Ok,this is my first post here,most of my question have been answers using the search function but this hasnt been coverd and if it has,im not satisfied with the replys,so please bare with me...
Ive been looking at joining the paras for sometime now,but have been turned off,specialy because of the role they have played in Iraq and Afghanistan and as far back as the early 90's.
Is it just me or are they getting shafted with peace-keeping operations while the Marines get all the sexy missions? I thought they were shook troops! I want to join a fighting unit,I dont want to baby sit anyones neighborhood,I dont want to hand out food.
Are the paras for me,or should I take my ass over to the Marines for some action.Ive read on these forums,many times comments along the lines of...if you wanna see action,join the paras...this dosnt seem to be true anymore.This is very disapointing,how do the paras themselves feel about it? Knowing that there are iraqi and taliban instalations to blow to hell and rebel fighters to send to hell,and instead they get to clean up and restore the peace.
Why has the Paras role changed so much? Im sure they are capable,if not more so then the marines are to excecute search and destroy missions in the mountains of afghanistan.
Im joining the military to fight...where do i sign?
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Shafting the Paras
The paras
Jason_m4,
Have you forgotten about the joint Para/SAS raid conducted in Sierra Leone in 2000?
By your definition of seeing action, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry have seen more action than the Paras in Afghanistan. I believe it's unlikely any nations other than the US are going to go on the offensive in Afghanistan at this point.
Be careful about the language you use, not because we're offended but because you might be marked as a nutter when you enter the AFCO and will not be allowed to join HM Forces.
What they want to hear is that you want to prove yourself in training, lead the active army lifestyle and see the world, not be behind a desk 9 to 5 etc. If all you want to do is kill, you're looking at the wrong job, seriously.
No one on this forum will be able to predict whether or not is is the Paras or the Marines who will go on the offensive next. If you join a line regiment your future may be easier to anticipate, depending on your role or task. You'd also know whether or not you'd be going to NI within your term of service and thus not on high-intensity warfighting.
If you're still not sure, consider where in the UK you will be based. RM are in Devon and Scotland, Paras are in Kent and Essex - does this help?
Where in Canada are you? I've been through the enlistment process as a Canadian national and can help you.
Have you forgotten about the joint Para/SAS raid conducted in Sierra Leone in 2000?
This is very disapointing,how do the paras themselves feel about it? Knowing that there are iraqi and taliban instalations to blow to hell and rebel fighters to send to hell,and instead they get to clean up and restore the peace.
By your definition of seeing action, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry have seen more action than the Paras in Afghanistan. I believe it's unlikely any nations other than the US are going to go on the offensive in Afghanistan at this point.
Be careful about the language you use, not because we're offended but because you might be marked as a nutter when you enter the AFCO and will not be allowed to join HM Forces.
What they want to hear is that you want to prove yourself in training, lead the active army lifestyle and see the world, not be behind a desk 9 to 5 etc. If all you want to do is kill, you're looking at the wrong job, seriously.
No one on this forum will be able to predict whether or not is is the Paras or the Marines who will go on the offensive next. If you join a line regiment your future may be easier to anticipate, depending on your role or task. You'd also know whether or not you'd be going to NI within your term of service and thus not on high-intensity warfighting.
If you're still not sure, consider where in the UK you will be based. RM are in Devon and Scotland, Paras are in Kent and Essex - does this help?
Where in Canada are you? I've been through the enlistment process as a Canadian national and can help you.
"Poor Ike, it won't be a bit like the Army. He'll find it very frustrating. He'll sit here and he'll say, 'Do this! Do that!' And nothing will happen."
Harry Truman
Harry Truman
judy29:Thanks for the welcome mate! I understand what your saying about certain units being designated 'spearhead' and im pretty sure I understand how it works with the 16AA bridgade and the rapid reaction force.What im saying is that a unit like the Paras,wich are considerd shock,elite,spearhead ect ect are not being used to their full potentiol...IMO.
When is the last time they jumped?When is the last time they secured an airfield or port of entry,when is the last time they conducted COMBAT operations? Simply put,when is the last time they were allowed to do their job?...1999-2000 sierra lione wich lasted the whole of 90 mins.
If im correct,they were in basra...only after the Marines had gone.Afghanistan,they were left to patrol Kabul.This could have been tasked to a number of different line units,not a elite,crack,shock fighting force like the British Parachute Regiment.
df2inaus,thanks for the advice,and dont mind the slang...I just needed to get that off my chest.This frustrates me becuase ive wanted to join this unit with a passion,but because I want to fight with Paratroopers at my side.Ive always considerd the Paras to be if not equal,superior to the US Army Rangers.How could this be if they havnt been given the chance to prove themselves at their task...combat.
The Paras are not just paratroopers,they are elite fighter,they are trained to fight,fight hard and never give up.Instead they are tasked with handing out rice bags to civilians.This is all roses and tulips in its own right,but im sure anyone whos considerd joining the Paras is there for one reason...to fight.No one joins the Paras,the Royal Marines,the US Rangers,to hand out food and walk childern to and from school.These a different men,for a different task.
Its not that I simply want to kill,althought that could sum up any soldier in any eilite/SF unit down to its most primitive form,they want to fight,and fighting means killing.I do want to prove myself in training,I do want to lead and active army lifestyle,I do want to see the world and not sit at a desk 9-5,but I woud also like to do the job im trained for.Wich in the case of the Paras,is combat.
When is the last time they jumped?When is the last time they secured an airfield or port of entry,when is the last time they conducted COMBAT operations? Simply put,when is the last time they were allowed to do their job?...1999-2000 sierra lione wich lasted the whole of 90 mins.
If im correct,they were in basra...only after the Marines had gone.Afghanistan,they were left to patrol Kabul.This could have been tasked to a number of different line units,not a elite,crack,shock fighting force like the British Parachute Regiment.
df2inaus,thanks for the advice,and dont mind the slang...I just needed to get that off my chest.This frustrates me becuase ive wanted to join this unit with a passion,but because I want to fight with Paratroopers at my side.Ive always considerd the Paras to be if not equal,superior to the US Army Rangers.How could this be if they havnt been given the chance to prove themselves at their task...combat.
The Paras are not just paratroopers,they are elite fighter,they are trained to fight,fight hard and never give up.Instead they are tasked with handing out rice bags to civilians.This is all roses and tulips in its own right,but im sure anyone whos considerd joining the Paras is there for one reason...to fight.No one joins the Paras,the Royal Marines,the US Rangers,to hand out food and walk childern to and from school.These a different men,for a different task.
Its not that I simply want to kill,althought that could sum up any soldier in any eilite/SF unit down to its most primitive form,they want to fight,and fighting means killing.I do want to prove myself in training,I do want to lead and active army lifestyle,I do want to see the world and not sit at a desk 9-5,but I woud also like to do the job im trained for.Wich in the case of the Paras,is combat.
HAHA,sorry about the American term,I dont know what came over me 
You are very right,although I posted these opinions in hope that someone would prove me wrong,I think its time I begin looking into earning myself a green beret.
Much of the para side of things is now mechanised whereas the Corps are still capable of man packing all kit or getting the kit where it is required to with the assistance of other integral units (Logs or air drops etc).
they do aggressive patrolling or fighting patrols.
This is what I am talking about,back in WWII when the Paras and the Airborne in genreal began and won their reputaions and glory.They were not conventional troops,they were not there to police anything,they were there to conduct combat operations,lightning fast raids,attack and hold...wich is what im looking for.Conventional warfare as it was in WW2, Korea etc is going to be a distant memory
You are very right,although I posted these opinions in hope that someone would prove me wrong,I think its time I begin looking into earning myself a green beret.
The Marines Yomp the Para's Tab, they both carry more than there fair share of the load in their pack, so of it is just the luck of the draw, some time the Marines feel left out, and other times the Para's feel that they are not getting their fair share of the action. It is the just the level of the compition between the two units but while we have such units as these we should count our blessings.
Here endth the first lesson.
Here endth the first lesson.
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paras
Just to throw a spanner in the works, the last unit to do an operational jump was 2 'para' sqn RAF Regt 
Hi all
The thing is, the British Government is continually trying to cut back on military costs, and in an attempt to do this, have come up with plans for a "smaller" and "lighter" force. For many years now, since WWII, the British Govern. have always tried to oust the Paras saying that there is no need for them anymore, but the Paras are still here. No one really knows what is in store the military in the future, but my guess would be that the Marines and Paras will stay as the new smaller and lighter force for Britain, which will hopefully see more action.
Although, the World has changed significtantly since WWII, and now the World is more concerned about "money" and "costs" and simply see war as unnecessary and too expensive. Best action you'd probably get is handing out sacks of rice, no matter what Reg. you're in, especially in the future.
No doubts, my hopes are that I will see some "real" combat within my time in the Paras - once I'm in that is
Just my two cents
The thing is, the British Government is continually trying to cut back on military costs, and in an attempt to do this, have come up with plans for a "smaller" and "lighter" force. For many years now, since WWII, the British Govern. have always tried to oust the Paras saying that there is no need for them anymore, but the Paras are still here. No one really knows what is in store the military in the future, but my guess would be that the Marines and Paras will stay as the new smaller and lighter force for Britain, which will hopefully see more action.
Although, the World has changed significtantly since WWII, and now the World is more concerned about "money" and "costs" and simply see war as unnecessary and too expensive. Best action you'd probably get is handing out sacks of rice, no matter what Reg. you're in, especially in the future.
No doubts, my hopes are that I will see some "real" combat within my time in the Paras - once I'm in that is
Just my two cents
