BRITISH ARMY P Company | my experience and advice

One of the most physically and mentally demanding course in the British Army, P Company! A 5 day test week as well as multiple weeks spent preparing to take on the arduous challenges. One of the only British Army courses that allows you to get your British Airborne Wings. P Coy!
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[@ii8215]

Great video 👍 I've subbed keep up the good work.

[@KyleSmithFIT]

thanks mate, appreciate it!

[@herrickmaster77]

3 weeks centralised course beat up at pirbright/Aldershot followed by AAPPS at catterick tough course i did and was glad to pass first time

[@matthewjones9565]

I could go the rest of my life without seeing another telegraph pole quite happily. I can't say that I enjoyed the tranasium very much either.

[@MyBrothersKeeperMBK-pc1kk]

D shape Cornish pasty on the 20miler at the half way mark. Good times.

[@MrUltrasound]

I watched a guy fall off lepods leap,,,,,, no net days . named after a guy that died on that see saw section of trainasium. ( i passed first time) nice rendition Sir ;

[@ianblair9752]

Kyle, great video giving a good background and insight to what is expected during P Company.. I never knew the test week was the same for Depot and the All Arms course.. Respect

[@KyleSmithFIT]

Yeah no difference in terms of events/timings for events however I do think the infantry carry slightly more weight, an extra 5-6lbs. Not 100% on this one though. Thanks Ian appreciate you watching 👍🏻

[@ianblair9752]

@@KyleSmithFIT the closet thing I did to P Company was a Lanyard Trophy organized by 216 Sig Sqn back in 94. 6 months of training to carry 40lbs + water over 48 miles from Vimy Bks to Tan Hill and back in the quickest time as a squad of 8

[@KyleSmithFIT]

@@ianblair9752 sounds rough mate. I Don’t think I would like to give that a go 🤣

[@JB-td9fz]

@@ianblair9752 lanyards over 40 miles.

[@ianblair9752]

@@JB-td9fz on average you are correct 👍 however the one they did at Catterick that year was 48 miles 😜

[@jimmyshelton6558]

HI VERY WELL ANALYSTED I WANTON TO BE IN THE PARAS IN MY TEENAGE YEARS BUT DUE TO MY HEARING DISABILITY I COULDN:T TGC LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR NEXT VIDEO TGC FROM JIMMY IN HYDE CHESHIRE

[@js5189]

How long is application process? I just turned 30 and want to join 4 para for financial reasons. I heard lads have smashed it past 30. Hoping I can do it without injury.

[@bobhoskins9539]

Is the all arms why you will see lads with maroon berets but different cap badges? For example like on of the p company staff in that para program

[@KyleSmithFIT]

Yes all-arms is for anyone else in the army who wants/needs to do P-coy. Every regiment in 16 Air Assault Brigade (including 2-3 para) must have parachuting capability so therefore, every Regiment must a personel who have passed P-Coy and got their wings. Parachute Regiment do it as part of their basic training and other regiments (Artillery, medics, engineers, REME etc.. ) do it when they get to their regiment after training.

[@bradknapp5848]

So, the trainasium. It doesn’t look hard but is there any tips any one can give like how to keep your balance up top, touch your feet and get back up again. Anything would help, thanks guys

[@empire-classfirenationbatt2691]

I'm a South African infanteer and I always come to the british paras for motivation and tips to prepare to get my own wings in our parachute regiment one day at our equivalent of an all arms para course called "open selection". I just wish we had a pre para preparation. Open selection is all up to us to prepare for unfortunately.

[@joeldavison7153]

Fellow South African here applying for Paras. Just finished assessment center and have prac soon

[@empire-classfirenationbatt2691]

@@joeldavison7153 damn. Good luck and all the best, blood.

[@1Palmz]

@@joeldavison7153And a half safa here! Just completed prac, how did you get on?

[@joeldavison7153]

@@1Palmz when they say prac is nothing they are not lying

[@curvvi3298]

Is the whole P company the same even if you’re in regiment wanting to join a para bty

[@antonysavage8218]

I was aldershot 5 airborne then 16 air assault was formed colly

[@onlybugwit]

when I got to the top of the trainasium, the instructor shouted up to me to not make it look so easy,

[@tommyrouse6448]

Great video - didn’t realise P Coy was now split over a weekend? Cushy 😂

[@KyleSmithFIT]

Aye easy going 🤣 not 100% sure if the reg lads get the weekend off like the all arms course. I can imagine they don’t.

[@simonrogersparachuteregime3022]

@@KyleSmithFIT no you dont

[@paulog9109]

In my day coming off the log was a fail.

[@trendinggh4123]

Love your videos.. I want to join... Am in Ghana... I need help ooo...

[@FHIPrincePeter]

Join the French Foreign Legion you get to learn a French.

[@ciarancallaghan8166]

I think we were at Larkertraz at the same time, were you on specialist PT when Bomb Spiers was in charge?

[@KyleSmithFIT]

Yeah mate I was, seems like a long time ago 🤣

[@ciarancallaghan8166]

@@KyleSmithFIT simpler times! Do you feel specialist pt helped at all? Just seemed to give lads injuries have the time. I did AACC which was rats, and not sure specialist pt actually made a difference.

[@KyleSmithFIT]

@@ciarancallaghan8166 yeah it didn’t help me as much when Spiers was in charge cause he just pushed at of RM things. The running and being breasted part helped I think.

[@antonysavage8218]

Maroon machine I miss it

[@jameswilliam2708]

A lad went through phase 1 with me around 2005. Simpson ( I think he was called) was ‘best recruit’ by an obvious margin through the course and seemed to know everything and be super motivated, all the time. Never switched off. Anyway…I posted to a hat reg and he went to 7 RHA. Bump into him around 2 years later at a gunner event in Woolwich…Simpson now is a chunky boi, no wings. I couldn’t believe my eyes. The lad I figured would end up in PF or something is now a unit mong. He didn’t even seem to mix with the rest of the 7 RHA lads at the event, he was always just mincing around about 20m behind the ‘main’ group of lads. I assumed that’s because he was being ostracised for being a regimental biff.

[@KyleSmithFIT]

Happens mate, sometimes people get injuries and never pass P-coy, that normally effects their promotion and regimental life massively. When I served most of the lads who couldn’t pass p coy after 3 attempts were posted out to another unit, if they didn’t it would take them ages to promote as your treat like shite and it would just be a lot better for their career to go somewhere else. Not sure if this is the case now, equality has a big place in the military now and lack of numbers may have an effect on them.

[@jameswilliam2708]

@@KyleSmithFIT fair enough. Would never have bet on him not cracking it, injuries aside. Bizarrely, the lad in the bed next to me in Pirbright was a real softy, super polite, not an ounce of visible aggression and probably at best middle 3rd phys-wise. Glasses, looked like a small chubby version of Harry Potter. Anyway, out of Larkhill this dude posted to 29 and passed AACC. Incredible

[@KyleSmithFIT]

@@jameswilliam2708 cool, just goes to show the loudest one in the room isn’t necessary the most capable.

[@louissanderson719]

Sorry for my ignorance, but why did he get posted to 7RHA without wings? Why didn’t he get out in another unit?

[@jameswilliam2708]

@@louissanderson719s far as I know, most specialist units absorb volunteers to the unit when they pass out of phase 2, and expect them to compete specialist training after they arrive. It’s also my understanding that these units conduct internal preparation courses to help candidates succeed in whatever specialist course they load on to. While I was in service, this was the case for 7 RHA, 29 CDO, 4/73 BTY, 21 BTY

[@roccostiff2444]

Only issues most ov the lads have mate is with Guards paras they cut around like there battalion paras and they sure as fuck ain’t the rest are attachments we need to mobilize and do what we do, 👍

[@KyleSmithFIT]

Everyone should know their role I guess mate 👍🏻

[@nathanbellamy6]

Yeah you get the weekend off

[@SD-he3pp]

Sir! What's the recommended age for applying PARAS? Thinking about 24-26 is okay?

[@KyleSmithFIT]

Yeah man, any age it is worth apply.

[@ramonesewell6231]

Tbh there is no age limit I’m 17 and starting the 3 day para selection course

[@kaysumner3082]

@@ramonesewell6231 did you make it? Thinking of applying at the end of this year. I’m a girl though so not sure I’ll pass on the strength

[@ramonesewell6231]

@@kaysumner3082 unfortunately I only got to week 12 and I’m now with the guards I am hoping to transfer back In some time, also depo isn’t really all about strength you should give it a shot if it’s something you want you never know you may be the first female to pass depo

[@boomer6611]

Two quick questions, the men that go through the Parachute Regiment basic training and serve in the Regiment are referred to as PARAs, correct? On the flip side does the Parachute Regiment have their own platoon medics or are they detailed to the Regiment after completing the All Arms P-Company course? Similar to the USMC, where their medics are actually corpsmen from the US Navy.

[@paratrooper3757]

They have company medics, and med regt with them while in AO's

[@herrickmaster77]

@@paratrooper3757 think it was the RMA course at keogh barracks ??

[@jamesmcguire5018]

Unless there guardsman in the guards para platoon, known as back door paras

[@robertdouglas8442]

I did it with 4 para at depot in that 1983 heatwave all 8 events done in 3 and a half days I was very fit at the time.that was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life and nether forgot it

[@yorkshirerose4225]

Trainezium is by far the bit I’m most worried about

[@spencerburrows3525]

Not worry there are safety nets on it now. There never used to be

[@Destiny15]

What are the running requirements in terms of timed runs?

[@ramonesewell6231]

Do you have any tips for the 3 day para selection course I have it in 2 weeks

[@KyleSmithFIT]

Just the basics really mate which I’m Sure you already know, do as your told, do everything as quickly and to the highest standard you can, or and work hard on PT. Do this and you will be fine, don’t take any of the bollocking personally, they are there to see if you have what it takes to join one of the toughest regiments to get in, in the British Army. Good luck 😀

[@ramonesewell6231]

@@KyleSmithFIT thanks

[@antonysavage8218]

My freind p company was hard 2para patrols

[@maxsturdee4251]

35 kg or 35lb for the 2 miler?

[@KyleSmithFIT]

35lbs that’s not including rifle and helmet though.

[@alfiecarneywoods2169]

Is the 2km time same for junior para entry ?

[@KyleSmithFIT]

No, junior can get a slower time I believe. All junior entry is the same.

[@stovelyons3898]

I did it when I was 17 pretty sure it was all the same as the adult entry, not sure about prac as I went to Harrogate and didn't have to do it

[@antonysavage8218]

Wow just remembered the word crap hat

[@EFCtalk]

Do you have an “aptitude test” for army like there is for the raf?

[@KyleSmithFIT]

I am sorry I don’t have one, best off asking your recruiter for this.

[@FHIPrincePeter]

Are you Ex 7th ?

[@googlereviews9074]

How old was you when you passed course?

[@KyleSmithFIT]

20-21 i believe :D

[@googlereviews9074]

@@KyleSmithFIT nice, Thankyou, I’m 20 and in the process of trying to complete all arms now. Bit of a graft like

[@KyleSmithFIT]

@@googlereviews9074 hahaha aye it is, worth it though.

[@SD-he3pp]

May I ask what was the problem with your eyesight? The optic? Edit: Iam asking because my eyesight is not perfect. Could it disqualify me from P-Company?

[@KyleSmithFIT]

They didn’t get me a reason, I am short signed so I’m guess that was the reason.

[@SD-he3pp]

@@KyleSmithFIT My eyesight is not perfect. Could it disqualify me from joining?

[@KyleSmithFIT]

@@SD-he3pp no mate, I think as long as it gets corrected my glasses you are ok

[@SD-he3pp]

@@KyleSmithFIT Iam assuming lenses are allowed aswell. Thank you so much 💪🏻🇬🇧💪🏻

[@KyleSmithFIT]

@@SD-he3pp yeah mate 😀

[@keithpringle3940]

Kyle, you said that you do the steeplechase with webbing and rifle, you don't! You said you do the 2miler with 37.5kg you don't, it's 35ish pounds which is less than half the weight you've just mentioned. I did mine in 98 and it looks like nothings changed which is shit hot. Your beret looked shit too!!

[@KyleSmithFIT]

Arrr yes my bad I said 37.5kg but I wrote the correct 35lbs in the screen. Release I said the wrong weight when editing, it would be tough going with 37.5kg 🤣 Thanks mate, appreciate you watching 🆎

[@jackmason4374]

I did it in1973 and only from watching this do I know what the p stood for 😂

[@KyleSmithFIT]

🤣🤣

[@stephentaylor2119]

Originally stood for Pre Parachute Selection course or P Company for short. Later The P was changed to stand for Pegasus

[@jackmason4374]

Always thought it stood for pain 🤣

[@daveshaw5293]

So p company is not the parachute regiment it's the army?

[@daveshaw5293]

@@OMT988 👍

[@paratrooper3757]

Well done for admitting 7 Hat are NOT Parachute Regiment, Airborne yes and still brothers ...cudos

[@FHIPrincePeter]

Back in the day if you had of called me a Hat you would have been on your Back no questions asked.

[@paratrooper3757]

@@FHIPrincePeter Bite !!!!! Doubt it, is that where you spend most of you're time LMFAO

[@boomer6611]

@@paratrooper3757 This is fucking hilarious! I served in the US Army's 75th Ranger Regiment. We have a long history working with the Paras and Commandos (WWII, Dieppe for example). The US Ranger Regiment had an exchange program NCOs from the Paras for a while. On that note we share a similar opinion, 'RANGERS' are those who have served in the 75th RANGER REGIMENT, and Ranger Qualified are those who went to the course. In the Regiment, we say 'The Tab is a School. The Scroll is A Way of Life', referring to the Ranger Tab being the symbol for graduating the course and the Scroll is shoulder patch meaning service in the Ranger Regiment. The only shoulder patch in the US Army not shaped like a shield. Crap Hats, or as we refer to them as LEGs, can go to the Ranger Course, but wearing the Scroll is the determining factor to refer to one as a RANGER, like the Para Cap Badge. In the US Army when one refers to service in "THE REGIMENT" it distinctly refers to service in the 75th Ranger Regiment. Sure there are other Regiments in the US Army, but there is only one RANGER REGIMENT. Sua Sponte brother, Great Day to Kill the Enemy!

[@paratrooper3757]

@@boomer6611 well said !!!

[@stephentaylor2119]

@@FHIPrincePeter SCREAMER!!!!!!

[@louiswhelan]

What would happen if only one person was left on the log 😂

[@KyleSmithFIT]

Hahaha you keep going till they say otherwise 🤣

[@louiswhelan]

@@KyleSmithFIT brilliant 😂

[@doorkickers9624]

From what i know, the p coy staff or your cpls will have to step in and help.

[@nickmiller21]

37.5 lbs not kg, that would be 80 odd lb.

[@KyleSmithFIT]

Yeah I know, said the wrong thing that’s why I put 37lbs on the screen 🤣

[@nickmiller21]

@@KyleSmithFIT To be fair 3 PARA did a lot more than 80lb over 50 or more miles in 1982. So training works.

[@alextop1850]

You 7

[@Airborne-1971-]

Walt!

[@KyleSmithFIT]

🤣

[@richardcarey169]

Modern P Company has nothing on the 70s and 80s.....handles on logs? 5 days? soft as feek SERGEANT INSTRUCTOR APTC 1970 TO 1986

[@3para.com.]

I think it’s a lot harder now than when I did it in 1958