A weekend with the Parachute Regiment

[Dukat]

Hey all, as a couple of you may know I spent this weekend training with the Parachute Regiment down in colchester as part of thier insight course. I'm hoping to join and this really gave me a great chance to see what it was really like, and what I would need to do to get in.

Everything was free, food, accomodation, even the train ticket!

Anyway, posted from my blog type thing:

The camp was impressive - brand new Merville barracks, everyone got thier own room, which was unexpected. If you think this meant the weekend was easy, think again! The first thing we did after dumping our kit in our rooms was the 'bleep test'(running against a timer that gets smaller each cycle), which wasnt all that bad, just basically got us moving, some of the people who showed up really shone in this test though, you got a good indication of what was to come and how people would do overall, although there were suprises!

The next day we had a fairly easy start, light breakfast then off to do our 1.5 mile run. I knew I'd struggle here, but I was actually worse than I'd expected. The instructors had us doing a really large amount of warm up before we even started, then we did a run of the 1.5 mile course as a squad, which was worse than it sounds because the instructor leading us sprinted the first half a mile!

Arriving back at the start of the 1.5 mile course most of us were shattered, and we hadnt even started, when we did start I knew I was going to find it tough, but I managed to get round, albeit with a pretty shabby time - something I need to work on.

I have to admit, my confidence took a real hit after this, I really did wonder if I was cut out for it, I knew going into this weekend that I'd have low points, and this was most definately one of them, but I just kept my head down and took it as it came.

After the run we did a bit of theory - talking about the weapons, kit and parachute gear that we might end up using if we get into the Regiment, anyone who had been to cadets had a fairly good knowledge of all this though, so it wasnt anything new to alot of us.

After this short break from being exhausted, we went off to do the command tasks and assault course race.

The command tasks weren't too bad on thier own, but we had to do laps of the area and press ups every time we messed up, so we were still being fairly active during these.

Then came the assault course. We had to go through each area one at a time, then do the whole thing as a section. The hardest parts were the 12ft wall, the rope climb and the monkey bars. The other areas still had to be sprinted through though, so we were pretty tired before we were even half way through.

The section I was in won the race, which really did alot to boost my confidence, especially after the shabby 1.5 mile performance!

After this we had a careers talk and then went to naafi, which was great.

We got our heads down early saturday night, as we had to be up for the much dreaded log race sunday at 6:30am - I managed to get up in time, but those who didnt got a real suprise when the instructors came round at 6am shouting and dragging people out of bed!

The race itself was preceded by another warm up, and a short run with the log to get used to the weight. Before we'd even started we'd gone quite a distance. The race itself was the hardest thing I've ever been through, straight away I started to struggle, but kept pulling my weight. A couple of guys started to flag and the guy infront of me came off the log, so I had to push forward and take up the weight, I was pushing myself harder than I ever had before, and we weren't even half way through! It was a real rush to see people who had beaten me by clear minutes on the 1.5 mile run the day before, dropping off the log, a couple of whom were in tears!

The instructors were brutal for this race, shouting and pushing us on, really digging into anyone not pulling thier weight. Being at the front was really tough, having to pull the log instead of follow it, with your performance more or less dictating the speed of the rest of the group. About two thirds of the way through I was sure I was going to collapse, I've never been that tired before, never been anywhere near that sort of feeling, it was an effort to do anything but the group had to keep moving, we were going as fast as possible, every time someone dropped the log got heavier for the rest of us, the instructors making it difficult with the shouts and pushes that made you want the ground to open up and swallow you.

It was about this point, between half way and three quarters of the way through, that I'd kinda gotten into a bit of a rythm for it, there was one part of me saying "you cant do this, let go of the log, you're shit, let go and stop running because you just cant do it anymore!!", then another part which kept saying "STAY-ON-THE-LOG" over and over, then a rather peculiar third part of my mind wasnt even getting involved and just kept singing "Umbrella" by Rihanna the whole way round (I'd heard it in naafi the night before) - I think it was this part of me that helped the most!!

I was on the verge of giving up (I think) when we got to the 3 quarters mark, and the instructors started screaming at us to sprint. so somehow, we sprinted. It was just intense, I couldnt have stood under normal circumstances, but I was pulling the log and sprinting as fast as I could, trying not to think, trying to breathe, just looking down and running full pelt feeling like my arm was about to fall off, and the next thing I knew we'd finished.

I really dont know how I didnt give up, but I guess that's part of the test, the determination I felt on the last sprint was something I really didnt know I had in me. I think everyone on the team had to reach deep to carry on at that point - it was a team effort and everyone put in well over 110%.

So there we were, standing still and trying to breathe, feeling about as tired as we ever had, and then one of the instructors shouted "OK LADS! WHO WANTS TO GO AGAIN?"

I put my hand up and said yes, I dont know why, because there was no way in hell I'd manage to get round the course a second time, I'd have fallen flat on my face for sure, and probably before I'd gone even half the way round! but I was past thinking, just put my hand up and got ready for it. We took up the weight and got ready to go again, then the instructor said "Right, just as far as the van lads!"(20 yards away), just testing us to see who was determined enough to attempt it and who wasn't.

I was close to dropping out, I think it was really just a personal stubborn arsed part of my personality that stopped me, but whatever it was, it was definately one of the best feelings in the world to know I'd gotten all the way round. I felt sorry for the guys who dropped out, as I knew how close to it I had been. I think its more of a personal thing that you have to get through alone, you're at the log with a group, but you're in your own world when you're running it, and the decision to go on or not is something you have to come to alone - I learnt alot about myself doing that race, and it really did bring my confidence back up to where it needs to be.

After that we were basically done, we went through interviews etc, but the physical tests were over.

Overall the weekend was great, ups and downs obviously, but the guys were great, the instructors were incredable and the tests were exhausting but rewarding. I know I definately need to get fitter, but I now also know I have the determination to get through it. Back to training tomorow, now I know where the requirements are I know what I need to do, so hopefully I can really put alot more effort into training, and put as much effort in as I did in the log race.

Anyway, I thought I'd just post this for anyone who is interested, it was great fun, and I'd recommend it to anyone who is interested in this sort of thing, or who just wants a bloody tough physical challenge!

 

[cHodAX]

then a rather peculiar third part of my mind wasnt even getting involved and just kept singing "Umbrella" by Rihanna the whole way round

I always knew you were fucking nuts!

Nicely done though bud, as I said in the original thread it is 90% stamina/endurance but you can be the fittest guy in the world and fail if you don't have the mental toughness. By the sounds of it you used the song to block out the pain, something which the pros do when under extreme duress. Now you just need to get your fitness levels up and I am sure you will be ready to have a damn good crack at it.

Anyway, I wish you very best of luck bud

 

[Calaen]

gj pikey

 

[GRN]

It's always the best of fun when you get to push yourself to the limit and over, be it a psychological or physical challenge.

All in all, sounds like you've found your place in the world -- keep it up and best of luck!

 

[cHodAX]

Btw 'A weekend with the Parachute Regiment' sounds like a sleazy British skinflick!

 

[GRN]

Btw 'A weekend with the Parachute Regiment' sounds like a sleazy British skinflick!

Now that you mention it, having a log race started to sound oddly ambiguous!

 

[Sparx]

Well done!

Good to see they actually gave you a weekender where you see what its like rather than fluff it up and make you think its a piece of piss like some regiments do

One of the hardest challenges you'll do is not the 1.5 tests, or the command tasks or rifle skills its beating that voice in your head that tells you to give up. Once you beat him you will make it

I was in the Scots Guards, our training was very very tough and there were times i was ready to give in, glad i never

 

[Marc]

have fun in iraq and afghanistan in a couple of years. Oh and when you leave the paras, id put "unemployed" on your CV for the time you spent in the middle east. Unless the only job you want is a bodyguarding one back out there.

 

[Lamp]

Weekend with the parachute regiment could also involve getting bent over the front of an army land rover while the entire squadron roger you into next week.

 

[Sparx]

and when you leave the paras, id put "unemployed" on your CV for the time you spent in the middle east. Unless the only job you want is a bodyguarding one back out there.

Bollocks. Any company will snap you up due to being in the services, i've had jobs i shouldnt have had purely because i have the guards on my CV

Civvy Employers are fascinated by soldiers, they are seen as extremely well disciplined, well groomed and other good things oh and have great stories to tell people too

 

[Marc]

Bollocks. Any company will snap you up due to being in the services, i've had jobs i shouldnt have had purely because i have the guards on my CV

Civvy Employers are fascinated by soldiers, they are seen as extremely well disciplined, well groomed and other good things oh and have great stories to tell people too

3 of my mates are back in iraq bodyguarding because they cant get a job back in england.

 

[cHodAX]

Bollocks. Any company will snap you up due to being in the services, i've had jobs i shouldnt have had purely because i have the guards on my CV

Civvy Employers are fascinated by soldiers, they are seen as extremely well disciplined, well groomed and other good things oh and have great stories to tell people too

It certainly gets you the interview as a couple of my friends would verify, the problem is that some soldiers cannot adapt to being back in civilian life and therefore they can come across as being too regimented. That scares some employers, not because they are scared of having someone disciplined working for them but how that person will interact with a bunch of civilians who have much less discipline. So it is a mixed bag, some employers love former soliders but some others are too worried about how they will fit in to give them a chance so they take the easy way out and employ the person who fits into the social structure best.

 

[GRN]

3 of my mates are back in iraq bodyguarding because they cant get a job back in england.

A mate of mine does bodyguarding gigs in South America now and then. It's good money if you're willing to take the risks.

PS. No, he isn't working for any cartell or such, personal bodyguarding only. You should suggest that part of the world to your mates if they want a job where there's a smaller chance of getting shot and propably better pay.

 

[Dukat]

Hehe cheers guys, it was a good weekend

Luckily for me writing CV's isnt as much of a problem as it might seem - I've been to college for 5 years and have enough IT qualifications to land me an okish job, had I of been looking for that sort of thing - maybe after a few years in the army I'll go back to college and top my HND up to a full degree and go that route, however for now I've got my heart set on the Parachute Regiment - an IT 9 to 5 isnt a career that I want to pursue at the present time.

I think its important for me to learn self discipline, gain a bit of self confidence and learn the sort of attitude I saw in the Para's instructing us that weekend.

One of them actually had a piss up the night before the log race(it was his wifes birthday or something), we could hear him being mortal sick at the back of the truck while we started warming up - after no more than a minute he was leading us in a tough warmup run; having just puked his guts up.

Being able to do this sort of thing and having the sort of "lets get on with it then" attitude that these guys had is the main thing I'm after; getting to see the world, making loads of mates, the good food and the pay is just a bonus imo

 

[Marc]

A mate of mine does bodyguarding gigs in South America now and then. It's good money if you're willing to take the risks.

PS. No, he isn't working for any cartell or such, personal bodyguarding only. You should suggest that part of the world to your mates if they want a job where there's a smaller chance of getting shot and propably better pay.

Whilst it sounds a good idea, im not going to mention it because if anything did happen to them, I would feel so bad for bringing it to their attention. Im funny like that

 

[Rookiescot]

Grats mate well done.
As mentioned above most of the tasks they had you doing was to see who had the mental stamina they require. Physical fitness is not top of their list. Believe me, they will give you that so dont worry about your "disapointing" time on the 1.5 mile run.
What they want to find is the guy who although he hasnt slept for 48 hours, is physicaly exhausted, cold and hungry and wet will still get to his feet when someone shouts "STAND TO !!!".
Thats what a recruit troop is all about.
Sounds to me like you may have that

Oh ....a word of caution for anyone thinking of joining .... wait till you are 18 years old.
I joined as soon as I turned 16 and signed up for 6 years.
When I turned 17.5 they told me I had to re-sign for 6 years because the first 2 years wouldnt count as it was not "Colours Service".
Sign for 6 do 8..... go figure.
My mum was well pissed of when I finally came back ..... she had only sent me out for bread and milk.

 

[Jupitus]

Well played, Pikey fella