BREIF ABOUT PARA & PARA (SF)

Parachute Regiment consists of PARA and PARA (SF) Battalions, which are the elite volunteer force of Indian Army. The Regiment has the honour of being conferred the ‘Bravest of the Brave’ distinction. . Because of its specified role, the regiment needs to be kept at optimum level of operational efficiency and physical fitness. Towards this end, this specially selected manpower should be comparatively young, physically fit and mentally robust, intelligent, innovative and highly motivated so as to successfully accomplish the assigned operational tasks. The Regiment has already been awarded 08 Ashok Chakras, 11 MahaVir Chakras, 21 Kirti Chakras, 106 Shaurya Chakras, 63 Vir Chakras and 491 Sena Medals and the list continues togrow.

Regiment’s Centre:

Bangalore with the training establishment at Agra. Recruit training is imparted at Bangalore whereas Para training is imparted at Agra.

Regimental Insignia:

An open parachute with wings spread out and a dagger placed upright, between the wings. The other badge, shown on the right, is used by the four Parachute (Special Forces) Battalions.

Motto: Shatrujeet (The Conqueror)

BREIF ABOUT PARA UNIFORM & BADGES

The regiment has the same olive green uniform with its iconic Maroon beret which gives the ParaSF officers and Jawaans a unique identity. In addition to the uniform are some unique accessories in the form of badges which makes its more attractive and respect worthy creating its own charm.

Some Badged worn by PARA SF Commandos:

1- BALIDAAN BADGE
2- SHOULDER TITLE
3- PARA WINGS
4- REGIMENTAL BADGE
5- HEADGEAR
6- JUMP INDICATOR WINGS
7- DIVING BADGE
8- COMMENDATION CARD
9- COMBAT FREE FALLING BADGE
10- TIGER HILL BADGE
11- CHAKRATA BADGE
12- MEDALS & GALLANTRY AWARDS
13- NAME PLATE
14- UNIT’S INSIGNIA
15- OTHER BADGES

BREIF ABOUT JOB PROFILE

During operations, personnel’s of PARA and PARA (SF) Regiments are assigned with the tasks, which are of special nature and demand very high standards of physical fitness and mental robustness. Upon joining the service and  for carrying out the special tasks, they are required to undergo Specialization Training at the respective battalions after clearing their probation and based on their aptitude, they may undergo specialization training in any of the following:-

a. Combat FreeFall.
b. Under WaterDiving.
c. ParamotorPilot.
d. IGLA and A/Tk MissilePilot.
e. Rock Craft and Ice Craft.

BREIF ABOUT BENEFITS

1- Elite Status. The Paratroopers by virtue of the tough selection, rigorous training and continuous deployment/ preparation are given the elite status throughout the Indian Army. Wearing the maroon beret distinguishes them from the rest and is a recognition of the ELITE across all armies of theworld.

2- Monetary Benefits. Over and above the standard Army allowances which are authorised depending on the sector where an individual serves.Th e personnels, a Sepoy rank soldier in the Special Forces unit will get Rs. 17,300/- per month as Special Forces Allowance and Rs. 6000/- per month in Para Battalion as ParaPay.

3- Exposure with Foreign Armies. Being in the PARA/ PARA (SF), generally an individual gets an exposure of serving / training with foreign Armies.

4- A Complete Soldier in PARA Regiment. Serving in the PARA/ PARA (SF), each indl can be termed as complete soldier as he has a sound working knowledge and advanced knowledge on one or more of the following skills :-
(i) Demolitions
(ii) First Aid & TraumaMgt
(iii) Communication
(iv) CombatSurvival
(v) WeaponinclSniping
(vi) Unarmed Combat &PTKE(A Philippians Martial Art)
(vii) language Skills & Cultural Skills

BREIF ABOUT SELECTION PROCEDURE

There has been no standard devised procedure for selection among Para SF. All Indian paratroopers are volunteers and are chosen on Merit. Some enter the Parachute regiments fresh from recruitment, while others transfer in from regular army units.

For gentlemen Cadets of IMA and OTA:

Pre Commission. Volunteer GCs from IMA/OTA will be commissioned at the scale of two officers per battalion per year. These officers will be allotted a parent regiment by MS Branch.

For Officers serving in the Indian army [Post Commission] :

Officers from all Arms and Services can volunteer for the Parachute Regiment subject to them having less than five years service on the day they volunteer, being in medical category SHAPE-I and being graded `EXCELLENT’ in BPET. These officers will retain their affiliated to their Regiment/Corps (as parent regiment).

BPET involves 5 km of running which is to be completed in a specific time and a group of physical exercises such as long jump, monkey rope, etc. It also involves physical exercises including running that should be completed with20 kg battle load along with 7 kg of the personal rifle.

The volunteered officers are put through a probation period of

1- 03 months for Paratroopers (Airborne) Battalions
2- 06 months for Para (Special Forces) Battalions.

All personnel are first required to qualify as Paratroopers in order to be a Para (Special Forces. Once selected, the candidates may opt to advance to the SF selection that takes place twice a year in the spring and the autumn term.

Only special forces Officers and men who qualify the stringent probation training are entitled to wear balidaan badge.

For Jawaans Recruitment into PARA Regiment:

With a view to recruit motivated and volunteer soldiers into the PARA Regt, following process would be followed with immediate affect :-

1- Successful and eligible candidates ie. those attaining 100% marks in Physical Fitness tests and 50% marks in Written Test and are in merit will be asked to exercise an option of joining the ELITE PARA Regt by AROs just prior to their despatch. These volunteers candidates will be subjected to additional tests for selection for PARA Regt.

2- These candidates who have exercised the option  of  joining  the  PARA Regt will have the assurance of joining the already allotted Parent Regt if they fail to qualify in the special screening tests for PARARegiment.

Volunteers will be subjected to special tests as stated below:-

The selected candidates will be dispatched to PRTC. In case the selected candidates are not able to meet requisite trgstds at PRTC, they will be transferred to the parent Regt for furthertrg.

The above mentioned tests will be conducted by the Bd of Offrs of the PRTC at the AROlocation/station.

By,
Gurkirat Kaur
Personality Development Coach, Defence Career Mentor,
Center Head-Centurion Defence Academy