A Concern for Future Para Officers

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed 23 Jul, 2003 3:49 pm

It seems that "Britains Toughest Regiment" is now bursting at the seams from applicants all over the country wanting to serve in the Parachute Regiment and to wear the famous Maroon beret.

This is now a major problem for all of them because there is a back-logg of about 300 Officers wanting either a transfer from their current unit or an immediate placement from Sandhurst into the Paras and there just is'nt the space.

I think that the Parachute Regiment is a very special regiment in its history and its capabilities as a very manoeuvreable, aggressive, battle ready force capable of deploying into a combat zone anywhere in the world in 72 hrs notice. Its physically demanding selection process requires everyone to show maximum courage, aggression, confidence and determination and the fiece proudness of having to earn their maroon beret. This is the reason why i want to join the Paras and i believe that i have the right calibre to serve in the Parachute Regiment.

However i think that websites like this one promotes to people the idea that the only two units in the British army/navy worth joining are the Paras and the Marines. Yes they are both formidable fighting forces but are not the only regiments in the army, and i think that people wanting to join the services should look over the broader scale of things and realise that the British Army is the best trained in the world and any unit you join, will mean that you are fighting with the best army in the world.

Contractor · Post by **Contractor** » Wed 23 Jul, 2003 4:04 pm

Welcome James, future Para.

I think that the Parachute Regiment is a very special regiment in its history and its capabilities as a very manoeuvreable, aggressive, battle ready force capable of deploying into a combat zone anywhere in the world in 72 hrs notice. Its physically demanding selection process requires everyone to show maximum courage, aggression, confidence and determination and the fiece proudness of having to earn their maroon beret. This is the reason why i want to join the Paras and i believe that i have the right calibre to serve in the Parachute Regiment.

Good stuff straight off the CV and ready for RCB

Suggest you have a browse around the site before condemning it as a recruiting tool solely for the Maroon and Green lid warriors. Plenty of good info for all.

Enjoy James.

Tab · Post by **Tab** » Wed 23 Jul, 2003 6:28 pm

If you want it badly enough then you will find a way to get in, thats what they call airborne initiative.

BigFatCivvy · Post by **BigFatCivvy** » Thu 24 Jul, 2003 1:18 am

I would disagree with you there mate. I can see that there is many who use this website who wish to be in the Marines (I'm one), or the Paras, and also many former members of these units. I don't see any deliberate persuasion going on though. Everyone seems to be quite happy with there chosen units. There are guys from other units on here, and I'm sure people would be just as helpfull if you wanted to join the Coldstream guards, or the Princess of Wales regts.

Good luck with your chosen career. I've got a mate who is going to Sandhurst, and wants to be an officer in the Gurkhas. He was saying something very similar about a backlog of potential officer recruits for them. Would you not be happy being an officer in another unit?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu 24 Jul, 2003 10:35 am

BigFatCivvy wrote:Would you not be happy being an officer in another unit?

BigFatcivvy,

I dont know about you, but being in the Paras has always been my dream, and one that i would have to work hard for. However, concerning this backlog situation i believe that i have 2 options:

1. that i join another infantry regiment after i graduate from Sandhurst and transfer to the Paras after so many years.
or
2. That i join the paras as a soldier for so many years then do the Sandhurst course and become an Officer.

I don't know what everyone else feels about this and whether it is the correct way to go about things?
All suggestions and comments would be very useful.

Thanks.

James

Topper · Post by **Topper** » Thu 24 Jul, 2003 10:40 am

Go for your number one aim, don't think about second best otherwise that is what you will be.

mattt_h · Post by **mattt_h** » Thu 24 Jul, 2003 11:52 am

james if your good enough the paras will give you a job straight away this backlog is only a problem if u dont impress the recruiter

are you at uni now or graduated?

if youre at uni perhaps a stint in 4 para gaining the beret would put you over most other applicants

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu 24 Jul, 2003 1:31 pm

mattt_h,

no still at school mate. I am applying for a sixth form scholarship this year and it will mean that i will do my RCB before the end of the year.

The 4Para option is well worth thinking about, thanks.

Do 4Para do exactly the same p-company and parachuting course as the regulars? And also, where are 4Para based and would i have to be a recruit?

Thanks alot

James

mattt_h · Post by **mattt_h** » Thu 24 Jul, 2003 1:43 pm

i aint sure to be honest about the same Pcoy im sure someone else will clarify but im almost certain you do all the tests like the 10miler etc

4 para are in london and croyden dont know which would be closer u have to be 17 though

you would have to be a recruit the way it works is u finish training as a soldier then you can apply for officer if you want

BigFatCivvy · Post by **BigFatCivvy** » Thu 24 Jul, 2003 3:08 pm

Good for you mate, go for what you want!

(closest thin to a paras jumpwings I could find

).

BFC.

BigFatCivvy · Post by **BigFatCivvy** » Thu 24 Jul, 2003 3:09 pm

Please read "thin" as thing.

rabby · Post by **rabby** » Thu 24 Jul, 2003 3:26 pm

You do know you can edit your posts BFC?

BigFatCivvy · Post by **BigFatCivvy** » Fri 25 Jul, 2003 11:24 am

So you can by jingo!! I never did go in for all this technology. I'm sure it'll take over the world one day

.

BFC.

Leon · Post by **Leon** » Fri 25 Jul, 2003 3:43 pm

James,

I do agree with you that the tone of this website seems to have a strong bias towards paras and marines. This is demonstrated by there being a whole forum dedicated to the paras, which is obviously only one regiment of the British Army.

I've really considered paras too, but trying not to get ahead of myself to quickly - I've got my RCB briefing on mon, which I think i'll pass, just don't want to get complacent! One step at a time... Didn't realise there was such a massive backlog of potential officers though, and if there isn't room then there isn't room no matter how good you are(surely?!) . But I do really want to join the one of the most proffesional, well trained, hardworking regts., of which the Parachute regiment certainly is one.

BigFatCivvy, (or anyone!!) just wondering what you know about the Gurkhas - it seems really difficult to get any info on them. I've heard that they are excellent at what they do, but what exactly is this? I know that they're technically another infantry unit, but the selection for soldiers is completely different. How does officer selection work? Also is there an equivalent of P company (ie some form of physical tests other than standard infantry ones) - I know the Nepalise are extremely tough, but surely they want equally as tough officers to lead them, in order that they are respected. Any info anyone has on the regt would be much apprectiated.

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