Paras - Marine Commando Differences

[ZeroG]

I hear a lot about the Royal Marines Commandos specialty in Mountain and Arctic warefare. My question is do the Paras train for mountain and arctic warefare also?

[Enfield]

Take a look at info on the RM - this site, as well as their official homepage. The RM was given, during the Cold War, responsibility for NATO's northern flank - ie, Norway. So they spend a lot of time training there. They also have what used to be called the Mountain and Arctic Warfare Cadre (Brigade Recce Troop now?), a special forces group that excels in - obviously - fighting in mountains and winter conditions.
The Paras train in such conditions, and there is a Brit Army battalion tasked for mountain and arctic wafare, but the RM specializes in it.

[ZeroG]

Ahhh...Ok ok. Im wondering since I never hear about the Paras doing anything atround the mountain or cold weather operations. I only hear about exercises in Jungle.

[joew]

I read a report recently that said the RM were the only Brit Armed Forces unit to train in Norway (that obviously must exclude the Regiment). Looks as though the Para's have lost out on getting deployed - at least in the short team - but I should imagine they are fairly stretched at the moment with commitments in Sierra Leone and the Balkans (Macedonia), so maybe that was a contributing factor ... still, the Para's are experts in heli-borne assaults, so I find it surprising they've not been deployed.

[USMCSNIPERONE]

Watched the show on RM Mountain Leaders course on TLC last night! They are Hoo-Yah for sure!

Semper Fi Sniperone

[ZeroG]

So....would that mean the Royal Marines recieve more training than the Paras?


They sure know how to make some kick ass recruiting videos

Hi: http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/static/content/data/[(1709)-03-05-2001]rm_400x300.mov


Low: http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/static/content/data/[(1703)-03-05-2001]rm_160x120.mov

[This message has been edited by ZeroG (edited 10-27-2001).]

[Enfield]

No, it doesn't mean they get more training, just different training. The RM have worked very hard to gain arctic and mountain warfare experience.
I think the RM were low overdue for a deployment, the Paras have been in the headlines a lot over the past few years - Kosovo, Sierre Leone, hostage rescue in Sierra Leone, Macedonia, etc.

No more training in Norway? I saw and article on the Brit Army homepage a month or two ago saying how a new arctic warfare battalion had just been apppointed and would begin training in Norway.

[Daredevil]

Originally posted by USMCSNIPERONE:
Watched the show on RM Mountain Leaders course on TLC last night! They are Hoo-Yah for sure!

Semper Fi Sniperone

I saw that show. It was very good.

[navigator]

I also saw the show. Needless to say, I was impressed. Anyone every hear of U.S. guys going over to take the course?

Will

[daren_s1969]

Originally posted by ZeroG:
So....would that mean the Royal Marines recieve more training than the Paras?


They sure know how to make some kick ass recruiting videos

Hi: rm_400x300.mov]http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/static/content/data/[(1709)-03-05-2001]rm_400x300.mov (http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/static/content/data/[(1709)-03-05-2001)


Low: rm_160x120.mov]http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/static/content/data/[(1703)-03-05-2001]rm_160x120.mov (http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/static/content/data/[(1703)-03-05-2001)

[This message has been edited by ZeroG (edited 10-27-2001).]


Royal Marines basic training is 30 weeks long; I believe this is the longest period of basic training in the world for any non special forces unit, including the Paras.

[kilo whiskey]

Navigator,
I too saw the RM Mtn Ldr program and recorded it. The USMC routinely send Marines on a RM exchange program and those Marines and possibly others can get in the course (if funding is available). Of note, in the final pass-out parade, there is a U.S. Marine barely discernable in the back of the formation.