Pegasus Company Episode 2

Episode 2 in our four part mini-series following Parachute Regiment Recruits through Test Week, also know as P Company, at ITC Catterick in the United Kingdom.
My channels: zez.am/mike.th...

[@darrenbudgen966]

Number 26, the lone survivor on his log at the end with the DS, genuinely a solid effort there 💪🏼

[@KD-pb1ur]

I was thinking that when I saw it, good f****** effort from him

[@tommy1___106]

My uncle lol his names will

[@hislatestflame7861]

And this ladies and gents is why the Parachute Regiment is one of the toughest fighting units in the world. Proper respect to any man who gets to wear the maroon beret.

[@1anre]

Check out the Indian Para SF unit while at it, their selection/training is bonkers.

[@allhickup336]

What about the hats at collie (I'm one of them)

[@JammyDodger45]

FYI women wear the Maroon beret too.

[@1anre]

@@JammyDodger45 there are now female paras or how did they earn it?

[@JammyDodger45]

@@1anre - you don't have to earn the Maroon beret, it's given to anyone who joins 16 Brigade so there are hundreds of females who've worn it. That said there is one female who has passed All Arms P-Coy, Captain Rosie Wild.

[@rl6783]

As a former bootneck, it’s good to see this insight into your training. Really enjoying watching your short documentary 👍🏼 all the best, Mike.

[@MikeThwaite]

Thanks Royal, appreciate the feedback. You guys have always been on point with your media 👊

[@heywoodjerbloume]

One did P Company in the mid 60s and I found the hardest part was convincing myself I could do this.These young lads trying out will be a credit to the unit.

[@coopersleftpeg3873]

Served in the Royal Air Force for 9 years, 88 until 97. These guys have balls of steel. Looking at the DS you wouldn’t want to piss them off and having guys like that take the fight to the enemy with real aggression has for some reason made me smile slightly. Glad they are on my side. Superb guys and respect. 🇬🇧

[@sethjohnson9483]

28 years later and my left arm still hurts whenever I see the log-race. Certainly the event that I found hardest.

[@50fit2fight8]

Thank you once again Brother for the content, it's a trip watching these. In the 80s it was get plenty of scoff make sure you get a Brew, and salt your food, 2020s it's use plenty of Electrolytes. 👌Love it. 'Men apart Every Man an Emperor'

[@williampacter7399]

Really good short documentary. Thanks Mike. Looking forward to the next episode

[@MikeThwaite]

Thanks William 👊👍

[@trevwalker8987]

Mass respect to all you lads👍.Trev Barnsley South Yorkshire England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿.

[@stuartdavies10]

Another excellent episode, a great insight into the airborne world,i'm familiar with P-company but it's always good to see how each new generation fairs.

[@sonsofthesilentage994]

Another very good bit of film, The log... It is what it is, you can wrap these guys in as much cotton wool as you like to help them, but the log doesn't care lol, Really enjoying this series.

[@SarahJonestoo]

The quality of the production in this video is astounding and It really allows us to see the determination, courage and effort of these soldiers. Kudos to each Joe and the DS and the film team. Great job.

[@ian-mucarruthers441]

I've watched any number of docs on getting entry to the regiment.. So far this is by far the best...the filming is great.. You take us inside and its the least over dramatic I've seen.. Great work.. Thanks

[@MikeThwaite]

Appreciate the feedback 👊

[@briancunningham1975]

That was brilliant to watch , good insight to see what my boy went through and to see what he’s now become 6 year down the line Another subscriber here 👍🏻

[@MikeThwaite]

Thanks Brian 👊🇬🇧🆎️

[@timdecker5045]

Another great film. My overriding memory of the Tranezium is grabbing the cargo net, rather than punching through as instructed. I ended up flying off the net and cracking my helmet on the big bar at the bottom. A good lesson to me in following instructions!

[@Eoghainn]

Great work, the mindset of the guys going through P Company is inspiring.

[@Chezerhenlow]

It’s a little known fact but the trainasium is also going to be employed on the Ranger Cadre. At the top of the shuffle bars, rather than being made to shout out your name & number you will instead be required to shout out ‘I’m an absolute crap hat in a made-up Unit’ and the Superman jump will be used to replicate scaling the camp fence to go AWOL due to failing a CDT for the third time on the bounce 💩💩

[@mickydrippin3105]

😂😂😂😂😂 thats fucking mega

[@richarddepledge960]

BRILLIANT.

[@timdecker5045]

Perfect!

[@JammyDodger45]

There's no need to make 💩 up, we all know the Ranger Regt is going to be an absolute farce. After all it's not like someone from 4 Rifles doing the Ranger Cadre has just shot himself in the foot whilst holstering his Glock ... oh hold on, that's exactly what's happened!

[@GMU8]

I found the trainasium the hardest event. Totally underestimated it. Shit my pants. No problem with jumping out of aircraft but found this tricky.

[@Gndlf_TheOrange]

No bullshit from P company staff. They've been there, done it and continue to run through every log race. As fit and tough as they come.

[@1anre]

It seemed like a walk in the park for them. Guess a couple of them have deployed overseas several time and have see real combat prior as well

[@angryquack2470]

A fantastic and insightful episode yet again. Need to get myself down and watch the lads in action.

[@stephentaylor2119]

P Company build up the week before was harder, most of the events were covered, but an extra distance added on. I was stiff all over and could hardly walk that weekend before, but as soon as stepped off on the 10 miler Monday morning all aches and pains were immediately forgotten about.

[@richarddepledge960]

Eh up Steve. Hope your ok. Regards RICKY D.

[@juliehillman8743]

A valiant effort by all. Mr Denby, kudos to you young man. Good luck fellas.

[@jonathanpork-sausage617]

Great piece of film making this. Really caught it. Can't wait for the next two episodes!

[@barrywallace8852]

Watching this gives me flash backs to the log 👀, absolute brutal event! Just watching this gets me pumped 🔥

[@Glee73]

thanks for sharing this. have read a lot about p company, but its great to see it presented like this in a video. what impressed me the most, was the professionalism of the staff, very high quality.

[@johngoodwin732]

Mega series Mike, something to rival the RM cinematography…hope you’re able to continue it back in the Brigade

[@1anre]

The RM own seems to be hosted on their official channel and looks like it’s heavily funded by then as well, Mike’s effort looks like he’s doing it out of passion to capture what these Joe’s experiences like, but the Para Regt should fund him and host his content on their official page too. It’s worthy of it.

[@gilesosullivan-wade5941]

I've never forgotten the log! An epic event that tests your physical and mental courage.

[@jackmerritt3784]

On relection, I seem to remember that we had wooden boards about 2m below us. Well, it was a long time ago. The worst bit was lifting the boot over the scaffolding connector about half way along at the top. The rest was fairly easy. We thought that we were going to wear plimsoles to stop us slipping, but as I said before, we wore ammo boots, & it was in the winter, with snow on the pipes. The 'death slide' was a doddle. One of our lads refused on the Fan, at Abingdon. He must have wanted to go home!

[@MikeThwaite]

I certainly wouldn't fancy giving it a shot in ammo boots! Fair play 👊

[@barnabyhoofer8044]

No safety barrier round the top of the trainasium in Aldershot. Mindja, the ground was so waterlogged, if you fell, you'd just get back up there with no injuries. The log race is pure evil. A mile and half of sheer agony.

[@markpaddock8799]

Hideous event, four of us finished on my log. Top stuff to these chaps.

[@peterstanton253]

I was that soldier - the only difference was immediately after the log race the team had to hoist one of our log team members atop the log (they all had to hoist the log verically with a member spread eagle on the top) - I was the unfortunate member to be picked (I was the smallest at 5' 8"). I held on to the log as it was postioned on my stomach and let them raised me aloft whereby I did the dutiful thing and spread-eagled myself and called out my name rank and number - that was it - the team lowered the log. I can't be sure - or perhaps it's my imagination but the logs we used in my time seemed a lot longer. Please don't think I'm waffling about how it was harder in my time - I'm not. The hardest for me was the exertion of running with this abominable weight of hell. Can you ordinary people imagine the exhiaration and elation of passing this torture and knowing you're off to Abingdon for parachute training? Great video and kudos to all that have acheived the accolade of passing through this ordeal (In service 1966 - 1975 2 Para).

[@pierevojzola9737]

Hi Peter, I did the November intake in 1960. That training area of the confidence and assault course was always wet. The worst was the tunnels that always had a foot of water. That bloody log race up the hill and down was murder and as we had our toggle ropes wound around the pole and our wrists became an anchor when a bloke fell. As we were the last to come in we had to march back to camp caring the log. Thanks to to the PTI hitting me with his stick, I hated him so much I managed to channel my hate to keep going. Only six blokes finished from my intake to make it to 3 Para. I think that I am the only one left alive from that lot. Cheers mate. Harera

[@blackswahiligirl573]

Utrinque paratus - “ready for anything”

[@lukemorrison9293]

Great video 👍 🆎 Ready for anything Great times and memories are popping up for us.

[@gfield1607]

Another great vid, I was looking forward to episode 2. Well done.

[@richarddepledge960]

Epi 2 great stuff again. The filming and drone footage is ace. Im 58 and still got the ABN spirit and tabbing to work tomorrow as usual. Happy days.

[@mikewigg9431]

Nice one remember being on the log back in the shot back in 87 going up hungry hill as a crow in 529 platoon brings the hairs up on my neck still Utrinque paratus

[@Skyswinger]

I remember laying on my belly before the start of the log race. My heart was beating so hard with nervousness it felt like I was bouncing.

[@jlwf060204]

Awsome effort number 26

[@jackmerritt3784]

They have altered it, & made it easier. I'm sure that there was no safety net when I did it in the winter of 1954. Agreed, the log was the hardest. Do they still go up Gun hill with it? The instructors used to hit you with a toggle rope if you were slacking. Shouting & urging, all the time. Brutal.

[@pierevojzola9737]

Hi Jack Merritt, strange, reading the comments before yours I got a feeling of something being left out. I did my P Company six years after you and having already served in Africa and far east I found the physical training within my competence. The log race was the hardest as we tied our toggle ropes around what looked like the thick end of a telegraph pole, put the back of our hand on the knot, tied a knot, grasped the rope and then tied the rope to the wrist. There was no way of dropping off the log! Your comment on getting thrashed by the PTI’s is spot on, in fact I maintain that my hatred of the b……. hitting me was the motivation I used to complete the race! I have done 20 years in three armies and it is still the hardest training I have done. Cheers mate. Harera

[@warddemolition1332]

Great episode, gave me goose bumps. I stayed on the log, quite proud of that :-)

[@heinzg6375]

Suprem leadership from the staff, just pick up the log and push as hard as the recruit. Show that being a para is something you do every day not just during P company.

[@KyleSmithFIT]

Really enjoying this series, good job at capturing all the best bits 🤮🤣

[@runningcontours1484]

Great to see this again and good filming too 👊🏼

[@deleuze369]

More please , really enjoying these . Thanks!

[@MikeThwaite]

Thanks, more coming 👍

[@neilkeepingitreal]

If that guy with the silly moustache shouted at me I wouldn't be able to keep a 😂straight face😂

[@MarsRonin]

Great series and great insight so far!

[@maxcullen3427]

As lifelong English civvie well done lads I’d love that before myTBI Balance has gone but hey why not🇬🇧 Major respect and thank you all 🇬🇧

[@lisatubb7663]

Cant wait to see the rest!

[@god4143]

Good stuff. Number 26 is a beast with the log. Fuck me

[@lade_edal]

I made a pact to myself that there was no way I was coming off that log if I was alive. Nerves were insane. They say this is the hardest event on p company and it might just be. But I also think the stretcher was tough, particularly trying to stay with it when you weren’t carrying it oddly enough. It just seems to get away from you. Generally I find the fetishisation of p company makes me uncomfortable as I don’t think it’s that bad. But the log and stretcher do hurt. That said and it might be an age thing but I found p company a fair bit cheekier than the hills.

[@1anre]

What of the milling stage?

[@lade_edal]

@@1anre milling was not something that I think kept many people up at night. It actually felt quite good to release and let go for that minute lol Milling was a great craic!

[@james7477]

Personally I found the stretcher worse, maybe because of the distance. The log was almost out if body experience though! 4/8 of us finished on my log, and had to change position several times. Best advice before the log race, is to NEVER take your hand out of the rope.

[@shonith9109]

Loved second episode. 100% need more videos on Airborne 🇬🇧 💪

[@james7477]

Great video. Well done. Good variety of angles and smooth tempo.

[@gregbarber7585]

Once again, brilliant. 👊

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

Done a few log runs in my life, none in P company mind, always looks easier than it actually is, especially when you then have to take it over an assault course at the end.

[@operationlongdrive1652]

Cracking effort!

[@grahamc9890]

I remember 9 ppl on some logs 1 at the front I was the anchor at the back along with a figi n guy who bowater knocked clean out in the milling and he broke his ankle intact at Brize we were coming back from cartiton and bowater jumped on someone's back and he had to go back to depo without his wings I spent an xtra 6 weeks at depo waiting for the plt below us to catch up so we could make a plt for live attack week and dynamite mole

[@KevinLearAdventures]

Happy days :-).........PICK UP THE LOG !

[@TURBOCLAY_]

Makes me want to rejoin. Not the Grenadiers though. Remember doing a log race on HDPRCC. Good times made better by a motorcycle crash on he 1st weekend of the course. Cracked a couple of ribs and did my back in. Didn’t tell the DS, just a huge amount of ibuprofen every day with each meal and cracked(pun intended) on. No drama. 😎👍🏼

[@1anre]

You still earned the maroon beret even with this injuries internally?

[@TURBOCLAY_]

No. I was a guardsman in the Grenadier Guards. On a lance corporals course. HDPRCC standing for Househould Division Centralised Courses. Paras and guards go on the same corporals course. Yes I did pass and earned my chevrons. 😎👍🏼

[@maratonlegendelenemirei3352]

Joe? It's CROW!

[@carlgilbert7418]

Can't wait for the next one 💪💪👍

[@BellogsTheChicken]

I remember the log race when I done it in the 80s I watch in disbelief as most of the recruits didn't finish as a full section.How things have changed.

[@OGaiming]

Surely that means your log race was easier?

[@50fit2fight8]

@Harry Orson No buddy he's right, back then it was driven into us you finish as a section, how can you fight as a section of Men if there is no section. If you Think about what the event simulates. I'm never going to get into what's easier or harder because these Lads deserve the same respect. I will say in the 80s pass rate was low so they moved P company back. 'Men apart Every Man an Emperor'

[@1anre]

@@OGaiming maybe their diet and way of life back then wasn’t as sedentary as it is right now. They didn’t have video games to play all day or Mountain Dew and other energy drinks to take all day, they spent most of their free time outside, so had better stamina than the kids of today.

[@ken-u3n]

@@1anre Yep. That just about sums up the problem with fitness facing the Army and RM today. Years of bad diet ( ie fast & processed food) , a sedentary lifestyle and an almost clinical addiction to smartphones & social media. We live in a fat, flabby world these days. That said, credit to these lads for taking on the challenge. Me - All Arms P Coy 1971 Depot Para & Wales.

[@N331_05]

I plan on joining the para reserves- I’m 16 at the moment- is this what I should expect and what is the best way I can prepare myself - any comments will be appreciated🙏

[@MikeThwaite]

Yes watch the whole series. It will give you an insight into what you'll be expected to undertake. Good luck 👊

[@damienelliott4906]

Brilliant series 👏

[@neilcornes6149]

Carrying the log on the shoulders?, never happened on p-coy in the 80s

[@heymofo1981]

Another very well put together video well done sir

[@xix645]

Log hahaha that's a match stick compared to the tree we had to carry at the Kings Div Depot in the 80's for 8miles. You also weren't allowed to carry it on your shoulder which is easier as you can run upright as opposed to on a lean.

[@MikeThwaite]

Sounds a beast 👊

[@lade_edal]

Oh man if only I’d known I’d have joined the kingos instead

[@gunnyhighway4422]

Yeah cheers ya screamer

[@slowdivebreeze1]

Can someone explain the ‘joe’ business to me? When did all that start? Remember being collectively called Toms but not during training.

[@herrickmaster77]

Did the all arms course that was nails enough ,16 AA bde and 3 CDO bde best two brigades in the arms forces

[@martinthwaite7114]

💪💪🇬🇧 c'mon the Reg

[@mrjordanwylie]

Brilliant footage, great insight and a very slick professional edit! #Respect

[@1anre]

Who were the lucky lads who didn’t have to join the log race & were allowed to take a knee on the sidelines as if they were helping their coursemates mount security while they jogged on?

[@MikeThwaite]

They came off their logs and have to face out away from the recruits still on the logs.

[@Mogojoegotube]

Step dad was in the paras, told just how difficult p company is. Respect to the lads who kept on trying and those who gave it a go 💪🏼. It's not a test of strength its a test of resilience and mental strength.

[@neilcornes6149]

How can you fail any of the events, and still pass p-coy?

[@gman232]

such an inspiration parachute regiment is uploading episode 3 soon?

[@MikeThwaite]

Next Saturday! 👊

[@JC-ej1zy]

So on p company you can fail one test but if get enough points on other tests can still be deemed as a pass ?

[@michaelstewart6652]

Episode 3!!

[@martinthwaite7114]

C'mon the Reg 🇬🇧💪

[@adethoem7815]

Fantastic moustache

[@GIZALARF]

Number 26 = Nails

[@jimbob9618]

What manner of men....🇬🇧

[@117Industries]

What are the chances of getting on okay as a 28 year old who'd be 29/30 before I could hope to enter training? Would they fob me off at the AFCO given my age, or do "grandads" bring value to these intakes provided their fitness is there? And would prior military experience, even non-combat REMF experience, be useful to lean upon, or would it be best to keep the mouth shut and head down? I certainly feel it's my duty to serve given the events unfolding in the world right now, and want to know if there's any chance for a gobshite blowhard! This awesome series has inspired me to do my bit in other words, and while the training looks savage, it rewarding and appropriate. Many thanks.

[@MikeThwaite]

Tom, you're not to old mate, you've got till you're 35. Follow this link for more details and good luck! apply.army.mod.uk/roles/infantry/paratrooper?cid=refe6599327715

[@117Industries]

@@MikeThwaite Really appreciate it Mike. I've started grafting at work to regain focus and restrengthen the will, and I will start training to get back to fitness. I can't thank you enough for this production. You are an absolute legend, just like these recruits. 💪

[@MrQuackism]

When is the final episode coming out? :)

[@MikeThwaite]

Episode 3 tonight and the final episode 4 next week! 👊

[@milaskilathelab]

Good effort Lads!

[@changmarcus6297]

Was it movember when this was filmed

[@vinopurshotam2443]

Not bad big change

[@ancientmachine9070]

Id hate to be the DS doing the superman jump. I never landed it correctly once.

[@Freddo300]

Get me on the field I would show up the whole work force. #NoPork

[@ghostwriter2031]

The commentary said they will attend Brize before joining their Bn. Are the guys now joining Bn with their wings ?

[@MikeThwaite]

In an ideal world, but most get loaded on after joining Bn.

[@ghostwriter2031]

@@MikeThwaite thanks Mike. I thought that was still the case.

[@arlokootz3545]

@@MikeThwaite I always wondered why do the DS still wear lightweights? Rather than combats

[@johnallen7807]

Sure this looks easier than the Aldershot one lol

[@lukemorrison9293]

Bk in my day 🤣😉

[@johnallen7807]

@@lukemorrison9293 Yep, when a pint was 5s lol

[@ancientmachine9070]

7RHA p company staff?

[@stephentaylor2119]

P Company staffed by anyone from Airborne Forces, primarily Para Regt though. P Company is all an All Arms course.

[@UmvimvaniT]

Thanks!

[@PreparedPathfinder]

10:19...take cover!

[@Based120]

coming of the log should be an automatic p coy fail

[@bengough6772]

When do they switch to carrying in on their shoulder?

[@JammyDodger45]

The log? When there are too few left to carry it by the ropes.

[@SnakePliskin762]

Can i see her pass first part?

[@grahamc9890]

No one came off my log that's cause I drove the log as hard as I could ve r y back left we came in second and th we all arms beat us by only 60metres its funny watching wows and sgts drop out runs and us 17 year old passed them easy

[@jamesholland1006]

a school kid could do that trainasium event , for the perceived best infantry unit in the world you would think they could devise a tougher exercise than that

[@MikeThwaite]

Absolutely, it's got nothing to do with an individuals physical ability, tougness or age. Its designed to test mental sutability prior to a jumps course. That's why it's pass or fail. Saves sending someone up in an aircraft and them refusing in the door. No point being fit if you can't jump.

[@jamesholland1006]

@@MikeThwaite ya I understand that it just seems incredibly outdated and not really task specific , jumping from a swinging rope onto a net 5 ft off the ground is preparing someone to jump into a war zone ?

[@MikeThwaite]

@@jamesholland1006 No, as I said it test suitability to progress to para training. Learning to conduct any form of air manoeuvre warfare only takes place once you've been selected and joined a unit. That's the same in the majority of arms and services and isn't specific to the PARAS.

[@lupotraining4624]

Cmon lozzaaaaa

[@graehamquilliam7019]

Why are they called JOE?

[@ken-u3n]

Joined On Enlistment

[@graehamquilliam7019]

@@ken-u3n thanks for that.

[@JammyDodger45]

Made up story. Just like TAB or why they wear Maroon.

[@mcalax5901]

That climbing frame thing is easy. They’ve made it easier than in the past.

[@user-tg4kv5yt6p]

sorry how do you know?

[@maquettemusic1623]

It's not meant to be difficult. It's meant to be a mental challenge. Has nothing to do with physicality.

[@johnnymoto77]

No they havent it looks scarier than the one at Aldershot,.Thank my lucky stars when we went we weren't allowed to do that bit as we where only 16.Though they did give us a beasting,you had to run straight through anything in front of you or they said you weren't tired enough and took you round again,I loved it.

[@snowflakemelter1172]

Back to your gaming now.

[@johnnymoto77]

Much as I appreciate what the paras do,I just cant get past the ridiculous berets some are sporting.It looks naff its not the least stylish surely you can see that (It detracts form what you do). It reminds me of the people who had sewn in creases, or ironed one side of their trousers lightweights so one side was lighter all that sort of nonsense to stand out and be different. As for the tach give me a break,70s porn tach maybe in a retro way.But tally ho bandits one five,give me a break.This has been a public service announcement from a 70s BAOR BOF.

[@noxcinematic6407]

It’s Regimental History. Soldiers did it in the Radfan to block the sun from their eyes. In the days when berets were worn often in combat. Paras were the first and only ones to do it and are now copied because all other units want to be like The Paras. That speaks for itself. It’s worse seeing it on Non Para Reg units because it isn’t unit history and it’s nothing but walting.

[@snowflakemelter1172]

They'll be gutted you don't like their berets and moustaches. Probably parade the entire regiment and break this news to the troops.

[@JammyDodger45]

@@noxcinematic6407 - that's total bollocks, a story that grew out of the supposed history of 'ally', 3 Para were in Radfan for barely over a month in Apr/May. There's are loads of photos of Paras out there and they aren't wearing bellend berets.