Maroon Beret Question

[bigduke6]

On a recent visit to a REME training battalion, there was a mixture of beret's I noted but more the "Para Beret" that stood out most, in a conversation with one of the Ex Regs on the course, I was always under the assumption that many years ago that the Red (Maroon) Beret was only awarded after completion of P company and the required jumps, but also a soldier at the time could do the Parachute training without doing P company but was only issued the Para wings...

Only ask as there were a few with the "Red Beret" with no wings and others with wings and Beret...

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[browningautorifle]

In our case a man can do the Para course and get wings...but doesn't get the beret until he gets to the Para unit. So he's in a battalion with wings, gets posted, does a few years and returns to the Inf Bn. This time he has the silver maple leaf showing he's served in the Para unit. Corp types and other field trades do also, including Padres and Surgeons...

[Eaglelord17]

In our case a man can do the Para course and get wings...but doesn't get the beret until he gets to the Para unit. So he's in a battalion with wings, gets posted, does a few years and returns to the Inf Bn. This time he has the silver maple leaf showing he's served in the Para unit. Corp types and other field trades do also, including Padres and Surgeons...

I heard this the other day, not 100% sure its true but I could believe it considering we don't have a airborne regiment anymore. Apparently we have more people who wear tan berets (Canadas special forces) than Maroon Berets in the CF.

Sorry this is a bit of a side track, but I don't know much about how the British do it.

[browningautorifle]

Maybe. We have lots of operators and the Para companies are divided between the three Regiments now.

[Gil Boyd]

Geoff,
Yes there does appear to be a proliferation of Maroon berets in certain locations, one of which is around Colchester where 16 Air Assault Brigade are based. Where was your event?

A decision made on the formation of the Brigade was that other Infantry or relevant units attached to the Brigade could wear the covetted maroon beret without undergoing PARA training in any shape or form and therefore were wingless too.

It was done on the basis, that they then would not feel excluded.

Can't say I agree with the decision making process as one who did the full monty, but heyho............ one has to let it go.
At least its better than a load of Walter Mitty's lording it around with everything up including medals perporting to have done it all and been there at the sharp end hey?

Those on a bigger pay cheque than me are paid to keep "everyone" happy and make these stupid decisions. I know lots of the Parachute Regiment feel the same about it.
There are some benefits, to deception in this way.
Opposing enemies might think there are more of us than there really are and we get to put the typists and cooks over the parapets to charge first ...............as if!!!

and another thing while my heckles are raised about the maroon beret.....................where the hell did that Eagle come from when we were always Pegasus??? answers on a postcard.
British Generals trying to emulate the U.S perhaps???

[bigduke6]

Thanks Jim and Eaglelord17, should of mentioned the British system,

Didn't want to get you hot under the collar Gil but was it a case many years ago you could get the wings without P company by doing just the parachute training like the RAF regiment etc. ? ( normal beret but could wear the wings)

Wasn't an event just training...... (everyone wearing the REME cap badge, it may give an idea of location also home for few Royal Marines)

[browningautorifle]

I knew you were speaking of local...

[Gil Boyd]

Geoff
Doesn't wind me up in the slightest here are the facts Jumps wise:

The Light Bulb is still issued to those who need to jump without the specialism of infantry trained role and DO NOT do P Company.

As an example SPAG (Submarine Parachute Assistance Group) They jump in using static line square chutes into water. They do not jump onto land. They jump from 2500 feet for obvious reasons.
There job is to cover a stricken submarine or boat, jump in and provide a platform until real medical cover help arrives. They are a mixed bag of surgeons and medical orderlies.

It has always been contenscious but there are other units within the RAF that have a similar situation, but alternatively issue "themselves" full PARA wings, they were Forward Air Controllers and the Parachute Jump Instructors all of which also do not do P Company or selection!!!
Hope that helps.

[Mk VII]

Glider troops also got it in WW2 without having to do jump training (though some did it as well)