Just passed Selection - Looking for some advice please

[superbike]

I came back from ADSC last night after having been selected for the CIC but something has been playing on my mind. In my selection officers interview I felt he was very negative about my decision to join the parachute regiment. He said I have good qualifications & achieved good scores in the TST & over the two days, but then went onto question my reasons for wanting to be a para. I defended my decision, but every time I gave a valid reason he would turn it around & give me a reason why I should take a trade with a different regiment. He also said I have a strange running style which could affect me in training at Catterick despite the fact I was fourth out of forty in the 1.5mile best effort & have never suffered any injury. At first I thought he was perhaps testing me to see how serious I was about joining, but after speaking to the other boys who passed with me, they said their interviews had been very positive. I really don't know what to take from this, any input would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

[superbike]

Thanks for the reply. I just felt having busted my balls over the two days & passing I wouldn't see why they would want to disuade me from joining. Anybody know why this is common? I'll call that number anyway, cheers.

[james connolly]

i would just like to ask superbike wot is the selection test like cuz i have mine in about 9 to 10 weeks and i just need some info plz

[superbike]

Alright mate, first day I arrived on base at 9am, dumped bags then straight to the medicals, took until about lunchtime to get through, then icebreakers, talk about yourself for 5 minutes, if your lucky u'll do it in small groups. Then the grenade lesson, it's a piece of piss. Then onto fitness tests, chinups palms facing on a beam, best effort. Then a back extension & static lift, you get two attempts. For the static lift you want to pull over 116 kilo so U get a bit more time on the mile & a half. Then you do a test to make sure you can lift 55 kilo to chest height, as if you were putting an ammo box on a truck. Next is the jerry can carry, it's 150 metres with two 20 kilo cans, remember to walk in time with the PTI. After this we did some relay races with pressups for the losing team, all good fun! Evening meal & then get showered & a couple hours at the Naafi. Then a briefing for the next day & lights out at 10.30pm. Day 2 starts at 5.30am, get your bedding sorted & bags packed, you have breakfast, & then do the technical selection test, not that you need it, but you might be made to do it anyway. After this stretch off & easy jog for 800m or so, then best effort 1.5 mile. I did it in edinburgh, the course is flat & the terrain pretty good, it's narrow though so get to the front & stay there! Everyone was told the para boys are the ones to beat so no pressure! After you cruise to the finish in under 9 minutes 18 seconds, you go straight into the team tasks. Some of the boys failed here so take note, get yourself heard, put forward ideas & motivate your team, shout encouragement all the time & volunteer to go first or lift the barrels or ammo boxes, really get involved! After this you get showered & changed into your suit, go for lunch then do the written grenade test, it's 10 questions, easy. We didn't do the practical so I can't comment on that. Then the interview, which is only a few questions & then pass or fail, nothing to sweat about. After this you go to the bus with your bags & off to the train station.

It's fast paced, but there is a lot of waiting about. You'll be well briefed, so do what your told when your told, & give it your best, that's my advice. You'll be there with about 40 other guys, most of the ones in my selection were a good laugh & decent, but there were also a few dicks. I had a bit of a run in when I got off the bus after selection with a guy because he spent the two days bullying the smaller guys every time the corporal turned his back, obviously a big fish in whatever small pond he crawled out of.

Personally I enjoyed it, i'd never experienced army life on any scale before so it was a good insight for me. I've got a date for 22nd October to start training, it's not far away & I don't feel i'm physically ready yet but i'm working hard on the cardio!

Anyway good luck mate, it's a bit rushed but hope this helps, any other questions feel free to ask. Let me know how you get on!

[james connolly]

cheers for that info mate really appreciate the advice and i will let u no how i get on,and good look to u aswell .cheers mate speak to ya soon

[tom_06]

is that the RSC your talking about?dont you have to do an insight course for the paras?or is this not essential?i thought it was like the equivalent of PRMC, just curious thats all.

[Sky Police]

You don't have to do the insight course but is probably a good idea so you get an 'insight' into what training will be like.

My mate did his RSC and starts his basic on Jan 28th. He didnt do the insight course.

Me on the other hand have my insight course on the 24/26th November for 2 reasons. 1) it will give me a good idea as to what it will be like and 2) it will be a good training weekend

[james connolly]

wher is ur insight course