Who gets to do P coy?

[Fusilier]

Fair dos.


I just compare it to soldiers I have met and served with.

[bored_stupid]

I think if you look into it more you'll find that your "and others" actually includes the Paras.

We are talking about the majority lets don’t split hairs. When Para’s go into combat are they not support by other Corps.

My point was simply to highlight the fact that the Paras were actually involved in Panthers Claw, three of whom were killed. I'm not implying that they were there because the Black Watch (amongst others) couldn't do the job without them, mearly pointing out that they were heavily involved in the operation too.

Just cause they didn't make up the bulk of the Battle Group doesn't mean they contributed any less. Just as the actions of the Fusiliers in Now Zad in 2006 shouldn't be over looked cause they were only deployed in a Company Group.

As for your experience of the soldiers you've met/worked with, that far outweighs my limited military experience. However, if you believe the basics are important, then I can certainly comment on the difference in the training at ITC Catterick. Both from what I've seen with my own eyes and heard from lads who've transffered to other Regiments there is a stark differnce in the intensity in the training between Para Reg and the rest of the Infantry.

To be honest I don't think there's many people at Catterick who would honestly state that the general CIC course is as tough or comprehensive as CIC (Para).

If the level of training in one Regiment is higher than another that's got to count for something, as I said all Regiments are not equal, there will be some who are better than others and as a former soldier yourself I'm sure you know that better than me.

[Fusilier]

Regiments there is a stark differnce in the intensity in the training between Para Reg and the rest of the Infantry

Shock troops have a role. They are recruited selected and trained to have superior fitness and aggression. In line with being dropped behind enemy lines, expected to hold with minimal support while expecting heavy loss/casualties.

However that role and experience has shown to be at a disadvantage in N.I or Eastern Europe. Hence the best tag is subjective to me. All I ask when people say best is to ask how is that manifested. What in dead Taliban or VCs?


After training the lads go on to different roles, light, armoured, ceremonial. Are the Para’s best in all of them.


I’m not trying to dig the Para’s out in anyway. I just wanted to remind young men on here that joining other Infantry Regiments is not necessary second best.

[Tab]

Can we agree that the very few Regiments left in the British Army are of a very high Quality, and that the selection for the Para's is stiffer still

[bored_stupid]

.However that role and experience has shown to be at a disadvantage in N.I or Eastern Europe.

Can I ask what you mean by Eastern Europe, what operations are you talking about and how was the Paras role and experience a disadvantage there?

Thats a gen question by the way.

[Fusilier]

No problem tab as I'm boring myself.



You can look it all up yourself mate, its not about which operation its about suitability for peace keeping or exiling in a more policing role, working more closely with civilians.

[bored_stupid]

You can look it all up yourself mate, its not about which operation its about suitability for peace keeping or exiling in a more policing role, working more closely with civilians.

The reason I asked is I've never seen anything that has ever suggested the Paras were at a disadvantage in Bosnia/Kosovo/Macedonia (infact the Paras were chosen as the Spearhead for the last two) and I can't think of anything else you could mean by Eastern Europe.

They were also chosen to spearhead the operations in Sierra Leone and Kabul which again were essentially peace keeping roles so the evidence that they were at a disadvantage in these sorts of roles doesn't seem to add up which is why I asked what you meant incase you knew differently.

[Fusilier]

Mate nothing I say would change your mind and to be honest there is nothing in it for me.

If I'm honest, men I worked with just never saw the need to keep telling others how great or the best they were, they just got on with the job.


I really don't know why we bother with all the these other Infantry Regiments. A couple of thousand seem to be the first in, last out, everywhere at once and doing the job better than everyone else to boot.

All that history, service, battle honours and commendations and medals,.....................wasted on the also ran. Charles Ewart, bet he wished he could have been a Para. lol

[bored_stupid]

Mate nothing I say would change your mind and to be honest there is nothing in it for me.

That's a bit of a cope out really, you put it across as if there were some facts earlier but when questioned about it you refuse to elaborate. I was genuinely interested in hearing what you meant as I thought you were talking about facts from actual operations.

I can however see your point and understand what you're saying but I thought this was a genuine discussion but fair enough if you don't want to continue, I'll take the polite hint to shout up now!

Personally, I have the upmost respect for all the Infantry Regiments & support units as I think they're doing a fantastic job and are a credit to us all.

[Fusilier]

That's a bit of a cope out really, you put it across as if there were some facts earlier but when questioned about it you refuse to elaborate. I was genuinely interested in hearing what you meant as I thought you were talking about facts from actual operations.

For N.Ireland the evidence is their in plenty of reports. However on reflection I may not have explained myself. I never meant that Para’s were or have done a substandard job in Eastern Europe compared to other Regiments in a peace keeping role. Just that there was no evidence that the Para’s were excelling when compared to others in the same role.

My mistake.

I can however see your point and understand what you're saying but I thought this was a genuine discussion but fair enough if you don't want to continue, I'll take the polite hint to shout up now!

Your ok mate no harm done. Them Gloucestershire’s they were pants right. lol

[bored_stupid]

However on reflection I may not have explained myself. I never meant that Para’s were or have done a substandard job in Eastern Europe compared to other Regiments in a peace keeping role. Just that there was no evidence that the Para’s were excelling when compared to others in the same role.

My mistake.

No worries, that clears things up as to what you meant now so thanks.

[Fusilier]

We have hijacked the thread a little so sorry for that. Its been an interesting debate which I am sure will come up again, good luck.

From what I have seen and heard, never done by the way. P company is probable one of the hardest courses outside SF selection. Them yank Rangers or Marines would not know what hit them.