Life as a young Officer in The Parachute Regiment.

[plastic]

Hello all,

I'm currently serving in the T.A, and earlier in the year got binned from 4 PARA due to injury. I had planned to return next year after completing operational comitments with my current unit.

Now I'm sitting here after 6th Form in a rather bone job, easy and bearable, yes. But bone with little prospects. (I had planned to temp until my proposed FTRS with a Reg PARA Bn).

I've never really thought about a commision to be honest, but have recently been weighing up the pro's and con's. The money and career prospect are excellent if you can make it. But I really enjoy being a Pte Soldier and love going out on the piss with the OR's, drunkenly stealing signs, pulling women etc etc. Would I still be able to go on the beer with the OR's and generally having a laugh should a get commisioned or is that a strict no no?

If there are any young Para Reg Offrs reading this, I'd be very greatful for your input.

Sorry for swinging the lamp a bit, plastic.

Edited for a small spelling faux pas

[unicorn]

I have no experience, but I would think that it would not happen. Probably an unwritten rule.

But that may not be case!

[Paratrooper01]

As a tom in the reg, there are plenty of officers who I see out on the piss. And they regularly get their credit cards beasted, buying massive rounds for all the lads. Quite rightly so!

As an officer in the reg you will be at the center of life in a para battalion. By no means whatsoever is it "them and us". This is the Parachute Regiment, not the Guards.

[webber]

If the only reason you don't want to be an Officer is so you can go out on the piss with the lads, then you need to think about it more mate. I feel you have to be a certain type of person to be an Officer, and you really have to want it, regardless!

[plastic]

PT01, thanks for your reply, it's good to hear from someone in the know. I was rather concerned about the "them and us" attitude that is present in some units. On a semi related question; how do you find life in the Bn?

webber; I can see where you're coming from here. I'm going to try and emphasize my point a bit more. I was unsure whether the young 2Lt's and Lt's had a social friendship with the Toms of a similar age, after all, after getting commisioned you are still the same man. To use an extreme as an example; I wasn't sure if while the rest of "the lads" went out, the young Officers had to stay in the Officers Mess drinking brandy and smoking cigars whilst discussing the bowls with the more senior officers.

Cheers.

[SO19]

discussing the bowls with the more senior officers.

[plastic]

discussing the bowls with the more senior officers.

Like I said; "To use an extreme as an example".

[webber]

Yeah I know what your saying now mate. The only person who would know is Paratrooper01 as he is a serving tom. At the end of the day if you are an Officer you have to lead the blokes so there will always be a bit of a difference, but on the piss, it seems like every man is equal!

There are plus sides to both mate, only you can decide.

When I was in training the Plt. Commanders seem to get on fine with the section commanders (Cpl's), but there was always the bit of p@*s taking!

[Paratrooper01]

Plastic I think you would be highly suited as a rupert in the reg, provided you prove to have 'something more' than the rest of the scumbags in Sandhurst.

I'm recently moved on from my battalion, but I left them at the start of build up training for Afghanistan next year. So a very busy time for all, especially the young officers in the rifle companies.

Good luck to you, and keep us informed.

P.S. There is even more interesting chat and banter over the road on Militaryforums. Already a member? I'll shut up then!

[davidemmerson]

To use an extreme as an example; I wasn't sure if while the rest of "the lads" went out, the young Officers had to stay in the Officers Mess drinking brandy and smoking cigars whilst discussing the bowls with the more senior officers.

Cheers.

I don't think I've seen a funnier comment than that! Ok, you say it's an extreme but

[plastic]

DE; Like I said it was to use an extreme as an example, I didn't really mean to make it humorous but if I did then that's a bonus.

PT01; Cheers for your input, do you mind me asking what the "something more" is? A couple reasons why I may be at a disadvantage; I'm very aggressive when I get going and I'm not sure if it's different in the Reg but most Officers I've come across aren't. And I don't (and will not obtain) have a degree. Good luck with the rest of your career, military or otherwise now you have moved on from Bn. Yeah I'll keep you posted, but have a tour of Iraq to get out the way first.

Cheers.

[davidemmerson]

DE; Like I said it was to use an extreme as an example, I didn't really mean to make it humorous but if I did then that's a bonus.

Cheers.

plastic, don't worry about it, it was a bonus!

Good luck with application and stuff.

David

[plastic]

Update:

The TA unit I'm currently serving with is mobbing lads within the next couple of weeks. I won't be going out then but can join the June wave.

However; I pulled a sicky at work and went to the AFCO today. I have my BARB test next Wednesday (providing I can get the time off etc). My recruiter reckons he may be able to get me to Depot by April, subject to medical, ADSC etc.

If all goes to plan, I'll be joining as a Soldier.

[803troop]

Prince Harry hasn't let the Army interupt his social life, he still goes out on the lash - well until he got reigned in a bit.

Baz

[plastic]

Had my BARB test today: 71.

My recruiter said there's no reason why I can't go for a commission now and encouraged me to do so. He's sending me the Sandhurst prospectus at some point.

I think I'll go in as a Tom (subject to P Coy, obviously) and apply for a commission once (if) in. My reasoning behind this is you only get two cracks at P Coy as an Officer, after that, I understand you're binned completely. I'm just thinking worst case scenario, injuries etc.