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October Intake

General discussions on joining & training in The Parachute Regiment.
smiler127
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Post by smiler127 »

i was just wonderin', how old are you all?!

im 17 (18 in december)
Wings
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Post by Wings »

I'm 24 mate, I'll probably be the oldest there! Have to try and keep up with all you young-uns!
Passed RSC - 21st July 2004
Start Basic Training - 10th October 2004
Tunny
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Post by Tunny »

20 in August. i look forard to seeing u guys there
smiler127
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Post by smiler127 »

ye cant wait lads!!! :D
Wings
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Post by Wings »

Got my confimation today, I'm starting on October 10th. Only just over 9 weeks to go, can't wait!

It's a bit of a strange day to start don't you think, a Sunday? Oh well must be for a reason.

Hows everyones training going? Keeping on top of it? I'm still working hard at it, getting fitter everyday.
We're gonna need it!




Wings
Passed RSC - 21st July 2004
Start Basic Training - 10th October 2004
smiler127
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Post by smiler127 »

ye trainings going alrite mate. it will be sunday so they can make sure everybody is there ok, everything will start on Monday.
AlphA
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Post by AlphA »

Hello All
if you dont mind me asking what sort of training was you doing before you all went and passed RSC ? I only ask because i have RSC in 3 - 4 weeks for Paras an cant get the feeling out ma head that im not doing enough, sh@t scared of failing i think, thats what it is. so any advise you could give would be a great help cheers
Wings
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Post by Wings »

AlphA,

What training are you doing at the moment?

Basically if you can run a mile and a half in under 9.15 and you have good upper body strength you'll be fine.



Wings
Passed RSC - 21st July 2004
Start Basic Training - 10th October 2004
AlphA
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Location: Manchester, England

Post by AlphA »

Hi Wings at current my trainings goin like this

Mon - Swimming + 60 min run
Tue - Swimming + Sprint training
Wed - Swimming
Thurs - Swimming + 40 min run
Fri - Swimming + Sprint training
Sat - 60 min run

My upper bodystrength id say is average i can do 10 pullups 35 chest to ground pressups and 60 pluss situps
For some reason i can run and run on when it comes to distance just find the short fast runs real hard. Ive only timed my 1.5 mile once an that was about a month back i finished it in 10 mins dead. It was messured in the car and 1 mile of it is on a slight incline so a WO at the AFCO told me that its a useless test because cars arent accurate enough and it needs to be on a flat so im off to a running track he informed me of tomorrow to see what i can do
Wings
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Post by Wings »

That sounds like you have most bases covered. I'm exactly the same, I can run distance really well but when it came to sprinting and speed work I really struggled. My 1.5 mile time was c@*p and I couldn't get under 10 mins for ages. So I just did loads of intervals and fartlek training, you can't beat it, you really have to work hard at it but it gets your time down.

The only advice I can give you is to do a couple of these runs a week and with only 3-4 weeks till your RSC you need to do 1.5 miles twice a week as well (I used to do mine on monday and saturday).

If you work really hard at it you will get your time down enough in time for your RSC no probs. 3 weeks before I went I was getting around 9.40, I knocked half a min off this in 3 weeks, so it can be done.




Wings
Passed RSC - 21st July 2004
Start Basic Training - 10th October 2004
AlphA
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Post by AlphA »

Thanks for the advise Wings much appreciated mate
Wings
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Post by Wings »

No problem mate, just grit your teeth, work hard and you'll be fine.


Wings
Passed RSC - 21st July 2004
Start Basic Training - 10th October 2004
Pheonix19
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Post by Pheonix19 »

Alrite lads, might as well give those dedicated to joining the reg some tips on how to train and what to expect before they come to depot.

Dont know what everyones been reading but dont belive half of what you read on here. Dont need to be superman to join the paras, but you do need to have a strong character and mental ability. Its not all about physical fitness.

Screening Week
Ive heard people going on about how its strange to arrive on a Sunday. Thats basically an arrival day, giving everyone the chance to get to know each other, regester everyone in, get issued with some trackies, allocated bed spaces, and basically get a briefing on whats going to happen the next day. Monday will be your first main day. Some of the events covered in screening include...
- PT Sessions (Circuit training)
- Multi Stage Fitness Test (MSFT/Shuttle Run/Bleep Test)
- Basic Fitness Test (1.5mile Warm up, followed by best effort)
- Introduction to Trainasium
- Basic Swimming Fitness Test (2laps + tread water 2min)
- Steeplechase (warm up + best effort)

Tip - Aim to get your 1.5mile time down to less than 9min before you arrive at ITC(C), as the course has a few hills which drag a bit and deduct a good 20-30 seconds off your timing. As a guideline, the week before depo I got 8:02, and on the test at ITC, I got 8:30)

As for physical training before you join, theres not alot in particular you can do. However, I did alot of running (4-6miles, 3per week), which built up my endurance which has helped me out a fair bit.

Be prepared to do a fair bit of upper body work, and be prepared to be pushed far beyond your limits. First 6 weeks are the worst, but eases off a bit, more free time after then. First few PT Sessions will feel like hell, but thats probably because you have not done anything like that before. Eventually you will enjoy most of the physical fitness training, even thou its knackering at the time.

One thing to take into account is the course is gradual. For example, the first tab you do will be only about 3miles, and the first run you do will also only be 3 miles. Also note, that upto now, only 3 platoons have started the new 26 week course. The course has had two weeks added, and been completly redesigned to give recruits more preparation for P-Company. So those who think they know it all about training, probably dont know all they make out to know, as its a bit different now.

One last thing to note for new entrants. If you are not fit enough, and purhaps fail the screening week, you have not failed selection for the Paras. You will simply be put into a dedicated platoon, which is designed to get you fit, and read to start training with the next platoon, usually about 5-6 weeks later.

I wont give away too much. Wouldnt want to spoil it, as its fun to learn from your mistakes, and trust me, you will learn from SEVERAL, every day!!! If I was to give away any one tip out of everything it would be this. EAT QUICKLY - SCOFF IS CALLED SCOFF FOR A REASON - you will see exactly what I mean when you start training. Current and ex-paras among you will know what I mean.

Good luck lads,
Pain is nothing but weakness leaving the body
Wings
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Post by Wings »

Pheonix19,

Thanks for some quality advice mate! It's good to hear from someone who knows what they're talking about.

Good luck with the rest of your training mate.

Much appreciated,



Wings
Passed RSC - 21st July 2004
Start Basic Training - 10th October 2004
thebrasso
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Post by thebrasso »

hi all, when i did an insight visit (well two-one was cut short) at browning barracks in aldershot, in 2000, they gave everybody a phone number and told people to ring them if their recruiting office was mugging them off, and an officer from RHQ would then ring the office up and sort it out.

might be worth some of you getting in contact with RHQ in Colchester, sure there will be a contact number on the paras website, or somebody on here will have one.

best of luck anyway.
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