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which route would be best to go for the infantry,(faster promotion, better training etc), out of AFC harrogate, ATR bassingbourn as a junior entrant or joining as an adult in a normal ATR. can you join the paras straight after phase 1 and also are the para's part of 16 air assault brigade. thanks
parker

parker,

ACF harrogate currently has a team on the Army's Everist West Ridge experdition, I know where I'd go!

It is my understanding that the Para's are direct entry via any of the methods you have stated, and yes two battilions of paratroopers are part of 16AA at any one time.

Someone like Greenronnie will be able to help you further.

ok, thanks, how do you get into the AFC anyway, do you just go down to AFCO and say it, also how old do you need to be before you start the application process thanks

Faster promotion - Be an Armourer

Better Training - Parachute Regiment will give you the best training in the Army.

I was 17 when i joined and i had the choice of going to Harrogate. I chose not too because i wanted to spend the minimum time in training and get into the real world asap.

Harrogate is good if you are not confident enough to start mainstream training. But you are basically spending a year in Harrogate when you can spend just 16 weeks in Catterick learning the same things! Now i didnt want to spend an extra year learning how to march and iron my clothing when you learn it in your first week in Catterick.

Also alot of the mainstream recruits HATE the attitude of the AFC lot. They are mostly immature and think they know it all because they have been in the army slightly longer than the rest.

If you want to join the Paras, my advice would be to train hard before your RSC and make sure you are well under 9:18 on the 1.5 mile run. Then make sure you are still fit when you turn up to ITC Catterick for 6 months of fun.

i may have this completely wrong but if you want to go para do you have to go to an ATR for basic or do you do your basic at catterick.

also after spending however long you want to in the paras is it possible to become a heli pilot in 16aa and if so how would you do this. i just want to experience more than 1 thing in the army and i would like to train as a pilot one day

Parker,

Go to your local Army Careers Information Office and explain that you are interested in joining The Parachute Regiment via the Army Foundation Collage they will take it from there.

Note: The AFC is only for enlisted men if you want to be an officer it's Welbeck (I think) that you want to be looking at.

Read this: http://www.army.mod.uk/afc/index.htm
And this: http://www.army.mod.uk/para/index.htm

Edit: After a few years service on the condition that you are a L/Cpl. recomended for promotion to Cpl. you can apply for pilot trainning.

Also ask them about joining the Vet Corps and then transferring to SF as a HAHO instructor as I think its the only thing you havent asked about!

You will be surprised Doc how many para reg guys transfer to the AAC to be a pilot.

The HAHO instructor from the Vet corps is quite original though.

The HAHO instructor from the Vet corps is quite original though.

Who do you think teaches 7's horses to jump?

Parker...The best thing you can do is to make up your mind just what you want, then go for it. If I was you I would not sod about training for one thing then worry about transferring later on. Check on what all the requirements are then make sure you have them then go for what you want.

It doesn't matter where you start your career, chances of promotion are basically dependant on;

1. How quickly you can get on promotional courses

2. How well you do on these courses

3. The 'pecking order' in your unit (ie how many people are waiting to be promoted before you)

However, you really need to focus on just getting in (not passing your interviews, getting through recruit training!), never mind being a sergeant major or flying helicopters!!

As for 16 AAB, of course Para Reg are part of it. They are the core of it!

Go straight to depot, the lads who go to harrogate get it harder in most battalions as its seen as a back door way through training.

Another point is if you want to join the para's their depot is ran by para's at harrogate your section commander will more than likely be some f@#k remf bastard.