p company

[andy.j.p.w.]

i have just been lent a video of p company as im due to go in to training soon, but god damb it looks tough. i am training hard but i dont know wether i am doing enough. if anyone who has been through this before could tell me what they done to prepear i would be greatfull cheers..

also do you have to know all of the paras history for when you go in?

[Shaun]

I havent been through it before, but am trainning for it.....
I dont think you can ever train ''hard enough'' - you have to be constantly pushing the limits to what you think is max, because this is what they will do to you at p-coy. (what I have read, etc.)
And the other thing is not to think about failing, have your eyes set on passing.
Try looking at your motto/signature. I think that answers most of your own question!
....None of this is supposed to be bitchy in any way, just want to view my opion and emphasise the fact that im not in the para's....yet

[andy.j.p.w.]

dont get me wrong i am not going down there with the idea in my head that i could fail, i was only asking these questions to get myself the best chance of passing. when are you going in then ???

[Guest]

It is a test and it is not suppost to b easy.

Just stick with it and work hard throughout. Show them that you are a potential airborne warrier, with aggression and motivation and you will pass. That is what they are looking for. Think about the reward of the passing out parade and receiving your beret and parachute training.

Good luck 2 u bruv.

James

[Shaun]

im joining the RE, with a bit of luck before xmass if someone drops out, if not the date is feb. Im then gonna go for the all arms para course.

with a bit of luck my fitness levels should increase a fair bit once im in the army.... not that im unfit now. But at the level i am now i wouldnt want to try p-coy.

[andy.j.p.w.]

cheers for your replies fellas i am goin to do it, im gonna way step up the training and come next year i will be a para!!!

[Rubber Duck]

Hmmm... what kind of level of fitness do you think you need andy? I met a para a few days ago who seemed to think that under 8.20 or so for a 1.5 mile run would indicate a high enough level of fitness to pass P -Company. I was rather surprised as I had thought you'd need more like 7.30. However this is only a vague indicator as most of the stuff on P-Company would be longer distance, or marches with heavy bergans. They were also keen to point out that a very large part of it is mental. It's not enough just to be fit, you really have to be mentally strong as well to pass. I suppose this will come with all the training you're doing. Good luck.

[andy.j.p.w.]

cheers mate i can do 1.5 in about 8 30 so i think i have my work cut out, but as you said its a lot to do with mental power aswell so if i digg deep i will be ok

[Contractor]

cheers mate i can do 1.5 in about 8 30

8:30 is a VERY good time, I have met few people who can run 1 and a half miles in under this time, if you are at this level already you will be in good stead for P Coy.

[gunner75]

My best time on the 1.5mile run was actually 8.20 and this was some time before I went on to pass P-coy . Prior to passing, I always had at the back of my mind the belief that you had to be almost superhuman to pass because the instructors etc always 'sexed' it up a bit and made it sound very very difficult. Thats not to say its easy because up to press I found it one of, if not, the hardest things Iv done. With hindsight, however, the 8.20 on the 1.5miler was in fact a v.good time indeed in comparison to what I run now and I can easily say that being able to make this time is a good indicator of whats required. Although from my experience the ability to run fast isnt all thats needed but also the ability to put up with lung busting exercises and not jack. Determination,sense of humour and aggression plus good admin to make sure your looking after your body i.e making sure your fed and watered, thats what done it for me.

[Contractor]

Spot on advice gunner.

On the subject of BFT times, the fastest I ever witnessed someone run it was 6:52 - in boots. The frightening part was that I was out on the pi** with him the night before and he smoked more than I did.

He joined SF some years later and was never heard from again

[gunner75]

yeah I knew someone like that a proper racing snake. We used to call him BRUNO because of his uncanny resemblance to the former world champion boxer and pantomine dame. 6.52 in boots bloody hell!!

[andy.j.p.w.]

nice one lads i take it you are paras already then??? just one more question. when i go up to catterik do i have to know all of the military knowlege and stuff like that cos ive been doin a bit of revision but i am not sure what if anything i need to know??

any advice would be apreceated

[Contractor]

Hi Andy, nope I was a mere Crap Hat and not a God like Para, gunner's advice is sound though.

With regard to military knowledge, regimental history, honours and awards, rank structure etc etc. you will be taught all on arrival. However, if you already know them it's one less thing to worry about - same as your fitness. If you are reasonably fit on arrival it's one less thing you have to work on. Good luck.

[Ploggers]

My best time on the 1.5mile run was actually 8.20 and this was some time before I went on to pass P-coy ..

I was VERY VERY please with my 7.51 during the army PTI course in fact it was that which convinced me to do the AACC. However there was one guy on the course who beat that hands down by over a minute - yes a sub 7 minutes BFT.

The name was Kris Akabusi, maybe you've heard of him. Can you imagine how annoying it is to have someone that enthusisastic jumping around the room at 5:30am - bastard !!!