At a glance
- Featured
- Soldier
- combat
As an Infantry Soldier in the Parachute Regiment, you will be part of the Army’s Global Response Force, protecting the nation and preventing conflict. You'll be held at very high readiness, primed to respond to emerging crises worldwide. Have you got what it takes to stand out from the rest and become a Paratrooper?
Highly skilled. Extremely fit. Always ready for the next challenge. The Parachute Regiment provides the Airborne or Parachute Infantry of the British Army. As a 'Para' you will be in one of our high-readiness battalions, ready be the first to deploy anywhere in the world. You will need to be able to build and maintain a very high level of fitness, and pass the demanding P Company selection test before you begin parachute training and earn the privilege of wearing the Regiment's maroon beret.
From disaster relief to protecting the nation, for our close combat professionals nothing compares to life in the Infantry. You’ll be at the heart of the action, working to keep vulnerable communities safe and prevent conflict. This is what doing something that really matters looks like. No matter what you’re doing or where you are in the world, you’ll work and train alongside other highly skilled Infanteers. They’re there to help you through whatever life throws at you, on operations, on exercise or on the sports field. It’s belonging like nothing else; and they’ll become friends for life. With the chance to gain qualifications, you will learn and move up the ranks too.
Key Responsibilities
Train to join one of the British Army’s unique Airborne Infantry battalions
Become a qualified parachutist, which attracts additional specialist pay
Be part of the UK’s high-readiness forces, trained and ready to deploy first in times of emergency
Master a number of weapons, including SA80 Rifle, Underslung Grenade Launcher, Light Support Weapon and the Light Mortar
Deploy around the world on everything from frontline operations to disaster relief missions
Train routinely alongside airborne forces from the United States, France and other NATO countries
Work in a close-knit team and make friends for life
Get promoted into a huge variety of specialist Infantry roles and eventually advise senior officers
Learn to parachute and join one of the British Army’s elite organisations
Have any questions? Talk with us
Reserve (part time)
Entry requirements
Age:
From 17 years & 9 months to 39 years & 6 months
Qualifications:
No formal qualifications needed
Basic physical fitness assessment:
Mid Thigh Pull 76kg
Medicine Ball Throw 3.1m
MSFT (beep test) level 11.03
Army Reserve standards
Mid Thigh Pull 76kg
Medicine Ball Throw 3.1m
MSFT (beep test) level 11.03
Training for the role
Step 1
You start Basic Training, this consists of two main courses and some online training packages. You can book on the courses to fit around your daily life, so it could take you several months to finish your basic training.
Module 1: Foundation Training. 5 alternate residential weekends Fri - Sun at an Army training centre.
Module 2: Battlecamp. A further 6 alternative weekends at an Army training establishment. You will learn fieldcraft, Skill at Arms, fitness training, qualities of a soldier, military knowledge, Battlefield casualty drills, individual health and education. This will culminate with a Passing Off Parade which your family and friends can attend to celebrate your success.
Step 2
You will attend a two-week Combat Infantryman’s Course in Catterick, North Yorkshire, where you will be assessed by Regular Parachute Regiment P Company Staff.
Step 3
You will attend five weekends of Pre-Parachute Selection training and 11 training evenings in your local Army Reserve Centre before you attempt to pass the Parachute Regiment Selection tests and earn the right to wear the coveted maroon beret of a Parachute Regiment Soldier.
Step 4
You will attend a Basic Parachute Course at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, where you will earn the right to wear the famous British Army Parachute Wings on your shoulder. You will now start to enhance the many and varied skills required to be an Airborne Infantry Soldier.
4 PARA recruits nationwide with locations in Glasgow & Edinburgh (A Company), White City London, Croydon & Romford (B Company), Pudsey & Hebburn (C Company) and Nottingham & Newport (D Company).
Qualifications you could get after training
All driving licences
Parachuting
Pay & benefits
You'll get paid a day rate according to your rank, starting from £63.27 in training and once you're a Private and increasing as you rise through the ranks. Plus, if you complete all of your annual training, you're entitled to a tax-free lump sum called a bounty.
How to Apply
When you decide to apply, your local unit will help you through the process - you don't need to wait until you've finished Army Assessment to get involved.
To join, you have to apply online. The application process will take some time, but you can also ring the unit you're interested in joining - the team there will help often invite you to join them for drill nights, and you'll get support for your application.