Marines V Paras (British)

[Lady Whistledown]

So is it the Green or Red Berets?

Thanks..

I wouldn't recommend referring to the Paras as "red berets" in front of one of them. It is- most definitely- maroon.

Red berets are most strongly associated with the Royal Military Police (known, amongst other soubriquets, as "monkeys").

 

[Muhammad - I’m hard - Bruce Lee]

No question.

Per Mare, Per Terram

 

[jackanada]

Having been beaten up by several members of 2para some years ago I would not class them as elite troops. Despite having a large drunk target to aim for they miserably failed to punch me in the face many times. One of them did show initiative by circling behind me and kicking me in the kidney- a move I made a mental note of as it was most effective in dropping me. They then managed some reasonable team work by standing round in a circle and kicking me for a few minutes, and demonstrated their persistence and fitness by doing it all over again when I foolishly got back up. Unfortunately they lost their discipline celebrating their successful battle and split up somewhat. This caused one of them to be decked by a seriously bruised bleeding probably concussed teenager who could only see out one eye - which severely curtailed his enjoyment of trying to smash a smaller teenagers head against a fencepost.

 

[lawros left foot]

Having been beaten up by several members of 2para some years ago I would not class them as elite troops. Despite having a large drunk target to aim for they miserably failed to punch me in the face many times. One of them did show initiative by circling behind me and kicking me in the kidney- a move I made a mental note of as it was most effective in dropping me. They then managed some reasonable team work by standing round in a circle and kicking me for a few minutes, and demonstrated their persistence and fitness by doing it all over again when I foolishly got back up. Unfortunately they lost their discipline celebrating their successful battle and split up somewhat. This caused one of them to be decked by a seriously bruised bleeding probably concussed teenager who could only see out one eye - which severely curtailed his enjoyment of trying to smash a smaller teenagers head against a fencepost.

I had a similar encounter in an Aldershot pub called The Seven Stars, and , I admit , I saw at least seven. But, again, thre of us, outnumbered by about 2/1 by the maroon machine

 

[Stat Brother]

I'm sure I read somewhere about a training camp of elite troops from a whole bunch of nations and the US Seals thought they would clean up but the British Marines absolutely smashed it. I'll see if I can find it...

US SEALS

We might be struggling for the same knowledge here BR:-

I think there was a documentary about The French Foreign Legion, on a while back.

A step on from basic was the ultimate assault course is Belize (?).

The record for this course set by either FFL or Marines was something silly like 45mins.

As the story goes, the US Seals rock up EXACTLY how you'd imagine them to be.
They completed the course in 8 hours.


Actual seals could have gone round it quicker.

 

[BRIGHT ON Q]

I know 2 people who were in each of these and the para would whoop the marine, but that is just 2 individuals!

 

[Lady Whistledown]

No question.

Per Mare, Per Terram

I was waiting for you to turn up, Dave

 

[User removed 4]

The guards parachute platoon tops them all

 

[Raleigh Chopper]

To give it another perspective from the outside looking in as it were I have sort of mixed with both.
A very good friend was in the army based in Aldershot we sometimes went out on the town but there certain pubs you just did not go in because they were para pubs. They ruled the place and everybody seemed totally scared to go anywhere near them my mate said they were all lunatics.

Down here in Plymouth we have 3 & 42 Commando Royal Marines. They have there pubs one being The Three Crowns on the Barbican. Its a good night out in there at the weekend with a disco and stuff.
A few years ago my same mate as above was visiting me we went to the crowns and The Marines were just back from Iraq and it was also freshers night from the Uni.
Although most of them were smashed they were polite and still totally professional. Their commanding officer made a speech it bought a tear to your eye. Some of them were huge 7 foot tall with a barrel for a chest.
Plymouth is immensely proud of the Marines and they respect Plymouth.
A friend is a police officer and she said they rarely get trouble from the marines and any trouble is mopped up by the MP.
The Americans are told not to go anywhere near the British Marines or Paras as they will beat you at everything.
Not because of Plymouth but for me the Marines are the more professional outfit.

 

[studio150]

Royal Marines, while the training may have softened since the 60s and 70s due to health and safety it is still tough. The Forced march across the Falklands being an example, although there are plenty of other examples of their exploits.

 

[Raleigh Chopper]

There's nothing cushy about life in The Womens Auxillary Balloon Corps.

 

[Bruntburger]

Royal Marines are more multi skilled and obviously being part of the Navy they are trained primarily as an amphibious attacking unit. The paras are soldiers and that's what they do. They soldier hard. Americans rely on technology and top quality equipment eg they have comfy boots, good food, sat nav and go back to base for a goods nights sleep. British soldiers have blisters, rations and a compass and sleep on the dessert floor.

 

[GoldWithFalmer]

I wouldn't recommend referring to the Paras as "red berets" in front of one of them. It is- most definitely- maroon.

Red berets are most strongly associated with the Royal Military Police (known, amongst other soubriquets, as "monkeys").

Yes-sorry edna,technically i am wrong...

 

[GoldWithFalmer]

Thanks for the replies,i am proud to have both units and as a nation,although small in number,our troops have historically been very well trained,disciplined and professional,of a personal choice if i was fit enough i would be a Paratrooper,this perhaps stems somewhat from my admiration of all airborne units during WW2...

Forget pubs drinking and who can do what in town centre pubs,we all bleed red and even the mighty can be shown humility by the tinniest of foes.....

 

[Seagull over Canaryland]

Well worth a visit to the Paras museum at Duxford, the aircraft exhibitions are superb but was pleasantly surprised to find a section dedicated to the Paras, which is very detailed and fascinating.

I've had the privilege of working with many ex-Paras and Marines and both types were completely bonkers, always trying to outdo each other with daft challenges, and absolutely no fear, and they were the sensible ones. Great lads.

 

[Northstander]

Ask yourself these....

1. How many paras have joined the SBS
2. How many marines have joined the SBS/SAS/Mountain Leadership cadre
3. In arctic/mountainous terrain, the RM/commando are specialists
4. The paras are a specialist/airbourne front line infantry, the RM are frontline specialist infantry who are airbourne and a naval special force

I don't have the right answer, each have my full respect but I sway to RM. I'm just glad both are on our side

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Yes-sorry edna,technically i am wrong...

Well I don't mind for a second, but I know a few Paras who'd get the mighty hump about it

 

[GoldWithFalmer]

Well I don't mind for a second, but I know a few Paras who'd get the mighty hump about it

That's fine,pssst just don't show them this thread or else they will all be after me,and then i would have to call upon my Gurkha friends

 

[aberdare seagull]

To give it another perspective from the outside looking in as it were I have sort of mixed with both.
A very good friend was in the army based in Aldershot we sometimes went out on the town but there certain pubs you just did not go in because they were para pubs. They ruled the place and everybody seemed totally scared to go anywhere near them my mate said they were all lunatics.

Down here in Plymouth we have 3 & 42 Commando Royal Marines. They have there pubs one being The Three Crowns on the Barbican. Its a good night out in there at the weekend with a disco and stuff.
A few years ago my same mate as above was visiting me we went to the crowns and The Marines were just back from Iraq and it was also freshers night from the Uni.
Although most of them were smashed they were polite and still totally professional. Their commanding officer made a speech it bought a tear to your eye. Some of them were huge 7 foot tall with a barrel for a chest.
Plymouth is immensely proud of the Marines and they respect Plymouth.
A friend is a police officer and she said they rarely get trouble from the marines and any trouble is mopped up by the MP.
The Americans are told not to go anywhere near the British Marines or Paras as they will beat you at everything.
Not because of Plymouth but for me the Marines are the more professional outfit.

I do like a beer in the three crowns when in GUZZ

 

[shaolinpunk]

Royal Marines > the rest