4/73 Special Observation Post Battery RA

[jester]

Hi guys,
i was just wondering if anyone could explain a bit more about 4/73 selection and their role. From what i gather they are not special forces, is this correct? They do a selection a bit like UKSF and their TA counterpart the Honourable Artillery Company are considered special forces?
Thanks for any help with this!

[adj125]

their TA counterpart the Honourable Artillery Company are considered special forces?

They are not part of the UKSF structure

[adj125]

http://www.army.mod.uk/5regtra/organisa ... attery.htm

[markthestab]

sorry i can only offer you heresay

i have a mate in 29 cdo RA and he absolutly loathes them but even he admits they're good if you push him

they have to do a patrol selection course which is a lot like special forces selection but not UKSF

sort of like the pathfinders, 148 bty or royal marine mountain leaders

interestingly though, 148 bty were favoured for their role on telic 1

[Spooky]

hear say here to,


as i understand HAC used to get something like SF pay for their role - so i cant see why their regular counterparts would not have.

[Rocko]

my mates brother is 4/73, just a random one but you have to complete conduct after capture/resistance to interrogation as well..

[Doc]

They dont come under the director of UKSF so therefore aren't SF.

Like already stated seem to be along the lines of 148, BPT, Pathfinders etc. Are any ranks commando or para trained? In no doubt elite but not SF.

[Rocko]

They dont come under the director of UKSF so therefore aren't SF.

Like already stated seem to be along the lines of 148, BPT, Pathfinders etc. Are any ranks commando or para trained? In no doubt elite but not SF.

i believe they are para trained. don't quote me though

[Cobalt]

Not Para or Commando trained (unless they came from 29 or 7 RHA, etc.) but do earn their own pool triangle, or Lateo badge..



The selection course was developed by sneaky beakies and is 'kin hard. Regarded in the Army as second only to you know whos course.

I think the reason they weren't on Telic 1 is because they don't have much representation at the top and are hidden away in 5 Regt. RA. All this has changed from what I hear. They've been up to hijinks with 148 in the U.S. lately and are getting more money for kinky gear like WMIKs.

[jase25064342]

when i was based at 5thregt which is where 4/73 is based,I got to do alot of guard duty and talking with them(almost joined myself but got married)
anyway basically they are arillery unit(OPs),they do a job the sas used to do,namely getting behind enemy lines digging in an op and watching the enemy,so if need be can call artillery.thats itbasically apart odd inteligence and information gavering.
the course is run by artilly nco's and a sas warrant officer.
the training at the time(2002)was done on otterburn ranges in newcastle on tyne....
and from experiance i can tell ya i only did the 3 week beat-up course
and that was harder than either 29 or 7th.....
if i remember rightly the pay is roughly equivelant to that of a rank above you....and also they had plans to change the beret and belt from standard artillery to their own colour for recruitment i suppose as they reckon a little triangle badge is not enough....but i reckon if your gonna do a job like that it should not be for a beret.....ha
cause trust me after sitting in a hole for a month shitting in bin bags you aint gonna care what colour beret you ware...
all in all i would say that 4/73 is a hell of alot more adventorous than either 7th or 29....(probably get some stick) but its true...
any other questions let me know...hope this helps..

[sittingstress]

Jase, no questions whatsoever cos your opinions are about as factual as Hitler's.

Thanks very much for your army number-excellent to post it on www. I can promise you that I will be tasking my Research Team tomorrow to see wha they can dig up.

Regards

ss

PS For Christ's STOP posting personal details. I am will do no harm but some might.

[Chateau Lafite]

Hello Gentlefolk,

Used to be in the HAC for a while and whilst in a period of negative employment did their annual test week for a bit of a giggle. They are top people (even though a little Geordie), and there was great banter between the 4/73 and HAC chaps.

Exercise was nails. Lots of Chinooks, but even more tabbing. Unfortunately it coincided with a scottish winter, so it was a mite cold in the OPs. They do have other specialisations alongside the OP work - some fairly sneaky deaky. They would welcome your application as they, like all units with a difficult selection procedure, are short of blokes.

Peace and Love