Just a few questions from a interested individual

[Damien1080]

hello all, this is my firstpost so i appologise if i make any forum faux pas or any other offences!

I am currently 19 years of age and i am interested in joining the parachute regiment, i was previously considering the royal marines but after reading up a bit decided that para was the way to go.

Ive allready thought about my specialisation options and beleive that due to my current skills and attributes i would like to join a recce or sniper platoon and work my way to these titles.

Im currently spending at least 4 days a week at my local gym working on my running and doing general strength exersizes in order to make sure i can get to the standard i need to be.

i was just wondering if anyone could give me any tips about these two specialisations and any other pearls of wisdow that you may wish to share.

if it is any help to anyone i got a green rating on the army pathfinder website?

all the best and look forward to any replies,
Damien

[just_me]

http://www.mfat.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=17749
Focus on getting in a unit first.

[Alfa]

If you do all your running training at a gym then I suggest you get out onto the roads/hills asap there's a huge difference between running on a treadmill and running cross country.

As for joining Patrols platoon or getting on the Sniper course I'd forget about that for now mate. The guys in those specialisations are some of the best soldiers in the Regiment, you would have to be in your unit for a good while and have proven yourself in the field before you'd be even considered for either.

Ambition is a good thing to have but don't look past what's infront of you otherwise you may find you fall at the first hurdle.

Good luck though mate, I'm sure joining the Paras is a decision you will never regret.

[Damien1080]

thanks very much guys its much appreciated, im currently doing 5k runs everyday so ill make sure i take them outside now so thanks for that tip.

i do realise ive got to earn the right to wear the para badge let alone get into those units i was just interested in any tips people have about them.

thanks very much again guys

[Tab]

You will need to spend a couple of years in the Regiment before they will consider you for a sniper or the pathfinders. section. they will want see how you perform in the field so to speak before they train you up for snipers or pathfinders

[tom163]

Like said above mate get ye sen outside and get running, its harder and more fun running outside in the feilds/woods etc. Your not making your life any easyer with the Sniper and PathFinder choices either why not just throw SAS selection in there aswel only kidding mate once your in the focus on them other choices.

[Skeav]

Good choice mate! Patrols appeals to me as well, as that is a great place to properly hone ur soldiering skills, plus u get more chance of being put on some of the specialist courses (such as tracking, which l found hugely interesting when we did a couple of lessons of it up in Falklands platoon).

As other people have said, dont get ahead of yourself! When going through your application process and then in training i'd keep your ambitions to yourself unless asked something like "where do u see urself in 5 years?" You see, there are a lot of people who gob off about wanting to be one of the lads when they have no idea what it really involves and perhaps just want the "glory" or supposed status that instantly goes with the title rather than the required skill, graft and professionalism that achieves the respect. I'm sure your not one of these blokes, however, i'm sure you realise its not something you want to be mistaken for!

Also i'm sure it'd be of huge benefit if you went on the week long "look at life" the Paras have started up, you'll then know for sure whether its actually something you wish to pursue.

Cheers

Skeav

[Wacky-Backy]

What's the 'look at life' programme run by the paras?