THE PARACHUTE REGIMENT

The parachute Regiment (Para Reg) is the British army’s airborne force. To earn their place in the Regiment, recruits complete the 24-week Combat Infantryman’s Course. Core skills taught on the course include:

a. Skill at Arms. Weapons training with the SA80 and the MILAN anti-tank weapon.

b. Fieldcraft. Learning to live outdoors, camouflage and movement in the field.

c. Physical Training. Including cross-country runs, marches in battle order and assault courses.

The first 12 weeks of the course is Basic Training and in addition to the core skills, recruits learn first aid, signal communications, map reading, drill and nuclear, biological and chemical defence. Recruits do not have home leave during the first six weeks of the course and this can be one of the hardest periods as they get used to their new lifestyle. After week six of the course, recruits are given weekend leave when they are not on duty or on exercise.

In weeks 19 to 20, soldiers complete the Pre-parachute Selection, or P Company; series of physical tests designed to ensure that an individual has the self-discipline and motivation required for service with airborne forces. The tests include a ten-mile march carrying a 35lb pack and weapon in one hour and 50 minutes. After passing P Company, recruits complete the final phase of infantry training and prepare for the Pass Out Parade. Soldiers then move on to the four-week Basic Parachute Course at the Royal Air Force station at Brize Norton. At the end of this course, soldiers are presented with their Military Parachutist Wings and they are ready to take their place in one of the Regiment’s three operational Parachute Battalions.

3.s	Answer the questions.

1. How long is theCombat Infantryman’s Course?

2. When do recruits have leave?

3. What is the purpose of P Company?

4. What do soldiers learn at RAF Brize Norton?

5. How many battalions does the Parachute Regiment have?

4.ó

®

Describe the training of offices or soldiers in Ukraine. Talk about one of the subjects:

1. Adapting to life in the military.

2. Schools and courses.

3. Military training.

4. Physical training.

 

5.	Order the ranks.

 

	sergeant
	colonel
	corporal
	private
	captain

 

6.	Complete the text. Use the words from the box.

 

captain

colour sergeant

corporal

major

regimental sergeant major

sergeant

Profile: Major Tom Parry, 3 Para

1975: Recruit training course at Army Training Regiment. Tour in Cyprus with the UN.

1979: Attended Section Commander’s Battle Course. Promoted to (1) _____

1982: Served in the Falklands War. Promoted to (2) _____. 2IC of an infantry platoon.

1987: Promoted to (3) _____. Instructor at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

1993: Promoted to (4) _____ and posted to the Army Training Regiment, Winchester.

1997: Attended commisioing course at Sandhurst. Commisioned as a (5) _____.

2003: Promoted to the rank of (6)_____.

7.ó

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Describe the pictures.