The Ranger Wing and other units

advn45

Hi, I am intrested in finding out more about the wing, after the the UN East Timor misson a few years ago they were praised by an Aussie commander. They also performed well in a much publicised military charity event a few years ago and on other UN missions.

Obviously there role is outlined on their website, but in terms of training are all rangers also qualified signallers ? I'm pretty sure they are not qualified jtecs (air controllers qualified to call in air strikes), as the republic has no jet fighter capacity.

Does the Irish army use standard infantry to support them or does it have a specialised 1 para/RAF reg special forces support group ?

Im am also intrested in the Irish armies artillery units, do they have any units like the Royal artillery commando units who operate behind enemy lines.

I am 17 and wanted to join the Irish army but they are not recruiting. Thinking of joining the RAF regiments 2sqn para unit or Royal artilley commandos.

Zionist

There is no such thing as the 2 SQN Para, it is the 2nd BN Parachute Regiment and you cannot choose your BN if you pass P Company, which looks from your below as Walter Land...

Also there is no such thing again as the RA Commandos, there are Para and Commando units but again you have to be in the respective units for several years..Before the " All Arms Course "

Learn how to spell and learn to use the internet before asking stupid questions...

And get your head out of the comic book walter mitty crap aswell...

Duffers

Oh for the love of Christ...Zionist, the RAF Reg do have Para trained Sqns.

He's just a keen lad, who needs a bit of info. He has clearly come to the wrong place for that judging by your response.

iceage

FFS is there a full moon tonight? All of a sudden the Military thread is rockin n rolling with people getting hot an bothered(including me, I got an infraction) that was because I was a t^at! Easy lads easy. There will always be interest in Military affairs from young guys looking for info, if they post here with wrong intel let us point them in the right direction. Thats what forums are all about really isn't it? Its not for us to preach to or bitch at the ones who don't know.

Somebody mentioned not being able to pick which battalion you want to go to after passing P Company. Strictly this is true, I've heard that there can be some sway if you have a brother in said Battalion, funny thing is I heard this from a guy whos brother was in 2 Para but he didn't get in when he applied!

Oh and knocking a guy for spelling is really a poor show, I alreays tell friends I'm not dislocksic, I just can't spell!......Joke......get it?.........you guys!!!:P

advn45

Zionist wrote: »

There is no such thing as the 2 SQN Para, it is the 2nd BN Parachute Regiment and you cannot choose your BN if you pass P Company, which looks from your below as Walter Land...

Also there is no such thing again as the RA Commandos, there are Para and Commando units but again you have to be in the respective units for several years..Before the " All Arms Course "

Learn how to spell and learn to use the internet before asking stupid questions...

And get your head out of the comic book walter mitty crap aswell...

I dont want to link but 2 sqn RAF regiment, is the the RAF regiments para sqn. It is NOT connected to 2 Para.



I am not talKing about 7 Para RHA etc rather 4/73 special observational battery RA. The RA certainly do have commando units whos insructors are SAS/SBS, its selection is like that of the Pathfinders. Special observor is a role you can choose joining the RA.

Read on :
4/73 Special OP battery are an elite unit within the Royal Artillery tasked with directing artillery fire deep into enemy-held territory. 4/73 Bty also provide crucial battlefield intelligence on enemy positions, movements, strength and morale.

In April 2007, 4/73 Bty formed part of 12 Brigade's BRF (Brigade Recce Force) for Operation Herric VI (April 2007-October 2007). When Herric VI, became Herrick VII in October, 4/74 Bty provided troops to 52 Brigade's BRF, alongside a recce platoon from the 2nd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment.

• During their deployment, the BRF mounted a seven week desert patrol, Britain's longest since the second World War.
• In November 2007, 4/73 foiled a car bomb attack on their convoy
• The BRF saw action during the UK/ANA operation to retake the town of Musa Qaleh in December, 2007.
  
  
  
  The role of Special Observer within 4/73 Bty is a specialisation which candidates choose when joining the Army. An 18 weeks 'Special Observer Patrol Course' trains candidates in the requisite skills over a series of 8 modules:
  1. Physical Endurance, Stamina and Navigation
  2. Tactics and Patrolling
  3. Communications Skills
  4. Advanced Combat Field Firing
  5. Specialist Skills Package
     a) Specialist OP and Observation Skills
     b) Medical Trauma
     c) Survival
  6. Advanced Patrolling Skills
  7. Final Surveillance and Reconnaissance Patrolling evaluation
  8. Basic Op Assistant.
  Please dont state facts when you dont know what you are on about :rolleyes:
  
  
  The other Royal Artillery commando unit is :
  
  148 COMMANDO FORWARD OBSERVATION BATTERY ROYAL ARTILLERY
  148 Battery ('Meiktila') is a unique unit of specially trained men from the British Army and Royal Navy, tasked with calling in artillery and air strikes in support of UKSF and 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines.
  
  The men of 148 are Commando trained and parachute trained and are proficient in stealth insertion via submarine, parachute, boat and helicopter. 148 Battery Fire Support Teams can accompany UKSF teams into action, using their specialist skills in controlling artillery and air strikes. Their particular expertise is in calling in Naval Gunfire. Fire control computers and gyroscope guns on modern British destroyers allow for highly accurate shelling of targets.
  
  Operations
  During the 1982 Falklands conflict, 148 Battery teams linked up with SAS and SBS units for several successful missions which included the shelling of Argentine positions on West Falklands and in and around Port Stanley on East Falklands..
  
  
  I would not have posted this but the above guy is claiming I am some sort of walt without a clue.

Leadership

advn45 wrote: »

I dont want to link but 2 sqn RAF regiment, is the the RAF regiments para sqn. It is NOT connected to 2 Para.

Parachute trained but by no means "Para's", I know its a technicality but this mistake could get you a few punches thrown at you if spoken in the area of a "Para".

advn45

Leadership wrote: »

Parachute trained but by no means "Para's", I know its a technicality but this mistake could get you a few punches thrown at you if spoken in the area of a "Para".

Far more intelligent then normal Paras. Debatable if the army or RAFs version of P company is hardest.

In July 1962 the Squadron became part of 38 Group and also gained an airborne assault role. 13 men, rapidly gaining the title of ‘ the Dozy Dozen’, volunteered for parachute duties and the selection on ‘P’ Company. The course, run by the Parachute Regiment set extremely high standards which were expected from all combatant members of Airborne Forces. To increase the number of men passing ‘P’ Company, a Pre-Parachute Selection Course was introduced. This course was eventually found to be so demanding that its successful completion replaced the need to send men to ‘P’ Company. This course still runs to this day.
In March 1970 the Squadron became II Squadron RAF Regiment and with it there came further commitments.


The reason I know abit is because my family moved to England when I was 13 and I joined the army cadets(RGJ), we moved back when I was 16.

In the cadets we done fieldcraft, marksmanship, orienteering, forced marches, skill at arms, first aid, drill, even FIBA without grenades, bayonets etc etc. Weekend and summer camps gave me a taste of soldering.

Leadership

advn45 wrote: »

I am 17 and wanted to join the Irish army but they are not recruiting. Thinking of joining the RAF regiments 2sqn para unit or Royal artilley commandos.

I would stay clear of the "Rock Apes" as by the sounds of it you want the action. The rock apes do not get out much and spend a lot of time "staging on". There is no doubt that they are well trained and treated in general better than the Army (Food, Accommodation etc) but its not a glamorous career path.

To be a RA commando you have to join the RA as "Tom". In training you can state that you would like to attempt the All arms commando course and they will no doubt give you a much harder time the rest of the recruits in PT and the bull**** involved buts its good prep. You will complete basic training and the basic gunnery and then get sent to a field artillery unit. Once here you can apply for the All arms commando course and you will be invited for a pre selection "beat up" of a couple of weeks of intensive beasting. If you pass this then you will be able to attempt the All arms course. All in all if you are switched on, do not have an attitude and super fit then you could start your badge collection within two years.

Its a long process and to be sent to a special unit in the RA you need to be in the top 5% across the whole spectrum of skills.

advn45

Leadership wrote: »

I would stay clear of the "Rock Apes" as by the sounds of it you want the action. The rock apes do not get out much and spend a lot of time "staging on". There is no doubt that they are well trained and treated in general better than the Army (Food, Accommodation etc) but its not a glamorous career path.

To be a RA commando you have to join the RA as "Tom". In training you can state that you would like to attempt the All arms commando course and they will no doubt give you a much harder time the rest of the recruits in PT and the bull**** involved buts its good prep. You will complete basic training and the basic gunnery and then get sent to a field artillery unit. Once here you can apply for the All arms commando course and you will be invited for a pre selection "beat up" of a couple of weeks of intensive beasting. If you pass this then you will be able to attempt the All arms course. All in all if you are switched on, do not have an attitude and super fit then you could start your badge collection within two years.

Its a long process and to be sent to a special unit in the RA you need to be in the top 5% across the whole spectrum of skills.

Cheers for that.

Joker_Galway

ADVN45,

In The irish army you will not really find any more than the basic setup. Infantry, Artillery, Signals, Engineers etc... I spent some time with the Irish Army and I also spent time in East Timor and revisited a few spots the Rangers had occupied and setup. they were held in very high acclaim over there. And in my opinion, The Irish Rangers are prob the best SF in the world. mostly due to the fact that it is EXTREMELY hard to find out anything about them accurately.

I'll be hopefully heading off to the RM some time this year all things going well. at 17 you have plenty of time to decide. I on the other hand (being 10 yrs older) have decided to try something with moer of a challenge. ITs good to ask for information, but let me give you this advice... follow your heart and your head will follow. Be under no illusions of what military life is like tho, ESPECIALLY in the BA. You will be faced with the toughest challenges but ultimately the most rewarding.

Take a few breaths, take in all information and if it still feels right, then it prob is.

Good Luck

BigDuffman

Zionist wrote: »

There is no such thing as the 2 SQN Para, it is the 2nd BN Parachute Regiment and you cannot choose your BN if you pass P Company, which looks from your below as Walter Land...

Also there is no such thing again as the RA Commandos, there are Para and Commando units but again you have to be in the respective units for several years..Before the " All Arms Course "

Learn how to spell and learn to use the internet before asking stupid questions...

And get your head out of the comic book walter mitty crap aswell...

My god you would swear this was IMO or something

That type of flaming is ridiculous and counter-productive to any healthy discussion... Not everyone is born with a godly knowledge of all things DPM.

So before you start flaming a "noob" make sure you get your facts right or you will look even more stupid than you do already, after being served you a massive slice of humble pie.:eek:

When was the RA Commandos established? Are all forward observers commando trained?

advn45

BigDuffman wrote: »

My god you would swear this was IMO or something (well without the criminal board owner .

That type of flaming is ridiculous and counter-productive to any healthy discussion... Not everyone is born with a godly knowledge of all things DPM.

So before you start flaming a "noob" make sure you get your facts right or you will look even more stupid than you do already, after being served you a massive slice of humble pie.:eek:

When was the RA Commandos established? Are all forward observers commando trained?

Not sure about your last question. I know in WW2 there were RA commandos.

4/73 Bty were established in 1982 to fill a mostly cold war role. In the event of a Soviet invasion of Western Europe, small teams from 4/73 Bty would establish covert hides along expected invasion routes. Once overrun by Soviet forces, they would call in intelligence reports and artillery strikes on deep/rear elements of the enemy - e.g. lines of supply, headquarters etc.

They are now used as a BRF(Brigade Recce force) and long range patrol group and forward observers.

I ve decided on the becoming a RA special observer, sent off for the info.

Leadership

BigDuffman wrote: »

Are all forward observers commando trained?

Simple answer is no, in a armoured or mechanised battle group they will be Tom's who will sit with the battlegroup/brigade recce unit.

Leadership

advn45 wrote: »

I ve decided on the becoming a RA special observer, sent off for the info.

Interesting choice, I would brush up on your map reading and start to think in Mils (6400) instead of degrees (360). Make it a habit to carry a OS map on a car journey close your eyes for a minute or two and then try and pin point a feature on the map with a 8 figure grid ref. You need to have this figured out in less than 30 seconds. Even better if you want to be a commando then head off in the hills run around and do a similar exercise.

These are the lads who have given the artillery the nick name "drop shorts". Just ask any QDG tankie who went on Med Man 4 in 97 (Within a Year or two anyway). A FOO droped a full "Fire For Effect" on the observers trenches killing at least 8 with the rest of the party burried under soil.

Are you going down the officer route or the TOM?

A Tom would not direct artillery until at least a Bombadier (Cpl), up until then then you will be making cups of tea and stagging on.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Zionist wrote: »

Learn how to spell and learn to use the internet before asking stupid questions...

...

Mmmmm, I'll leave you with this one - There are no such thing as stupids questions - only stupid answers!.

.

advn45

Leadership wrote: »

Interesting choice, I would brush up on your map reading and start to think in Mils (6400) instead of degrees (360). Make it a habit to carry a OS map on a car journey close your eyes for a minute or two and then try and pin point a feature on the map with a 8 figure grid ref. You need to have this figured out in less than 30 seconds. Even better if you want to be a commando then head off in the hills run around and do a similar exercise.

These are the lads who have given the artillery the nick name "drop shorts". Just ask any QDG tankie who went on Med Man 4 in 97 (Within a Year or two anyway). A FOO droped a full "Fire For Effect" on the observers trenches killing at least 8 with the rest of the party burried under soil.

Are you going down the officer route or the TOM?

A Tom would not direct artillery until at least a Bombadier (Cpl), up until then then you will be making cups of tea and stagging on.

From what Ive read you spend two years as Gunner before attempting an SAS run selection course which is 4 months and is very demanding, it ends with two weeks in the Bruani jungle, If you pass you get to wear a sand coloured beret(but not winged dagger badge, but keep your RA one) and SO badge on shoulder,you most also do the Para and all arms commando course as well, if you serve in commando or para RA batteries as a RA SO. Alot of it is now digital, you also have to train as a j-tac, forward air controller, which takes about 8 weeks. After this you get the rank of lance bombadier.
This is a very demanding selection and training course, if I dont get there so be it, I will give it my best shot and Im sure there are many options in the RA.

The unit conducts training in various exercises and climates. It regularly deploys with other RM units to Norway for cold weather training and to Belize for jungle warfare training. They have also cross trained with the USMC's ANGLICO units to help standardize procedures should the units ever work together in combat.

FO/SO teams consist of five men; a RA captain leads each team with a RA bombardier the second in command (2IC). The rest of the team consists of a RA radio operator, a lance bombardier, and a RA gunner. The team can be split in two with the bombardier commanding one team and the captain the other. All unit members are capable of coordinating are strikes and directing artillery fire.

The unit is equipped with the latest British night vision and targeting equipment. They are trained in the use of laser target designators (LTDs). Unit members are primarily armed with British produced rifles, but many seem to prefer US produced M-16 series weapons. They also carry GPMGs and M-16/M-203s for fire support.

I am joining as a Tom, to select Special Observer I have to score well in the Barb test.
What Skills Will I Learn?

* How to call in artillery fire, control attack helicopters, direct ground attack jets, and target them accurately on the battlefield.
* Operate a variety of hi-tech optical, night and thermal sights, and radars for surveying battlefield zones and detecting movement of tanks and personnel.
* Learn to operate the latest secure radios and computers, and be taught the orders necessary to control the weapon systems at your disposal.
* Be trained in speciality skills such as escape and evasion techniques.
* Be taught how to operate for long periods under demanding conditions, completing such tasks as map reading, problem solving, and communication.
* All Gunner recruits are taught to drive during Phase 2 training. Those who join the Special Observer trade will also be trained to drive a number of specialist support vehicles.


This is intresting, it states the role of SO (the Brit name for forward observer) in various armies.

The forward observer serves as the eyes of the artillery battery, calling target locations and adjustments to the Fire Direction Center, which translates their spottings into firing solutions for the guns. Forward observers are deployed with maneuver combat arms units, usually infantry companies. An FO team usually comprises an officer, a technician, a driver/radio operator, plus any extra personnel required.



> Artillery observer An artillery observer is a soldier responsible for directing artillery fire and close air support (ground attack by aircraft) onto enemy positions. Because artillery is an indirect-fire weapon system, the guns are rarely in line-of-sight of their target, often located tens of miles away. The observer serves as the eyes of the artillery battery, calling in target locations and adjustments to the Fire Direction Center (FDC) via radio or (less commonly) landline. The FDC then translates the observer's orders into firing solutions for the battery's cannons. Artillery observers are often deployed with combat arms maneuver units, typically infantry companies or armored squadrons. Artillery with Gabion fortification Cannons on display at Fort Point Continental Artillery crew from the American Revolution Firing of an 18-pound gun, Louis-Philippe Crepin, (1772 – 1851) A forge-welded Iron Cannon in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. ... Close air support (often abbreviated CAS) is the use of military aircraft in a ground attack role against targets in close proximity to friendly troops, in support of ground combat operations. ... Indirect fire is the use of artillery to fire at targets out of the crews line of sight, by firing in a high arc out to long distances and/or over blocking terrain. ... Remains of a battery of English cannon from Youghal, County Cork. ... A landline or main line is a telephone line which travels through a solid medium, either metal wire or optical fibre. ... For other uses, see Cannon (disambiguation). ... Infantry of the Royal Irish Rifles during the Battle of the Somme in World War I. Infantry are soldiers who fight primarily on foot with small arms in organized military units, though they may be transported to the battlefield by horses, ships, automobiles, skis, or other means. ... A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 100-200 soldiers. ... Soldiers from U.S. 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment provide overwatch for other troops with their M1 Abrams main battle tank in Biaj, Iraq. ... A Squadron is a small unit or formation of cavalry, aircraft (including balloons), or naval vessels. ...

Artillery observers are considered high-priority targets by enemy forces, as they control a great amount of firepower, are within visual range of the enemy, and are often located deep within enemy territory. The artillery observer must therefore be skilled not only in fire direction, but also in stealth and, if necessary, direct combat. Firepower is a measure of the ability of weapons, specifically weapons which involve fire or explosion, to inflict harm, damage, or kill. ...

In the British and Canadian armies, an artillery observer is known as a Forward Observation Officer (FOO, pronounced /fuː/), or Fire Effects Detachment (FED). Canadian Forces Land Force Command (LF) is responsible for army operations within the Canadian Armed Forces. ...

In the U.S. Army, an artillery observer is known as a Forward Observer (FO). A mechanized FO team usually comprises an officer and several enlisted personnel (a technician, a driver/radio operator, plus any extra personnel) traveling in an infantry fighting vehicle. A non-mechanized FO team travels on foot (analogous to light infantry), and generally includes a gunner trained to operate a Squad Automatic Weapon for self-protection. Mechanized military units are otherwise slow-moving or immobile military units that have had trucks or other ground transport systems added to their formation to add to or improve their mobility. ... An officer is a member of a military or naval service who holds a position of responsibility. ... In military service, an enlisted rank is generally any rating below that of a commissioned officer. ... A Warrior vehicle with UN markings, during the making of the eponymous film. ... Traditionally light infantry (or skirmishers) were soldiers whose job was to provide a skirmishing screen ahead of the main body of infantry, harassing and delaying the enemy advance. ... A squad automatic weapon (SAW) is a light or general-purpose machine gun, usually equipped with a bipod and firing a 7. ...

In the Royal Australian Artillery an artillery observer team is called a Joint Offensive Support Team (JOST) and is made up of the Forward Observer Officer (usually a captain), his assistant (usually a bombadier - two stripes) and two Artillery Signalers (gunners - no stripes). They are trained in calling in field artillery fire missions as well as naval gunfire and close air support (CAS) missions from the Air Force.

SPPL

I have done some research into the RAF regiment they seem to be an unusual unit and everyone seems to slag them off.

I suppose my first thought was why have an RAF regiment and im not sure i have the answer yet? Apart from the normal unsubstantiated waffle.

If they are so bad why has the MOD included them with other elite units in the SFSG, again i dont seem to have a credible answer yet? Is it politics ? seems odd if it is.

As for training i would say from the reserach i have done its at least equal to Infantry training at Catterick and i dont belive they do any final exercise in a hanger i think thats probably chinese whispers.

With regards to there role it seems a pretty dull one nothing glamourous at all about them.

Military competitions- from what i have seen they are normally near the tops if not the top in military competitions, (they have great sucess at Cambrian patrol and sniper competitions) - so again why are they so hated

Only interested in facts not interested in mindless slagging off or so and so told me bla bla bla, if anyone can help and give a sensible reply then i would be grateful.

discus

Fock me this thread is nuts.

Kat1170

Leadership wrote: »

Interesting choice, I would brush up on your map reading and start to think in Mils (6400) instead of degrees (360). Make it a habit to carry a OS map on a car journey close your eyes for a minute or two and then try and pin point a feature on the map with a 8 figure grid ref. You need to have this figured out in less than 30 seconds. Even better if you want to be a commando then head off in the hills run around and do a similar exercise.

These are the lads who have given the artillery the nick name "drop shorts". Just ask any QDG tankie who went on Med Man 4 in 97 (Within a Year or two anyway). A FOO droped a full "Fire For Effect" on the observers trenches killing at least 8 with the rest of the party burried under soil.

Are you going down the officer route or the TOM?

A Tom would not direct artillery until at least a Bombadier (Cpl), up until then then you will be making cups of tea and stagging on.

You might want to stop the car first though :pac::D

AllthingsCP

Also i saw that on the Irish Defence Force Facebook that general recruitment is due for early 2014 {Open slots not decided yet} with a new panel as the older one is 12 months up, So at 17 and if your finish school or left maybe give it a go never know, Usually between March or June.

Balaclava1991

I'm pretty sure that the Ranger Wing are trained about every aspect of the job of communications experts, medics, snipers, air controllers, artillerymen, demolition, underwater diving, parachuting, sabotage, espionage, installing bugs, storming hijacked planes, resolving sieges and romancing the knickers off some sex starved secretary to get access to some safe or secret files.
Like special forces around the world they are called upon to a huge variety of different roles.
They are probably working alongside the Gardaí doing undercover surveillance of drug gangs and dissident republicans or travelling to foreign countries on spying missions or maybe they are sent around the world by the Irish government to take care of potential threats.
Who knows?

b_mac

Balaclava1991 wrote: »

They are probably working alongside the Gardaí doing undercover surveillance of drug gangs and dissident republicans or travelling to foreign countries on spying missions or maybe they are sent around the world by the Irish government to take care of potential threats.
Who knows?

Lol.

tac foley

Advn45 - you wrote - 'From what Ive read you spend two years as Gunner before attempting an SAS run selection course which is 4 months and is very demanding, it ends with two weeks in the Bruani jungle, If you pass you get to wear a sand coloured beret(but not winged dagger badge, but keep your RA one) and SO badge on shoulder,you most also do the Para and all arms commando course as well, if you serve in commando or para RA batteries as a RA SO. Alot of it is now digital, you also have to train as a j-tac, forward air controller, which takes about 8 weeks. After this you get the rank of lance bombadier. This is a very demanding selection and training course, if I dont get there so be it, I will give it my best shot and Im sure there are many options in the RA.'

You will have to be something VERY special, and I mean that sincerely, to be ready for SAS selection after only two years in the Army as a Gunner. Two years in the infantry might be a better idea, since you'll be far more used to staggering around the landscape with huge loads than as a soldier in the RA, where most movement is by tracked vehicle, and you hardly, if ever, get ANY responsibility without rank, especially as you will still, after two years service, be unlikely to have any kind of rank.

Remember too, that all your preparation for atttempting the SFSC is entirely your responsibility and your owner unit is under no requirement to give you time off to go and do your necessary training. Make no mistakes here, you will have to be supremely fit and used to performing at a stamina and endurance level way above that of a standard-issue soldier to stand any chance at all of making the grade in selection, and remember, too, that the vast majority of those trying it are already well-trained infantry from the Parachute Regiment or RM, with maybe five or six years of hard soldiering behind them.

And currently, the pass rate is one in ten.

Soooooooooooooo, this evening, before you go to the pub, load up a Bergen with 55 pounds of bricks [that's your basic load], pick up a three-foot long and two-inch thick plank to which you have randomly attached 12 kg of scrap iron [that's your GPMG], and go for a ten-mile run. Not a walk, not a jog, but a run.

When you stop at the end of it, give yourself half a minute to remember a ten-figure grid reference.

And do it again.

Another three times.

Did I mention that 50% of the course is uphill?

Mostly raining?

Or hot sunshine?

And that, my friend, is just Pen-y-Fan.

Next, do it in the jungle.

You up for it?

tac

BTW - this thread is now ca. five years old - I wonder what happened to our OP?

returnNull

tac foley wrote: »

BTW - this thread is now ca. five years old - I wonder what happened to our OP?

tac foley

X 10

tac

returnNull

sorry didnt realise the pic was that large!

SNAKEDOC

I wonder with all the folks here giving advise on sas selection courses and ranger wing "intel" how they get such info. Ive read bravo two zero and soilder five so i know that the sas selection course is in the breken beacons but beyond that unless youve passed it you dont know sh1t. And if you have passed selection your a professional soilder who would not be on boards ranting to unknowing teens. Just as i suspected full of armchair soliders. Me im just an enthusiast who reads some military books. Oh by the way tac 50% of the course is uphill. Did you calculate that when you did selectionor just guesing. And the weather i never can tell if its going to be cold or hot or maybe just fair so how can you.
Why dont you stop trying to impress folks here with your knowledge about special forces because im sure it all xomes from knowledge already in the public domain by that i mean not a big hush hush secret.

Oh and the question about raf special forces squadsbeen included by MOD its because they go in to set up fobs for aircraft which is not in the remit of regular soliders so they are classed as special forces but not as highly trained in all things like the sas. They are for securing a small area and preping it for recirval of aircraft with a larger ground force.

tac foley

SNAKEDOC wrote: »

I wonder with all the folks here giving advise on sas selection courses and ranger wing "intel" how they get such info. Ive read bravo two zero and soilder five so i know that the sas selection course is in the breken beacons but beyond that unless youve passed it you dont know sh1t. And if you have passed selection your a professional soilder who would not be on boards ranting to unknowing teens. Just as i suspected full of armchair soliders. Me im just an enthusiast who reads some military books. Oh by the way tac 50% of the course is uphill. Did you calculate that when you did selectionor just guesing. And the weather i never can tell if its going to be cold or hot or maybe just fair so how can you.
Why dont you stop trying to impress folks here with your knowledge about special forces because im sure it all xomes from knowledge already in the public domain by that i mean not a big hush hush secret.

Oh and the question about raf special forces squadsbeen included by MOD its because they go in to set up fobs for aircraft which is not in the remit of regular soliders so they are classed as special forces but not as highly trained in all things like the sas. They are for securing a small area and preping it for recirval of aircraft with a larger ground force.

1. I have never 'done' selection.

2. In hilly country, like the BRECON Beacons, by definition, half of the landscape is uphill, and the other half is downhill.

3. I have gone futzing around in the Brecon Beacons, and found that it was either hot, or cold, dry or wet, sometimes all on the same day, as you'll find out if you ever go there.

4. Not having 'done' special forces, I have not offered ANY information on this site that cannot be found by reading, just as you say that you have, simply commented on what I know about. So how I can be accused of trying to impress anybody is unclear to me.

And BTW, the RAF Regiment are positively NOT 'Special Forces'.

tac

discus

SNAKEDOC wrote: »

Oh and the question about raf special forces squadsbeen included by MOD its because they go in to set up fobs for aircraft which is not in the remit of regular soliders so they are classed as special forces but not as highly trained in all things like the sas. They are for securing a small area and preping it for recirval of aircraft with a larger ground force.

'set up fobs for aircraft '? wtf is that?
'They are for securing a small area and preping it for recirval of aircraft with a larger ground force.' oh really, with what equipment, exactly?

Oh dear. It seems that you've been drinking the RAF Regt Kool Aid. Now tell me, when have they EVER done this? Any one can pick a HLS, doesn't need any specific training. Although if you've picked a ****ty spot you can expect to yomp a bit to wherever the pilot decides is best to land.

Ive read bravo two zero and soilder five so i know that the sas selection course is in the breken beacons but beyond that unless youve passed it you dont know sh1t. And if you have passed selection your a professional soilder who would not be on boards ranting to unknowing teens.

Do you think people just turn up on day 1 of Hills phase, without any prior experience? Do you think that the SAS would just reply to your letters saying "Hullo, turn up at Brecon, on the Y date, bring Z and X etc"? You headcase. Some of the most helpful lads I've met in the forces were the ones who passed selection or came close to passing. One lad who passed spent a fair chunk of his leave helping lads get ready for their course, as well as hats like myself who were on the all arms commando course. So your post is really just full of 'it'.

SNAKEDOC

Dont really like been called a headcase which im not i just dont like loud mouth people ranting to those who might not know everything like some people here think they do. As for your quip about drinking "Cool aid" (im not american) what are you on about. I appreciate that you know of someone who spent time helping others to prepare for a military selection course thats a decent thing to do but as i said you will NOT see any self respecting professional soilder ranting to teens on boards. Im sure they have better things to do. Also just because youve walked in the brecons does that mean youve passed selection for sas. Well done fair play. No thought not. Ive walked in the mountains in wicklow does not mean i passed ranger selection. Ive ran in the curragh does not mean i have completed the final run with the rangers. I undestand there are those of you on here with a wealth of knowledge either from been in a military unit or simply from reading like me i never served, but that does not give anyone the right to belittle someone who is less knowledgable than yourself for self gratification.
Also most military forces have units to secure landing areas for aircraft behind enemy lines. AFSOC is one such unit for going behind enemy lines and seizing air fields for allied forces. And just because a unit hasnt done something in the padt does not mean they are incapable of it. You could have said that of the sas before the Iranian embassy seige.

discus

SNAKEDOC wrote: »

I appreciate that you know of someone who spent time helping others to prepare for a military selection course thats a decent thing to do but as i said you will NOT see any self respecting professional soilder ranting to teens on boards. Im sure they have better things to do. Also just because youve walked in the brecons does that mean youve passed selection for sas. Well done fair play. No thought not. Ive walked in the mountains in wicklow does not mean i passed ranger selection. Ive ran in the curragh does not mean i have completed the final run with the rangers. I undestand there are those of you on here with a wealth of knowledge either from been in a military unit or simply from reading like me i never served, but that does not give anyone the right to belittle someone who is less knowledgable than yourself for self gratification.
Also most military forces have units to secure landing areas for aircraft behind enemy lines. AFSOC is one such unit for going behind enemy lines and seizing air fields for allied forces. And just because a unit hasnt done something in the padt does not mean they are incapable of it. You could have said that of the sas before the Iranian embassy seige.

Oh my god what is the point? You have serving soldiers, and retired soldiers of 2+ modern armies answering you, yet you continue to spout on, telling us that while we have examples, you have your beliefs. Fine. Believe all you want. Obviously we haven't read as much wikipedia and fora as you have.

AFSOC is a very different thing to RAF Regiment. And on top of that, AFSOC don't have their prime mission aim as securing airfields behind enemy lines. You seem to think that the RAF Regiment are some sort of elite, HALO dropping, behind enemy lines unit, who take over airfields and wait for Chinooks and C130 to start rolling in. They do nothing of the sort. They have done nothing of the sort, and if you think that the RAF Regiment will be called for such a job before the SAS, SBS, Pathfinders, or Royal Irish, you need to just give up.

tac foley

The SAS had long and distinguished history behind them since their inception in the Western Desert in 1942/3.

The Iranian embassy siege was the first time, however, that they were seen in public peforming their duties in their usual fashion.

Read 'The Mirbat Gun' to see what they did in Oman in the 60's, as an example, and earlier in Malaya in the early 1950s during the emergency there.

tac

Edit - also Brunei/Borneo in the 70's and Belize/Guatemala, too.

knucklehead6

i know badass of the week is somewhat tongue in cheek but here you go anyway, has a few (humorous) links about the SAS
http://www.badassoftheweek.com/takavesi.html

FWIW, some of Snakedoc'c points are valid. Sometimes I see posts on here that are a little bit condescending, and dismissive of genuine questions. You lads who serve (and have served, just to make sure you don't feel left out Tac) have a wealth of knowledge but run the danger of making this forum a no go area for civilians with interest, like myself

rgds KH6 (non-member of the RAF Regiment love in)

Local-womanizer

knucklehead6 wrote: »

i know badass of the week is somewhat tongue in cheek but here you go anyway, has a few (humorous) links about the SAS
http://www.badassoftheweek.com/takavesi.html

FWIW, some of Snakedoc'c points are valid. Sometimes I see posts on here that are a little bit condescending, and dismissive of genuine questions. You lads who serve (and have served, just to make sure you don't feel left out Tac) have a wealth of knowledge but run the danger of making this forum a no go area for civilians with interest, like myself

rgds KH6 (non-member of the RAF Regiment love in)

I think people are more irked here when non serving folk pop up claiming this and that without any knowledge of such things beyond what they read in a book and hearsay. Also when those throw the Walt accusations around that just tips it over the edge.

You can serve in the military and can get a good insight to a SOF unit from being a regular solider, for the simple fact you will come into contact with people who are of that elite bunch or who were previously. I was trained by an exer with around 12 years in the wing. He naturally would be telling us bits and pieces of his experiences there.

Just last week I was talking with a corporal who passed selection a number of years ago, he was telling me some bits and pieces of his experience of the process that you won't find online.

I'm sure tac's extensive military service has resulted in such exposures to SOF units in a similar fashion.

cruasder777

discus wrote: »

Oh my god what is the point? You have serving soldiers, and retired soldiers of 2+ modern armies answering you, yet you continue to spout on, telling us that while we have examples, you have your beliefs. Fine. Believe all you want. Obviously we haven't read as much wikipedia and fora as you have.

AFSOC is a very different thing to RAF Regiment. And on top of that, AFSOC don't have their prime mission aim as securing airfields behind enemy lines. You seem to think that the RAF Regiment are some sort of elite, HALO dropping, behind enemy lines unit, who take over airfields and wait for Chinooks and C130 to start rolling in. They do nothing of the sort. They have done nothing of the sort, and if you think that the RAF Regiment will be called for such a job before the SAS, SBS, Pathfinders, or Royal Irish, you need to just give up.

Royal Irish, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha

Eat your words

2 Sqn RAF Regiment Paras have previously taken part in ops alongside the Pathinders, UKSF etc, inc live drops into enemy theatres.

OPERATION MAIDENLY - SIERRA LEONE 2001

On the 10 June 01, OC II was tasked to conduct an estimate of the defensive requirements in Serria Leone for a Special Air Operations detachment, deployed at Lunghi airfield, as part of Op MAIDENLY. Subsequently a Flight sized group was deployed relieving in place an RM detachment.


OPERATION SILKMAN - SIERRA LEONE 2001

Op SILKMAN was the ongoing public information and capability demonstration within Sierra Leone. It was designed to reassure the law abiding locals of the continuing UK commitment to ensuring the stability within the region; whilst also providing an aggressive reminder to the rebels of the UK’s over-the-horizon military capabilities. This demonstration was to take the form of a strategic parachute insertion, live armed, into theatre



2 Sqn RAF regiment put more men into the SAS (man for man) then any other unit, inc the Parachute Regiment.

discus

"Members of II Sqn are required to pass the arduous Pre-Para Selection course, in order to attend a military parachuting course at RAF Brize Norton"

Oh wow, pre-para! Fock me sideways. Cool, so I should have been given my green beret when I passed Beat-Up for the All Arms Commando Course? Sweet, that could have saved me 14 weeks of commando training! Let's all do pre-para, sure we can all be airborne! RAF Regt, where everyone is a winner.

Another good quote: 'Op SILKMAN was the ongoing public information and capability demonstration within Sierra Leone' also from the RAF website. Hardcore PR!

knucklehead6

Local-womanizer wrote: »

I think people are more irked here when non serving folk pop up claiming this and that without any knowledge of such things beyond what they read in a book and hearsay. Also when those throw the Walt accusations around that just tips it over the edge.

You can serve in the military and can get a good insight to a SOF unit from being a regular solider, for the simple fact you will come into contact with people who are of that elite bunch or who were previously. I was trained by an exer with around 12 years in the wing. He naturally would be telling us bits and pieces of his experiences there.

Just last week I was talking with a corporal who passed selection a number of years ago, he was telling me some bits and pieces of his experience of the process that you won't find online.

I'm sure tac's extensive military service has resulted in such exposures to SOF units in a similar fashion.

i agree with every single bit of your post,and can easily see how posters sticking to a point that has been discussed and refuted can be annoying.

BUT, there is a tendency on here to also dismiss genuine posters.

Posts like this , this and this are smart arsed and condescending. And make people like me, who have an interest in big green things that drive on the ground, big grey things that sail the seas, and big multicoloured things that drill holes in the sky feel like it's bad form to ask a question. It's a CHAT forum.

chopper6

cruasder777 wrote: »

Royal Irish, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha

Eat your words

2 Sqn RAF Regiment Paras have previously taken part in ops alongside the Pathinders, UKSF etc, inc live drops into enemy theatres.

OPERATION MAIDENLY - SIERRA LEONE 2001

On the 10 June 01, OC II was tasked to conduct an estimate of the defensive requirements in Serria Leone for a Special Air Operations detachment, deployed at Lunghi airfield, as part of Op MAIDENLY. Subsequently a Flight sized group was deployed relieving in place an RM detachment.


OPERATION SILKMAN - SIERRA LEONE 2001

Op SILKMAN was the ongoing public information and capability demonstration within Sierra Leone. It was designed to reassure the law abiding locals of the continuing UK commitment to ensuring the stability within the region; whilst also providing an aggressive reminder to the rebels of the UK’s over-the-horizon military capabilities. This demonstration was to take the form of a strategic parachute insertion, live armed, into theatre



2 Sqn RAF regiment put more men into the SAS (man for man) then any other unit, inc the Parachute Regiment.

Still waiting on those pics of you doing P Coy,Tabbing up Pen Y Fen and engaging in the "croatian civil war".

tac foley

knucklehead6 wrote: »

i agree with every single bit of your post,and can easily see how posters sticking to a point that has been discussed and refuted can be annoying.

Yes.

BUT, there is a tendency on here to also dismiss genuine posters.

Until proven otherwise, we are ALL genuine posters here.

Posts like this , this and this are smart arsed and condescending. And make people like me, who have an interest in big green things that drive on the ground, big grey things that sail the seas, and big multicoloured things that drill holes in the sky feel like it's bad form to ask a question. It's a CHAT forum.

Two of those posts are mine. The first is nothing less than the truth, and as one of the posters here has reminded us many times, you can find out ANYTHING on the internet. As for the second, I still do not know who Jerry Cronin is. I live in Canada and Oregon, for goodness sake - do you know anybody there?

At the risk of you banning me, let's just put our cards on the table here for a moment. I have provided proof of who I am, what I used to be, and even provided proof in the form of photographic evidence. My name in the side-bar IS my name - I'm not hiding under a pseudonym of any kind. I have, nevertheless, been insulted and called a walt by somebody who does not believe anything I've said, and who has said so. You are the moderator, and have done nothing about it. I have provided chapter and verse, as far as I am prepared to do, of my former life in the British Army, something I feel uncomfortable about, given the attitude of a few who post on these fora. However, I've also tried to answer questions that are patently ludicrous in the extreme, and responded in what, to anybody in the British Army are ridiculous claims in a polite manner.

This hasn't worked.

I've admitted that I left a good while back, and that my information, based on that past experience, is out of date.

This hasn't worked either.

tac

chopper6

Here's me as a Special Forces Sniper in a location i'm not allowed to talk about using a Classified weapon etc etc etc

knucklehead6

tac foley wrote: »

Yes.

Until proven otherwise, we are ALL genuine posters here.

me wrote:

Posts like this , this and this are smart arsed and condescending. And make people like me, who have an interest in big green things that drive on the ground, big grey things that sail the seas, and big multicoloured things that drill holes in the sky feel like it's bad form to ask a question. It's a CHAT forum.

tac foley wrote: »

Two of those posts are mine. The first is nothing less than the truth, and as one of the posters here has reminded us many times, you can find out ANYTHING on the internet. As for the second, I still do not know who Jerry Cronin is. I live in Canada and Oregon, for goodness sake - do you know anybody there?

Yes, the first IS the truth, but it was posted in a condescending tone... hell, the only thing it was missing was mr rolleyes smiley after it.

As for Jerry Cronin, may I ask you a question before answering who he is... Why do you want to know? Is it that you think he might take offence to The Syco using his images?

As it happens, i do know people living in Canada. That's not really that unusual for Irish people now days though, Canada is the new Australia!

tac foley wrote: »

At the risk of you banning me, let's just put our cards on the table here for a moment. I have provided proof of who I am, what I used to be, and even provided proof in the form of photographic evidence. I have, nevertheless, been insulted and called a walt by somebody who does not believe anything I've said, and who has said so. You are the moderator, and have done nothing about it. I have provided chapter and verse, as far as I am prepared to do, of my former life in the British Army, something I feel uncomfortable about, given the attitude of a few who post on these fora. However, I've also tried to answer questions that are patently ludicrous in the extreme, and responded in what, to anybody in the British Army are ridiculous claims in a polite manner.

This hasn't worked.

I've admitted that I left a good while back, and that my information, based on that past experience, is out of date.

This hasn't worked either.

Do what you like - you are the moderator after all.

tac

I have nothing to do with the moderation of this forum. If you want to talk about online dating, then I'm your man... here, I'm just a Joe Soap regular poster.

FWIW I'm not trying to pick a fight, I'm just saying that sometimes some of the posts on this forum are unnecessarily belittling. Like that guy who asked who uses the PC-9 you could have said something like "according to wiki it's #" . Instead you took the opportunity to have a little internet dig at the guy.

tac foley

Here's one of me in ........................... with my .................. and ......... using the ................ to ........... the ............. on the ................

Of course, when we got to ........... and found .............. and ........... had been .............. the ............. with the ................, the ......... really ............ the .............. and we all had to be .................. pretty smartly.

All ended up well, though, as ........... and the .............. team joined us in ........... and together we completed the ................, and not only came in ......... but were the ................ ever!

Great, eh?

tac

PS - edited for PERSEC.

Horse84

....and above is one of the reasons why this forum is going to hell. I agree with knucklehead 100% and I've got zero axe to grind with anyone no matter what their background is on here.
I've posted on it before but there is a lack of respect given towards other posters on here at times.

Lemming

Horse84 wrote: »

....and above is one of the reasons why this forum is going to hell. I agree with knucklehead 100% and I've got zero axe to grind with anyone no matter what their background is on here.
I've posted on it before but there is a lack of respect given towards other posters on here at times.

That users may disagree - sometimes strongly - does not indicate a forum going to hell

tac foley

1. Sorry about the lack of emoticons. My Japanese keyboard at that time did not support them as it uses a different OS than Western computers.

2. I recall, vaguely, that the name of Mr Cronin was mentioned as though we all knew who he was. I didn't then, and still don't. How on earth could could somebody - not you - be thought to take offence at my question?

3. The sidebar indicates that you are 'Hosted moderator', hence my coment about you exercising your moderator controls. Perhaps you'll expalin to me what that actually means.

4. With respect, you need to lighten up a mite - me advising somebody to look at the internet, and you telling me that I was 'having a little internet dig' are not connective. How on earth could you know whether I was having an 'internet dig'? IF I had been doing that - which, incidentally I was not - there would not be any doubt about it.

As we are constantly reminded, the internet does not allow for the interpretation of emotion, hence the use of emoticons. Without them, we all have to rely on the apparent good will of the responder to the question, or else we would all be at each other's throats every time we posted anything. As such, my responses were well-intended and, IMO, reasonable, as, indeed, all my responses have been so far.

If you look, you'll see that I have even offered to apologise to the person who claims to have 'done' P Coy at the age of 17, done what many millions of peple must have done, and climbed Pen-y-Fan, and also to have taken part in the Croation civil war, as he puts it - IF he can provide evidence to support it.

You'll notice that as yet, we have seen evidence in, er evidence.

tac

tac foley

Horse84 wrote: »

....and above is one of the reasons why this forum is going to hell. I agree with knucklehead 100% and I've got zero axe to grind with anyone no matter what their background is on here.
I've posted on it before but there is a lack of respect given towards other posters on here at times.

Well, I thought it was quite amusing, and, IMO, well within the bounds of a robust military-interested forum. It was at least as funny as the gentleman with the 'top secret' crossbow.

It's not all pussy-footing around the glens and shiney boots, y'now. It's often quite serious and nasty, and those of us who have experience of the nasty bits tend to have a somewhat more robust sense of humour than those who have not.

Try looking in on arrse.co.uk some time - it might come as a bit of a shock.

Best wishes

tac

cruasder777

discus wrote: »

"Members of II Sqn are required to pass the arduous Pre-Para Selection course, in order to attend a military parachuting course at RAF Brize Norton"

Oh wow, pre-para! Fock me sideways. Cool, so I should have been given my green beret when I passed Beat-Up for the All Arms Commando Course? Sweet, that could have saved me 14 weeks of commando training! Let's all do pre-para, sure we can all be airborne! RAF Regt, where everyone is a winner.

Another good quote: 'Op SILKMAN was the ongoing public information and capability demonstration within Sierra Leone' also from the RAF website. Hardcore PR!

Its the same pre-para course some potential SAS members do, the same as P company, just the RAF version. All the same events, but it also has swimming tests.

Commando lite which you claim to have done is very different then doing 32 weeks which RMs do.



RAF Pre Para

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKRtNyg4Yp0

Horse84

Lemming wrote: »

That users may disagree - sometimes strongly - does not indicate a forum going to hell

Where did I say there was something wrong with people disagreeing on a forum?

cruasder777

Horse84 wrote: »

Where did I say there was something wrong with people disagreeing on a forum?

Unfortunately there is an unhealthy "clique, " on this forum who dont like people with a different opinion or new posters.

Horse84

tac foley wrote: »

Well, I thought it was quite amusing, and, IMO, well within the bounds of a robust military-interested forum. It was at least as funny as the gentleman with the 'top secret' crossbow.

It's not all pussy-footing around the glens and shiney boots, y'now. It's often quite serious and nasty, and those of us who have experience of the nasty bits tend to have a somewhat more robust sense of humour than those who have not.

Try looking in on arrse.co.uk some time - it might come as a bit of a shock.

Best wishes

tac

Zero interest in looking at arrse.co.uk but thanks.

chopper6

cruasder777 wrote: »

Its the same pre-para course some potential SAS members do, the same as P company, just the RAF version. All the same events, but it also has swimming tests.

Commando lite which you claim to have done is very different then doing 32 weeks which RMs do.



RAF Pre Para

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKRtNyg4Yp0

Still waiting on the pics of your undertaking P Coy.

Maybe in the interim you can answer my questions.....what year were you there and who was your CO?