MilitaryForums.co.uk

soz

Right, why does this happen?
I know because i went through the same dilema, and ended up a guardsman, !!! Still doing P Coy in Nov, so still on course to be a Para.
Firstly get the illusion out of your head of being in the best, if i go Marines, then the Paras are better. Or if i go Paras, the Marines are better. There both excellent regiments/corps and good soldiers. All it is between them is rivalry. Everyone wants to be the best, ask PWRR, Guards, Staffs, Kings. They will each in turn tell you they are in the best regiment, and an argument will start up about we was in this war, battle or i heard a story of a 'insert any of the above in here' doing this etc etc
What you need to decide is what job you want to do? As thats what it comes down to, they both don't do the same. One specialise in the commando role (Boat assaults etc etc) and one specialise in Airbourne (Parachuting, pathfinders do HAHO and all that) BUT both do the basics of Infantry such as conventional warfare and unconventional warfare. The drills are the same on attacks, contacts etc. No one has special tatics better than the another.
SO what job do you want to do? Let that be your decision.

Hope i have helped you. PS a mate of mine is now in Para Reg and he had the same dilema, i am sure he will tell you he made the right choice. Incidently another mate had the same one, and is now a Marine, and he will tell you he made the right choice.

I don't know that any answer can be helpful... Especially in light of the way you posit the question. You're seeking an answer to a decision which has to be very personal.

bootneckorpara wrote: How did you decide to join the paras instead of the marines? I don't know how to choose.

Cheers,
Neil

It should not enter the equation what others chose. You do not want to be a follower.

soz

ARE YOU TRYING TO JOIN

THE PARACHUTE REGIMENT?

ARE YOU EXPERIENCING ANY OF THE
FOLLOWING?

* RECRUITING OFFICES TRYING TO SEND YOU ELSEWHERE!
* BEING TOLD YOU ARE NOT SUITABLE!
* BEING TOLD YOU DON'T SCORE HIGHLY ENOUGH TO JOIN US!
* BEING OFFERED OTHER CAREERS " THAT ARE BETTER"
*BEING TOLD YOU CAN BE A PARATROOPER IN OTHER PARTS OF THE ARMY!
* DEFERRED AT A.D.S.C.

YOUR APPLICATION IS IMPORTANT TO US. WE ARE ABLE TO TO GIVE YOU EVERY ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE RECRUITING PROCESS.
WE CAN HELP
SO
"CALL "



The PARA's Hotline on: 01206 782343 Alternatively E-mail us and we
WILL get back to you.

http://www.army.mod.uk/para/

hope that answers the waiting list question.

I originally saw this topic in the Marines forum and thought I'd repost my reply again on here:

The only thing I can say to you is read up on both units or even better if you know anyone who was in either of them chat to them.

The two things you should focus on are:

How they operate ie; what's their training like, what operations do they specialise in, what tours have they been doing in recent times etc.... this will give you a feel of what you would be doing in the future if you joined up and will help you decide which kind of things you'd rather be doing.

Secondly you should read up on their Battle Honours; this is the best way to understand the character of a regiment and what is expected from the men who make up the battalions. They are also what defined each regiment and made them what they are today.

The Battle Honours of the Paras will have you on the edge of your seat the sacrifices and courage by the paratroopers involved is unbelievable. That's what captured my imagination.

There's not whole lot of difference between them, just the way they operate, so it's basically down to personal choice so don't be swayed by other peoples opinions.

This really is something YOU need to decide for yourself as you'll be asked to sweat, bleed and maybe even lay your life down for the regiment you choose so you'd better have chosen the right one.

Hope this helps and good luck to you whatever unit you choose.


@ Y did I leave.

I just looked at your profile, is it the paras your thinking of re-joining? I did the first 6 weeks but because I'm a complete screw up I left, regretted it after about oooh I dunno a day!!, and I'd like to give it another go and was just curious as to whether you were in the same boat as me?

Do you prefer swimming or parachuting?

At the end of the day, either one of those will see you going on plenty of operational tours, so just join whatever one will take you first.

Paul.

Take a coin from you pocket spin it in the air call heads for one unit and tails for the other, and which ever side lands face up you join. If any thing goes wrong you blame lady luck

Tab wrote:Take a coin from you pocket spin it in the air call heads for one unit and tails for the other, and which ever side lands face up you join. If any thing goes wrong you blame lady luck

Thats about as good a way of deciding as any.

If you want to go on tours, join the Paras or the Marines. Either one.

The end.

Its just flying or swimming really isnt it. Which one are you better at?

When I was at school I was in the cadets and army barmy, I wanted to join the paras as there was a tv seris on at the time about the paras.
I wanted to join straight from school, but my mum would not sign for me and my dad would, so I decieded to join at 18 by which time I was at collage training to be a printer met a girl etcetc and never joined.

The biggest regret of my life.

Good luck on whatever you decide.

One of the major benefits of service life is travel, the Royal Marines because of their Naval role, are likely to to go to more places. If this is important to you then this is a major factor.

soz

As has been said before, anyone would be proud to serve in either Para Reg or RM, so you can't really make the wrong decision.
Both demand total commitment from the people who are good enough to join them.
And with the deployments around the world these days, the chances of seeing action is very high.