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Paratrooper PARACHUTE REGIMENT

Combat

You’re part of a highly mobile, hard-hitting combat force. Helicopters and other aircraft get you close to the action, and you have the skills you need to drop in by parachute. Backed up by other combat units and resupplied by ground and air, you and your unit have the support you need to succeed.

Are you right for this role?

You should be:

  • Sex: Male
  • Regular Army Age: 16 - 32.11 years
  • Territorial Army Age: 17.6 - 42.11 years

You should have:

  • No formal qualifications required

You should like:

  • Taking risks and feeling the adrenaline
  • Outdoor activities
  • Working outside
  • Target or game shooting
  • Flying or being in an aircraft
  • Driving vehicles

You should be interested or have experience in:

  • Combat
  • Ammunition & Explosives Handling
  • Telecommunication
  • Vehicle / Equip Mechanic
  • Paramedic
  • Security
  • Driving large vehicles
  • Driving small vehicles

Private Jake Williams gets a real buzz from life as a Paratrooper

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Paratrooper

In the Paras you need to be fit, professional and prepared. We are always ready to go on the most demanding operations, and we’re successful because we have a strong ethos that ensures success. We’re often the first unit into hostile places, and in those kinds of areas you need people who you can rely on. The spirit amongst us is fantastic.

 

Regular Army

Paratroopers on patrol during operations Paratroopers on patrol during operations

Training

The Infantry Training Centre Catterick (ITC(C)) trains all Infantrymen joining the British Army & produces the best Infantry soldiers in the world. You’ll complete the PARA Combat Infantryman's Course (28 wks), which combines your initial training, your Infantry training (Phase 1 & 2) and the physically and mentally demanding ‘P’ Company. You learn essential soldiering skills like how to survive in numerous environments and you will build stamina and fitness. You will be taught how to fire the Infantry weapons, how to administer first aid, how to map read in all conditions as well as many other skills of the trade. Junior entry Infantry soldiers (aged 16-17) receive basic training at the Army Foundation College Harrogate, you then complete your Infantry training at ITC(C) (14 wks). After your Infantry training you will then complete a further 2 weeks to gain a B or C drivers license. Finally you attend your jumps course (3 wks). You will now join your Regiment and wear your Para wings.

Skills you can learn

You will have a specialist role within your team: machine gunner, sharpshooter, combat medic or rifleman. Mastering these skills is down to you. You’ll learn how to combine all of the combat roles in order to defeat the enemy, often in hostile or challenging environments. You’ll also be a qualified parachutist and therefore earn more money! The Infantry will teach you how to manage large numbers of people and equipment in high pressure situations. Your communication skills will be second to none. You will learn many life skills that will help you in your future, you will become confident, fit and learn many new skills that you simply would not learn out of the Infantry. As you move up the Infantry career ladder you will be given more responsibility and learn new and exciting things. If you are up to the challenge you could become the senior soldier in one of the British Army’s prestigious Infantry Regiments.

Qualifications you can achieve

  • Driving Licences
  • ILM Team Leading Award
  • Public Services Apprenticeships in Security, Communications, Engineering, Carry and Deliver Goods, or Storage and Warehousing
  • BTEC Level 2 certificate – ‘Relief Operations Skills’
  • NVQ Level 2 Public Service
  • Parachuting

Territorial Army

Paratroopers on patrol during operations

Training

The British Army Infantry TA training takes place at the Infantry Training Centre Catterick, exactly the same place as where your regular counterparts are trained. You will learn the same type of skills as the regular Army, however, your training is fitted into a 2 week window. You will continue to receive regular training at your unit once you have passed the initial 2 weeks. You will learn essential soldiering skills like how to survive in all environments, and how to maintain and use a variety of weapons and build stamina and fitness. After mastering the basics, you can specialise in advanced combat roles such as Sniper, Mortars or Combat Medic. You can also learn a trade and pick up qualifications. The skills you learn here will be lessons for the rest of your life. Territorial training is designed to fit around your day job.

Skills you can learn

As well as the military skills you need to be a Paratrooper, you learn others that you can use in civilian life. Military training teaches you how to think and act when you’re under pressure, it boosts your fitness and gives you practical experience of working as part of a team. Your confidence gets a boost and you’ll be ready for any challenge in Army or civilian life.

Qualifications you can achieve

  • Driving Licences
  • ILM Team Leading Award
  • Public Services Apprenticeships in Security, Communications, Engineering, Carry and Deliver Goods, or Storage and Warehousing
  • BTEC Level 2 certificate – ‘Relief Operations Skills’
  • NVQ Level 2 Public Service
  • Parachuting

Move up the ranks

  • Private

    At this level you get a good rate of pay, free healthcare, and subsidised food and board. You’re part of a team that’s required to deliver operational success, so you focus on using your skills. Each promotion brings extra pay and soon you can sit a course that qualifies you for promotion.

  • Lance Corporal

    Now you’ve been promoted, you get more responsibility. You take charge of a four-man fire team. It’s up to you to make sure they work as an effective unit and that everyone has the skills they need. You’re also the second-in-command of an eight-man unit called a section.

  • Corporal

    The next step is to go on a course to develop leadership skills so you can take charge of your own section. This is made up of two fire teams. With help from your Lance Corporal, you keep your section trained and ready for action, and deal with any training, operational and personnel issues.

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