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I know that the Parachute Regiment & Royal Marines are very well trained and are excellent troops, but it seems to me as if they ( and the government, for that matter ) seem to think that they are the only soldiers capable of doing ANYTHING. Hence all the PR and big hi-visability, frontpage ops.

My question is, do the paras and marines look down on the other line regiments? And for that matter do the line regiments hold any sort of resentment towards the para's and marines for the same reasons?

In my opinion I think that the line regiments would be quiet capable of pulling off some of the ops that the paras and marines are so famous for.

Everyone resents the Marines mate but for very different reasons

I have found that the Royal Marines can get on with most Army units and are respected by them. The Paras on the other hand could start a fight in an empty room and most squaddies hate them and the Paras dont seem to like them either.

This is typical hype,all units and the Paras,Marines have individual pride in each others reputation.To say that one HATES the other is ridiculous.This has been going on from time immemorial and is nothing but friendly banter between them.I know, I am an ex-Para and I have some great mates who are Marines,ex-Marines, and we are all members of a big family who have respect for each others choice of unit.It is the same in the Army.

This is typical hype,all units and the Paras,Marines have individual pride in each others reputation.To say that one HATES the other is ridiculous.This has been going on from time immemorial and is nothing but friendly banter between them.I know, I am an ex-Para and I have some great mates who are Marines,ex-Marines, and we are all members of a big family who have respect for each others choice of unit.It is the same in the Army.

I realise that it's mainly just banter and that when it comes down to it, all units respect each other and will help each other out. But the para's do seem to be the British Army's glamour boys, and I could understand if the average squdie would be a bit pissed off.

At the same time, I can understand the para's fierce pride and if I were one I would feel exactly the same way

The best regiments are the ones with SUSATS!

SUSATS?

Sight Unit Small Arms Trilux

[/quote]And for that matter do the line regiments hold any sort of resentment towards the para's and marines [quote]

Not resentment, I think the other Army Inf Regts view the Paras and RM for what they are - Airborne Infantry and Seaborne Infantry respectively, nothing more nothing less, with great respect for them in what they do in this role.

Aussie,
I don't think it's case of resentment or looking down on any other unit. I tend to think its the Esprit d'corps that is instilled in every British Serviceman/woman from the day they join up. Regimental or Unit history is all around you during training and through your service. In some units it is reflected by the cap badge, in others by the facings or colours of the dress uniforms. I think the Guards have a significance in the number and groupings of buttons although I am not 100% sure. Some regiments have animals as mascots (although I believe in some Welsh regiments these are also used for recreational purposes ).

This means that whatever unit anyone else is in, they may be good but they will only ever be second best because YOU are in the best mob.

Your point about line regiments being able to do the same job is accurate but I think that the high profile actions that the Marines and Paras have been involved in in the past also carries a lot of propaganda value. Especially against an inferior or poorly trained enemy. The psychological effect of knowing that the famous 'Green Berets' of the marines or the renowned 'Red Devils' of the paras are coming at you is probably more effective than the 28th battalion of the 36th Foot and Mouth regiment even if the Foot and Mouth boys are just as good and will still kick ass to the same extent!

The fact that these units are possibly more mobile and flexible than Line regiments could also be a factor.

P.S. What is/are SUSATS? Is it the same as a SUIT sight?

I think maybe a new formation of a line regiment where the physical tests are not far from different from the Marines or Paras training, would close the gap in ability or use.
If you look at the RM or Para intial training (p coy/ctc) then look at the basic infantry training there seems to be alot of difference, so its only fair to persume that RM/Para will be first in or maybe more able.
So why dont the Mod create a new infantry regiment where the training and physical/mental pressure is steped up some. That way there will be another contender for Britains best and more shock troops for use.

Good point, budgie. I's never even thought of the pscyological impact on the enemy.

But I can still imagine what must be said in a line regiment when something goes up

" Don't get too exicited. There just gonna' send the paras! "

Budgie wrote:
P.S. What is/are SUSATS? Is it the same as a SUIT sight?

Sight unit small arms Trillux (Contractor Posted it but i knew it anyway )

Basically Its the Telescopic Sight on the top of the rifle. Only RAF Regiment, Marines, Paras and Infantry get them. The Riff raff have to do with crap sights

Apparantly the Gas inside (Trillium) is baaaaaaaad stuff.

it ain't trillium foo', it's trilux, hence sight unit small arms TRILUX