hey presto you have got a herc inbound with supplies and ammunition.

Im not 100% sure about what the RM have in the way of Close in fire support but para regt have 7 hat Royal Artillery and an Apache Army Air corps unit ready to unleash hellfire missiles on whatever we want. We also have our Machine guns platoon, Mortar platoon and Anti-tank platoons to give us all the fire power and support we need. Which by the way can all be put on our backs, which also means we can parachute in with it.

If anyone could give us an idea of what support the RM has, i would be interested. I know you have a Royal Artillery unit with 105 light guns at your disposal, but any air support?

[booty cadet]

No support. Sorry as I said I'm only a cadet saying what I thought.

[harry hackedoff]

Marines are better looking and while I do like Paras, I could never eat a whole one

Longrifle, and others, the older distinctions between Para and RM/USMC are changing. Mainly due to the constantly evolving way in which are employed on Ops. The particular concept that I am referring to is "The Littoral Space" (Down Royal, that`s littoral without the "C")

On D-Day WW II the Naval and Landing forces operated in a littoral space which was no more than ten miles wide and it covered the Beachheads, the ships, the area in between the two and the air immediately above. US Paras dropping outside the littoral space to seize targets round St Maire Eglize only had to wait till morning for the littoral space to expand and they would then be covered by the space and able to enjoy all of the benefits provided therein, re-supply, fire power, re-inforcements etc. Very small areas, very easily understood concepts and clear roles for each group.
Clear so far? Good

Now, lets consider the initial Ops in Afghanistan.
USMC were deployed from shipping, hundreds of miles away from any conflict, they were supported by aircraft flying from the US and Britain as well as from aircraft on Carriers sailing next to the troopships. The air element now extends twenty five thousand miles up to the satellites in their geo-stationary orbits and half way round the globe to bases on other continents. Four-Five Cdo were deployed because CO of USMC in theatre had asked for them but he could theoretically have asked for other Units who make up 3 Cdo Bde, including Para Reg, just as easily. Royal didn’t attack the targets in small boats(we actually have a few more skills than that anyway but we don’t like to talk about it ) and if the Para had been asked for, they would not have jumped in. They`d`ve sat next to Royal on the helos. Boundaries between how we are both used are certainly becoming less clear. Paras have their job and Royal has his. Different skills different drills We both have entirely separate identities and long may that continue. You want both stood next to you when the shit starts, mind.

Here`s to both Berets,

[harry hackedoff]

Heyup James
Royal has Elmer in fire support role and you can`t get better than that, apparently

Apache Army Air corps unit

When did that happen then? Those Wild Angry Hamsters have been sat on the deck since they were delivered because the AAC pilots were not able to convert. What happened to change all that? Were standards lowered? Surely not

[Paratrooper01]

Harry,

I agree with the helo's. Its definatly the way forward and yes both the RM and Para Regt have the use of support helicopters (chinook, lynx, merlin and good old Sea Kings).

Not sure about standards. All i know is that there are gonna be some big guns flying over our heads and watching our backs...to which i am grateful. Just got to make sure i give them the correct grid in the firemission