The Student Room Group

RAF Reg or Paras?

My name's Adam, I'm 18 and had a keen interest in the forces for a while now. I joined as an Air Cadet in 2012 and have had incredible experiences and enjoyed doing different things with them but as I've gotten older I've decided I want to take it to the next level as a career.

The part that I've found most enjoyable personally is going out and doing field craft, learning how to carry out operations, covert movement, camo and concealment, harbour areas, section attacks etc. Something I am currently under taking is the Junior Leaders Course which is something you need a decent amount of fitness for and helps you to learn a lot about being out in the field by training you up until the test phase where you're dispatched with your section for an entire week carrying out operations and being able to survive together. This has all therefore inspired me to go into the force protection side of things.

Now the reason I'm asking this question is because I've heard different things about both the Reg and the Paras about how the Paras are more on the front line whereas the Reg stick to areas around airfields (but I highly respect both by the way so I'm not making any allegations towards either) and I need help deciding which would be more enjoyable as a job and suit me the best.
Advice on this would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Hi Adam. Whilst I was a cadet I went on a work experience course with the Raf reg, which gave me some idea about what that life is like.

The raf reg are exceptionally proffessional, and although they seem to take a large amount of abuse from other services, they are as elite as it gets exculding Special Forces. JL will certainly help you, as will a love of feild craft. As I'm sure you're aware, fitness is absolutely key so train yourself up as much as is possible ahead of selection.

As for front line action, it is true that their primary function is force protection, but their ethos is 'the best for or defence is attack'. In Afgan they were always on patrol, moreso than any Army regt. So I'm not sure where you heard that *******s about being 'stuck around base'.

I can't offer any information about the Paras, but I will say that of those I have met, they have all been complete tossers whereas the raf reg guys were encouraging and supportive. Obviously this is just my experience but I will not be the only one to tell you this.

So from me I would definatley say RAF Regiment, there is plenty of scope for specialist training withing the service, with specialism in chemical warfare, queens colour, airborne and loads more. I was even lucky enough to meet a raf reg sniper, yet another branch. But always go with what feels natural for you.
(edited 7 years ago)
Original post by AirCadet255
Hi Adam. Whilst I was a cadet I went on a work experience course with the Raf reg, which gave me some idea about what that life is like.

The raf reg are exceptionally proffessional, and although they seem to take a large amount of abuse from other services, they are as elite as it gets exculding Special Forces. JL will certainly help you, as will a love of feild craft. As I'm sure you're aware, fitness is absolutely key so train yourself up as much as is possible ahead of selection.

As for front line action, it is true that their primary function is force protection, but their ethos is 'the best for or defence is attack'. In Afgan they were always on patrol, moreso than any Army regt. So I'm not sure where you heard that *******s about being 'stuck around base'.

I can't offer any information about the Paras, but I will say that of those I have met, they have all been complete tossers whereas the raf reg guys were encouraging and supportive. Obviously this is just my experience but I will not be the only one to tell you this.

So from me I would definatley say RAF Regiment, there is plenty of scope for specialist training withing the service, with specialism in chemical warfare, queens colour, airborne and loads more. I was even lucky enough to meet a raf reg sniper, yet another branch. But always go with what feels natural for you.


Second only to special forces? It's comments like that which is why the RAF regiment is viewed as an object of hilarity by the army and the RM.

On patrol more than any army regiment on op herrick? Yeah, I suppose if you count driving round bastion airfield, inside the wire, taking occasional breaks to shoot their own body armour.

OP, if you want to be an infantry soldier, join an infantry regiment, if you want to work in a role tailored towards protection of airfields and RAF assets join the RAF regiment.
(edited 7 years ago)
and herein lays the tension

interestingly the RM 'banter' ref crabs is somewhat ironic given that the RM have fought long and hard to ensure that force protection for the naval service remains 'their' baby ...

the big green army is **** at force protection viewing it asa rolefor the sick lame and lazy or a something to force REMFs to do as part of the 'soldier first' meme...
Original post by moonkatt
Second only to special forces? It's comments like that which is why the RAF regiment is viewed as an object of hilarity by the army and the RM.

On patrol more than any army regiment on op herrick? Yeah, I suppose if you count driving round bastion airfield, inside the wire, taking occasional breaks to shoot their own body armour.

OP, if you want to be an infantry soldier, join an infantry regiment, if you want to work in a role tailored towards protection of airfields and RAF assets join the RAF regiment.


Yet another aimless and unfounded rant at the Raf reg for the sake of it. How increadibly insensitive towards the 10 or so (exact figures are hard to find) guys that were KIA in Afgan.

It hs been said by many that the raf reg became very special forces esq in Afgan, words from serving men, not me.

This is a question designed to promote discussion. Not a place to express your unwanted unthoughtful anger, sorry...'banter'.
All three services would offer what you ask for. It really depends where you wish to see yourself?

All offer their own respective challenges. At some point during your career you'd work with all services.

All conduct operations outside the fence, yes the RAF Regiment focus on Airfield protection and defence, however as do 43 FPG RM up at HMNB Clyde, protecting the nuclear submarines.

Royal Marines Commandos.

Parachute Regiment.

RAF Regiment.

The choice is yours - all are well respected.
(edited 7 years ago)
Wiwo Hercs, about 90% of my tactical flying served the Paras and about 10% SF, so I've worked pretty closely with both. Both are great to work with, but rather different mindsets. Paras very 'in your face', bold, brash etc about their operations, achievements, style etc - a requirement of their role as Spearhead really. Whereas SF, quite the opposite, quite, reserved, hard to get inf out of, full off hidden skills and linguists, medics etc.

No data is available, for obvious reasons, and because SF guys rarely discuss previous units, but it was widely known and accepted that the RAF Regt was a very fruitful recruitment ground for SF, because SF troops, as well as the brawn, require brains. Mostly brawn in the Paras, much more brains in the Regt, so find an individual who had both, and you had a good recruit wherever they came from.
Original post by AirCadet255
Yet another aimless and unfounded rant at the Raf reg for the sake of it. How increadibly insensitive towards the 10 or so (exact figures are hard to find) guys that were KIA in Afgan.

It hs been said by many that the raf reg became very special forces esq in Afgan, words from serving men, not me.

This is a question designed to promote discussion. Not a place to express your unwanted unthoughtful anger, sorry...'banter'.


It's not insensitive to say what they do or point out to someone (calling themselves Aircadet) that the RAF Regt are not Special Forces. Their specialist role is that of airfield defence with some forward observer roles thrown in on top. I worked with them a lot, some of my very best friends are the best the Regt has to offer, and not one of them sees themselves as elite or special. They do have certain roles in support of certain special activities and have a good success rate of making the grade but they are not 'elite'.
Original post by ProStacker
It's not insensitive to say what they do or point out to someone (calling themselves Aircadet) that the RAF Regt are not Special Forces. Their specialist role is that of airfield defence with some forward observer roles thrown in on top. I worked with them a lot, some of my very best friends are the best the Regt has to offer, and not one of them sees themselves as elite or special. They do have certain roles in support of certain special activities and have a good success rate of making the grade but they are not 'elite'.


I never said they were equivalent to Special Forces, you're fundamentally misquoting what I'm actually saying. All I am trying to offer Adam on this thread is my relatively extensive experience with the RAF Regt and what I have heard others, mainly from serving RAF Officers, say about them. It seemed insensitive to suggest that they had no role other than to 'shoot their own body armour' in Bastion, as this is simple untrue.

I'm not asking for a fight, you have just felt the need to rip into me for some unknown reason. If you could add to this discussion without devaluing the opinions of others that would be benefit to us all.
Reply 9
Original post by AirCadet255
I never said they were equivalent to Special Forces, you're fundamentally misquoting what I'm actually saying. All I am trying to offer Adam on this thread is my relatively extensive experience with the RAF Regt and what I have heard others, mainly from serving RAF Officers, say about them. It seemed insensitive to suggest that they had no role other than to 'shoot their own body armour' in Bastion, as this is simple untrue.

I'm not asking for a fight, you have just felt the need to rip into me for some unknown reason. If you could add to this discussion without devaluing the opinions of others that would be benefit to us all.


How long was your work experience that you believe qualifies as extensive?

I've worked on a daily basis with RAF Regt for going on 6 years in the Air Land Integration piece including HERRICK, BATUS, FI and Cyprus so could possibly consider myself a holder of a rounded opinion of them.

Personally, I like them. They are good at what they do. It's almost pointless comparing them with infantry (line or otherwise) at any level above platoon/flight because that's just not their MO. They do the "air" piece better than the Army and hopefully the Green types get the idea or possibly lose the forward air controller capability to the RAF Regt at some point in the future. Possibly for the best to have it under one roof that is actually fully supported rather than having it as a sabbatical which is how the Army views it in my opinion. However, I digress.

Also, Aircadet, it's not particularly good form to use the deaths of servicemen to score points as to who has the roughest time. I'm sure someone from 2 Pl, A Coy, 3RIFLES or 9 Pl, C Coy, 2RIFLES would concur.
Ignoring the various debates going on above, the nearest thing you could get to a qualitative fact when comparing the two is that life in the RAF (living standards, benefits, etc) is generally regarded as better than the other forces.
(edited 7 years ago)
Original post by NFI
How long was your work experience that you believe qualifies as extensive?

I've worked on a daily basis with RAF Regt for going on 6 years in the Air Land Integration piece including HERRICK, BATUS, FI and Cyprus so could possibly consider myself a holder of a rounded opinion of them.

Personally, I like them. They are good at what they do. It's almost pointless comparing them with infantry (line or otherwise) at any level above platoon/flight because that's just not their MO. They do the "air" piece better than the Army and hopefully the Green types get the idea or possibly lose the forward air controller capability to the RAF Regt at some point in the future. Possibly for the best to have it under one roof that is actually fully supported rather than having it as a sabbatical which is how the Army views it in my opinion. However, I digress.

Also, Aircadet, it's not particularly good form to use the deaths of servicemen to score points as to who has the roughest time. I'm sure someone from 2 Pl, A Coy, 3RIFLES or 9 Pl, C Coy, 2RIFLES would concur.


all very valid points, the RAF Regiment exist because of a very real need for effective force protection for the RAF - as i've previously said the Army is a bit **** attitude wise towards Force protection unlike the RAF Regiment and the fleet protection boys in the RM who live and breath force protection in all it;s forms.
From what the OP said it would seem that force protection is the last thing they should be looking at, if they like being in the field. Consider the infantry. Doesn't have to be Para. There are other units which are very 'green' - airborne or commando engineers, gunners, loggies etc.

Some in the RAF Regt like to think of themselves as SF, which is why everyone else takes the p1ss because they're not. They're good at what they do, but they're not special.
Reply 13
Original post by zippyRN
all very valid points, the RAF Regiment exist because of a very real need for effective force protection for the RAF - as i've previously said the Army is a bit **** attitude wise towards Force protection unlike the RAF Regiment and the fleet protection boys in the RM who live and breath force protection in all it;s forms.


Totally agree Zippy. The fact the Army allocated a TA Coy to work alongside the RAF Regt for Tesseral ops just demonstrates the contempt with which the job was held in my eyes. Soon had them flapping when they got in the wire though and the breeze block blast walls started being erected in the accommodation :biggrin:
Original post by AirCadet255
Yet another aimless and unfounded rant at the Raf reg for the sake of it. How increadibly insensitive towards the 10 or so (exact figures are hard to find) guys that were KIA in Afgan.

It hs been said by many that the raf reg became very special forces esq in Afgan, words from serving men, not me.

This is a question designed to promote discussion. Not a place to express your unwanted unthoughtful anger, sorry...'banter'.


Wow, escalated much? For someone with the username "aircadet" who says they're interested in a career in the armed forces you really need to work on that sense of humour.

You suggest I'm expressing "unthoughtful anger", I'm not angry at all, I find it amusing that you'll parrot showboating by rockapes to a teenager on work experience without giving it a second thought. I wasn't attacking you individually, but the behaviour of some airmen in the RAF regiment which makes their organisation an object of ridicule to troops in the army and leads to misrepresentation of them. You'd be blind not to notice that this is a thing. I've encountered the RAF regiment, both whilst an air cadet like yourself, and also as a serving soldier, just like all troops, they'll bloat their role up to make themselves look good, especially if they know they're talking to the uninitiated.

They serve an important purpose, however their role is not equatable to similar "green" combat roles such as those the infantry or other combat arms that the army undertakes, yet you've then tried to suggest that the RAF regiment worked harder than them out on Herrick. Do you honestly think the lads getting the crap shot out of them at Musa Qala thought, "boy, I'm glad we're not at Bastion, they're getting it so much harder there", as they fought for their lives? I'm not suggesting they had a cushy time at Bastion, but in a comment you've completely dismissed what troops in hundreds of other units do to big up the RAF regiment and yet you get the hump when I bring up the rumour about a Rock shooting his own body armour and start waving our war dead in front of me? Bad show doing that.

@AdzzPotzz, you need to decide what role you're interested in the most. It's obvious you're interested in a green role, is it an infantry role, is it force protection, are you interested in more than just "fighting" and want a trade? You've had some great advice in this thread from several users of TSR who do have extensive military experience, do as much research as you can, as you've already probably seen, there's strong opinions and rumours about different units, you'll have to sift through these to make your own mind up.
(edited 7 years ago)

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