British Paratrooper Pass Rate

How easy is it to become a British Paratrooper?

The Paras are one of the most idolized groups in the entire British Military and therefore receive thousands of applications each year.

In 2018 alone 3,160 people applied to join the parachute regiment with only 370 passing initial selection.

However, there has never been a better time to apply as in 2021 applications had dropped to only 1,660 with 320 still making it past selection. That means your odds of getting in just went from 11.7% to 22.2%

But passing selection’s the easy part.

You now need to try and pass phase 1 and 2 of training consisting of 30 weeks at Catterick including the brutal 5 day course set out by pegasus company followed by another 3 week parachuting course where you’ll be jumping out of a C130 Hercules during the day and at night from as little as 600ft up.

So how many pass this and get their wings?

Well on average over the last 3 years, 62.6% of prospective Paras pass phase 1 of Training at Catterick with only 47% successfully completing phase 2. That means as an applicant in 2021 had a 9% chance or passing selection and phase 1 and 2 of training thereby getting their wings.

Nonetheless, many who don’t pass phase 2 of para training aren’t discharged but are relocated to another regiment so if your military career isn’t necessarily over.

[Stand]

Para training P/Coys is designed to be extremely tough, because you’re basically fighting on your own against much larger forces.

[lewis]

Most don’t make it not because they lack the mental fortitude but because their bodies just can’t deal with the stress of training

[ChipmunkRapidsMadMan]

British special operators, if there's an ounce of quit in you, they'll find it and either exercise it out of you, or they'll break you over it.

[scottjoseph]

Hard as hell. The Brits train very well. Their problem is they are too damn small in numbers.

[JoSwann-itjf]

I can count to 20 without taking off my socks, so that's me ruled out 😂

[garethevans]

Been there done that....onto other life challenges.

[Weirdplaysgames]

The paras are so hard core they make me happy to be British cause if these bad ass guys

[gregzivic]

Wish the us army airborne would do this, to many non infantry get there jump wings and it water downs the elite status of the airborne division in my opinion

[Sam_.]

How hard is it to join the Salvation Army?

[azmkin]

Can you please do one on the Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC)?











You only made one on border patrol.

[mettie]

My dad taught me a song about the cherry berets that the rest of the army used to sing- paras are tough but nothing compared to the royal marines

[vegawan]

You know you can do that parachute course, right?

[mikeycraig]

During the 90s, i don't know if it's still happening, you could do a sort of weeks work experience with the army. It was called 'a look at life in...' (presumably the air force and navy had one too, mine was Army though) and basically involved being billeted at Browning Barracks, Aldershot. The week we did entailed a small slice of P-Company, the course they use to train Paras. I was fit as a kid but it was a hard hard shock doing just a fragment of that course, especially the trainasium!
I don't think the Paras are in Aldershot anymore but im guessing the program stays the same wherever. Well i say the same, they've lowered standards now so they can admit the alphabet cult.

[glenoliver]

If it was easy everyone would do it. Train hard to make the fight easier

[angelayates]

And I lost lost my job because of Suzanne prices I'm 25 years older than Suzanne price this isn't fair I'm competent, this isn't fair I'm not ready to retire

[judestraker]

My dad was a Para and he said 0.8% passed his selection

[EUKBIKER]

"You get your training in Catterick"... Weirdly thats where they train tank and convoy drivers too... Im not in the army, i just pass through there sometimes on the motorcycle. Its a nice area with nice views, what else can i say?

[davidjohnston]

Never did this, but you have missed so much out for a guy to post about this subject. get a grip and research properly

[docdildonica]

British Paratroopers train a lot harder than yanks

[angelayates]

My dad got his wings and also gott a degree in chiropody