TA 4 Para London (Oct 05 cadre)

[nikolai]

Have got an induction/open day in September for the next cadre beginning on the weekend of 1/2 Octoberand and had a few questions which some of you with previous experience might be able to help me with. I've had a browse through the previous messages but couldn't find the exact answers. If I am repeating stuff then sorry in advance and sorry if this should have been posted on the TA forum!

Anyway...

i) I had a look at the training schedule for 4Para which is used once training nights begin. If I start this now i.e. 2 months before training proper starts will I peak too early? In other words should I get myself into a reasonable state of fitness now and let the progressive training take over once the course starts OR should I aim to be as fit as possible when the course starts?

ii) Interval training, hill-walking with weight, running - Which is the best to prepare for 4 Para? I'll be honest, I live in Herts and there aren't many hills around here and I'm not really in a position to travel to the Brecons etc. I go running anyway but don't particularly like interval training. Any advice?

iii) Regarding the training nights before P-company - Are the training nights split between PT and fieldcraft etc. or is it 100% PT to start with building up to fieldcraft/weapon skills once wasters have dropped out? Is there any way to prepare for fieldcraft etc. before the training nights start?

iv) Eyesight - this could f*&k everything up since I wear glasses or lenses for watching tv and driving. Didn't think about it when I phoned up 4 Para but am wondering now if being slightly short-sighted (-3 left/-1 right, if that means anything to you) will stop me before I've even started. Any comments?

v) When I complete P-Company (I'm assuming I will) I know there is a minimum commitment but realistically how often do people attend. Is 4-Para a tight-knit unit? What is the camaraderie like? Are people committed or do they often drop out eventually? Do you socialise together or is it simply a two-week exercise and a couple of scattered Tuesday nights a year?

Hope this isn't too much to ask about and just wanted to say thanks to all those who contribute. The site is unbelievably helpful and I browsed for ages before I registered.

Cheers

Nikolai

[MRB]

Get as fit as you can in the next 2 months, and it will make things a lot better yourself when you start training. Set yourself a steady program of running and some kind of circuit training. You cannot substitute running for anything else so don't kid yourself. You can make your own circuit which involves pressups, situps, burpees (you do alot of these in training), pullups and sprints. You say you don't like interval training - why??? It hurts but its good for you, all paras love a good beasting, so don't cry about it and start pounding the fields. Alternate your runs by having a short one (1.5 - 2 miles), mid distance (4-6 miles) and a long one (8-10 miles). You will end up doing thousands of pressups in training, so start getting used to them or you'll suffer.

You will get beasted from day 1, no doubt about it. 4para is a good unit and most of the guys are either ex regs or have done attachments with the regular battalions. The recruit staff will not piss about, you will be run ragged - remember its para reg, forget the TA bit. If you can't keep up, you're not good enough and you're out.
I wouldn't run with weight, you'll probably f@#k yourself, theres plenty of bergen training before p-coy.
You can wear glasses/contacts so don't worry about it. Once you pass p-coy and jumps course, 4para can offer you as much as you want. There are many courses, overseas training, opportunities for regular attachments on operations.

[Boredatwork]

Are you sure about the wearing of contact lenses?

[MRB]

Yes, I know a few of the lads where contacts.

[nikolai]

MRB, thanks for the advice. Can't wait to start but think that I'm going to have to up the tempo of my current training given what you've said. Cheers.

[Boxingmad]

A good publication on military fitness training is "Fighting Fit" by Adrian Weale. You can order it on www.amazon.co.uk and it has various programmes depending on your level of fitness. On the top of the topic list at the start of the Parachute Regiment section there's a Paras Fitness Guide for TA build-up. 16 weeks long.

Hope this helps.