A detailed review of the Para's Insight Course!!

[Tab]

May I wish you all the best.

[Stephen]

Sounds almost the same as my insight course back in June.

Of course, try doing all of that on a hot summer's day! Not fun!

Instead of the log race we done command tasks.

[Edwards159]

Ive got my Para Insight this weekend, Cant Wait!! Sounds like it'l be great fun.
Anyone else on the 27th-29th Course?


Chris

[day tripper]

As you know ill be there, and im expecting to be put through hell.

[Grimey Vibes]

Its not hell, thats at depot from what i hear. But they do push you hard, i thought it was going to be an easy weekend, what a shock i got.

[the skeavster]

Nice one mate, i'm thinking of joining the paras as an officer, however i think i'll join as a soldier first to get some experience, your account was an eye opener, i must admit i thought it was going to be all nice and friendly to get you to join, thank god i read your post or the shock would have probably been enough to get me to jack.

You say that you did all your interviews and all the rest of it first, do they prefer it if you do this, or do they not care if you turn up without doing any of that and are still at school (6th form)?

Can't wait till i go on my insight course, I really enjoy pushing myself to my physical and mental limits, that's what made the army appealing to me in the first place, who knows, maybe i'm para material as well!

Skeav

[Grimey Vibes]

Hey Skeavster, no its ok if you have never even been to a AFCO before you go to the Insight Course. They don't know who has applied and who hasn't anyway, but if you go on it and you say that you have at the AFCO they will ask the Para's Insight Course for your report.

[thebrasso]

i did this course back in 2000 when i was looking at going in the Army, seems like they have made some bits of it different. my first visit was cut short because of Sierra Leone, then i went back a few weeks later.

we had lots of beastings, and one of them lasted about 45 minutes with press-ups, squat thrusts, sprints round the blocks, piggybacking etc...a few people jacked in. we didn't do the log race though. and i was at browning barracks, the former para depot back in the day.

i found it funny when i was there, our room faced the trainaisium, and some lads were saying "oh no, bet they are gonna get us on that!"...well you'd have to do it sometime boys.

the army isn't for me, found that out for myself.

[the skeavster]

oh right cheers Grimey, i was getting worried there as i want to give it a go soonish to see if it's for me, as i don't know if it is, although it probably is as I like teamwork, pushing myself, looking hard in combat gear, spending hours cleaning my boots and maroon Berets

Skeav

[Grimey Vibes]

oh right cheers Grimey, i was getting worried there as i want to give it a go soonish to see if it's for me, as i don't know if it is, although it probably is as I like teamwork, pushing myself, looking hard in combat gear, spending hours cleaning my boots and maroon Berets

Skeav

Thats all you can do is give it a go. No point in wondering if it is for you, this way you will know, and so will the Para's as well. You will know inside your heart if you have what it takes to be a maroon machine, if you can't hack the insight course and have doubts about finishing the weekend, then its not for you. But if you finish it and feel sad that you are leaving, like i did, then it is for you. When i left i felt sad because i was going back home to my normal daily routine and i wanted to carry on what i did that weekend because it felt like i was achieving something, it was new to me but i more than enjoyed it. Thats my experience though, i am sure not everyone's is the same, but i am sure the one's who get to depot for the paras is similar.

[Edwards159]

Just did the para weekend. It was very similar to the account. I personally enjoyed it. My run time was 9:20, 52 press ups, 60 situps. Which scouse para said 'aint bad, just work on upperbody a bit'. I was also one of the people not jack when offered another go on the assault course. Must admit i was glad when he told us that we didnt really have to do it again. All mind games... Next day up early for log race. I found this the worst event mainly because 3 people jacked on out log leaving just 4 of us to lug it to the finish. It felt very good when we finished, Captain came over to us and said well done because we finished with just 4. Then that was it off home.

It basically gave me a bit more confidence and i felt a little bit closer to the paras. And it showed that with a bit of guts and determination getting into the best regiment is achievable.

[Guest]

Captain came over to us and said well done because we finished with just 4

4 LEFT!!! It isnt THAT hard! Although it has changed quite alot since i did mine. For example, we never did the log run or the beastings or any of that. Not bad scores by the way.

[Edwards159]

Well been as there was 8 on the other log and we kicked there arses with 4 the captain came over and said 'well done'

[Grimey Vibes]

I beg to differ the log race being easy. Now, now little 'bitch' you only did it on your work experience, its really hard to do when your legs get stiff and you can't seem to suck up anymore air and you need more oxygen and you have to keep pushing yourself to finish. I was really pleased with myself for finishing it having pushed myself to complete it.

[Edwards159]

Not to mention the b*st*rd of a warm up they give you before each event.. I was bollocksed after the warm up...