'The Paras' Video

[Tilly]

Hi

I've just watched 'The Paras' video of the BBC 1982 documentary series following 40 new recruits from their first day through training to passing out and active service.

Although I would have liked more emphasis on P Company it was still worth a watch even after 21 years.

What was interesting was that one of the recruits who was consistently poor in the physical exercises (and by poor I mean absolutely cr*p) was passed through the various selections based solely on his effort and ended up being one of the sixteen who eventually made it.

Hope for us all then.

[goldie ex rmp]

could that have been because of the TV crews ???

[ED]

Good programme but take it with a pinch of salt. Firstly they had to show that effort would be rewarded in the Paras for the sake of tv. Secondly, the staff had to curtail their behaviour and "methods" of training, again because of the tv crew. If a tv company had unrestricted access to depot Para way of life then the staff would be in the shit. From my experience somebody who struggled that much would be either be backsquaded or given the option of a transfer.
The P-Company video is worth watching. Straight to the point with no bullshit and very motivational. You can get it from the airborne museum shop online.
ED.

[goldie ex rmp]

anything filmed for tv is going to be second rate, just look at the REDCAPS series they filmed in the 90's what a load of crap...and i was in it lol

[I love beasting]

Yeah TV make things look so tame. That POW drama on ITV a few month back...the amount of lip the Germans were tollerating was unrealistic. In the film 'The Pianist' the SS were dropping anyone who looked at them. Doubt they're going to take cheek from POWs.

I'm signing up for the Paras and if I had as an easy time as the boys on 'The Paras' documentary id think I was in my old Scout Troop. Only watched half of it (awaiting the P-Coy Selection)...its a good watch though and would recomend it as a good motivational tool.

[RobT]

I was watching SAS survival Secrets and it had a little clip of a Instructor pushing and pushing this lad who looked like he was going to fall over every few seconds.

Was this the video?

[Ric]

Yeah that was from 'The Paras'. Cpl Lyden (apologies for the sp?) was 'motivating' Private Cunningham over an assault course during the 'basic wales' phase of training. Those all important attributes of not giving up and maintaining momentum were being driven home!

[Guest]

I think it was his own fault because he obviously did not train enough before he went to depot and therefore he just got beasted until he bled!!

James

[theparamancan]

But he stuck at it and saw it through to the end.

It will be interesting to see how many of you do.

GOOD LUCK!

[ED]

I think the reason that he stuggled was that he seemed to be one of those people who has a naturally low fitness level. He did show great determination to stick at it and maybe that is why he got through. However nobody who struggled that badly made it to the end of my intake in depot.
4 Para Rec, I agree it would be interesting to see how many of these chaps last the distance. All the training in the world before depot means jack shit. In depot you are in a permanently exhausted state. There comes a point when fitness will not be enough and only character counts.
ED.

[Guest]

What are you boys getting at, telling me that i am not good enough? I don't care how much sh*t i have to get thru before i become a Para, but i will get there. But yeh i think that some people on here don't know what they are getting themselves in for when they join up.

James

[judy29]

where can i get a copy of "the paras", can you still buy it nowadays?

[I love beasting]

www.amazon.co.uk my friend, I got it in two working days - well worth it.

[Guest]

or http://www.airborneshop.com/acatalog/Pa ... orces.html