Para Career

[Trooper4]

I posted a similar topic in the RM section - "Commando Career"

Iv since done more research and putting one against the other the Para's is the clear choice, I now have a few questions.

Fitness) At the moment i do weights/gym work on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays, running 1.5 miles on Tuesdays and Thursdays (which i need to get better at and will increase the distance over time). And at weekends i usualy cycle on Saturdays (usualy cycle 30-35 miles) and use Sunday as a rest day.
Is there anythign i can do to improve that or does that sound ok?

Medical) I have glasses, for reading close stuff.
Will that stop me getting into the regiment?

Training) How does the military training work? Do you do basic "Phase 1" training as if i was going to be a regular infantry soldier and then onto the para regt. training? If someone could go into great detail that would be appriciated.

Cheers lads,
Trooper

[Paratrooper01]

Fitness - you need to do as much as possible before you get to training. Push yourself as hard as you can. CV is the most important thing, so get running, swimming and cycling atleast 5 days a week. Have your weight sessions the same day if you want. But i wouldnt call a 2 hour weights session a good days training for the regt. If/when you get to battalion, then do your weights stuff. In training you need maximum CV fitness, or you will find things even more painful than they are already going to be.

Glasses - my eyesight is w*nk. Simple answer, try and cheat on the medical exam

If you pass recruit selection, you will go up to catterick for 26 weeks of training in Depot, The parachute regiment. The day you turn up you will be taught by parachute regiment soldiers. After 26 weeks, you pass out and go to Brize Norton where the RAF will teach you how to jump out of planes.

Enjoy

[Trooper4]

Paratrooper01,

for the CV stuff which one is best:

1) 5 days a week - 1.5/2.0 mile run twice a day

or

2) 5 days a week - 3 mile run

Cheers,
Trooper

[Alfa]

Alright mate, your eye sight shouldn't be too much of a problem (so long as your not blind!!) you'll be able to wear your glasses in training.

I would definately increase the distance of your runs asap, 1.5 miles just isn't good enough to build up the stamina you'll need no matter how hard you run it.

Try running 4 miles to start with then build up from there. Until you get used to running longer distances don't worry too much about how quickly you do them the main thing is to get the distance covered but that doesn't mean just sit back and coast through the run you should always push yourself.

Your cycling seems quite good so keep that up and try to add in some sessions in the pool if you can that's great for increasing your lung capacity and building stamina.

Also try joining a circuit training class it's a great way to get a good all round workout, that's one of the best ways to prepare yourself for training as you do lots of circuits at Depot.

Weights aren't that important so long as you reasonably strong, but as long as your not doing them at the expense of your cardio training there's no reason to stop them.

Try doing lots of pressups too, you'll be forever in the press up position at Depot so it's good to get used to them , but take them at a slow and steady pace holding at the top of the movement and squeeze your chest muscles then pause for a second or two at the bottom of the movement. You want a good range of motion so don't aim to do X amount just go to faliure and DON'T rush them! Quality not quantity is what yoru looking for.

As Paratrooper01 said you are trained from day 1 by Para staff and training starts fast and hard.

The paras use a modified training syllabus for their recruits, even for Phase 1, which incorprates a lot more fitness and you'll get plenty of corridor PT too

Hope this helps.

[Tab]

Fitness is important for the Parachute Regiment, if you can afford it go to a gym and get trained. Doing a lot of work on your own could cause you problems with muscles and tendons. Once you have past your initial test for the Regiment then they will bring you on as far as fitness goes, but don't over do it before you get there

[Trooper4]

ahh, some good tips there . Ill need to get doing more pressups, im absolutely shite at them

Any tips on improving them? how many sets? Should i do them daily?

Cheers lads,
Trooper

[Paratrooper01]

You need to vary your routine. So maybe run 3 or 4 miles 3 times a week, do a hill sprints session once a week, and then do an slow endurance run once a week, 10 miles or so.

As for the pressups...dont start! There are millions of threads on bleedin pressups

Alfa, not seen you around here much. Which battalion are you in? Or are you still a wannabe / in training?

[Alfa]

Am I in a Battalion?? I WISH!!!

No I'm a wannabe, started at Depot last year but had my head up my arse and as usual made a bad decision and left regretted it as soon as I got home. It was the worst decision I've ever made, not only do I have the embarrasment of failing but can't even get a job now either.

I want to re-join, I wasn't a bad recruit my fitness was good and I wasn't any worse than the others on the platoon when it came to fieldcraft/admin etc.. my head was just messed up and couldn't see the wood for the trees, what an idiot!!

I'm training to get my fitnes back up but haven't actually had the balls to start the re-joining process yet.

[Maroon]

Well I suggest you get arse in gear and re apply!!! Whats holding you back except bottle? If thats it, then dont bother with Para Reg, as you'll need loads of it

[Alfa]

It's not lack of bottle as in Im scared, just that I feel like an idiot and I'm not sure whether or not they'll want me back since I've already left once.

Thanks for the reply anyway, I know I need a good kick up the arse and need to stop second guessing myself as that was the problem in the first place!!

[Sonne]

Alfa

I can see where you're coming from. However you've made some excellent contributions to the board and you've shown a genuine love for the forces. That much will be very clear from the start when you re-apply. Go for it, after all what have you got to lose?

Sonne

[Maroon]

There you go Alfa, go for it, feeling stupid is not an excuse!! Ask yourself how much you want this, how much do you want to be a Paratrooper, if you really want it that bad, which you need to, then feeling stupid is the worse excuse I have ever heard.

[Boxingmad]

Alfa, in November 1998, I joined Para Reg as a naive recruit, thinking i didn't have to do any training, and they would build me up gradually from scratch. That was the biggest mistake I ever made. I was 2 weeks into the Army Foundation Scheme they ran at the time, and because of the lack of fitness, everything else (i.e. personal admin, being yelled at etc) got on top of me and i quit. Now at 30, I kill meself when i think back on what i did that time.

You need to reapply now. Get fit and get on with it. You are feeling stupid now yes, but u r still young enough for another go at it. Please don't make the mistake i made. I'm in a great job etc, but if i was told that at 30 I could still get up to depot and have another go......

[Paratrooper01]

Alfa,

Not interested in the sob stories. Get a grip, start getting your fitness up again and get down to the AFCO. There can be no excuses. Failure is not an option.

Keep these thoughts in your mind, and no verbal or physical abuse will get to you. You are all part of the big game, and unfortunatly like many who turn up to Para depot you let the staff win. Next time, dont make it so easy for them! I used to wake up every morning and think to myself "right, you bastards. Theres nothing you can throw at me today that i cant handle...so do your worst" and it worked.

Its all in your head

[Maroon]

Couldn't agree more, attitude plays a massive part in getting through Depot, positive mental attitude. In the end of the day, what is the worst that can happen? At least they can't make you pregnant