Marines and Paras differences?

Daze

Daze

Daze

Associate
Joined
17 May 2011
Posts
1,987
Location
UK
This isn't a thread asking who would win in a fight or w/e, just looking for a bit of advice and a few questions answered. I know there are quite a few people on here in the military so I thought I'd post in this forum before I post on arrse or something.

I've always wanted to become a pilot in the Navy after Uni although I understand chances are slim so I'm looking at other options. I know I want to join the military regardless so I was considering attempting to become an Officer in either the Marines or the Paras.

What I'm wondering is how the Marines differ from the Paras? I read somewhere that the Paras carry lighter amounts, go quicker over shorter distances, and are in and out of areas faster than the Marines. Whereas the Marines usually carry heavier loads and travel over larger distances and are more capable in cold/mountainous/water environments. I'd prefer swimming etc over parachuting which would make me favour the Marines, however I would rather not carry 80lb+ for 30+ miles often, which, if the first bit I posted is correct, would make me prefer the Paras. I heard that because there are less Paras, the MOD can afford to train them all to a higher standard or w/e. I've also read that 85% of the SBS are Marines and the Marines make up for 37% of all SF in the UK, whereas the Paras make up 65% of the SAS. I'm not going to ask who's better out of the SAS and the SBS and realistically if I join either the Marines or the Paras I probably won't make it to SF anyway, but I'm just wondering how their missions differ? Would the SAS compare to Navy SEAL teams 3,4 etc and SBS compare to DEVGRU, or would SAS compare to SFOD-D and the SBS compare to DEVGRU? I've read that one of the sayings within the SBS is "everything the SAS can do and walk on water". What I'm trying to ask is are both the SAS and SBS "Tier 1" units or is one not and the other is? Also, I read in a book that the SBS get the more covert/important missions because they're less heard of and less "gungho", is this true or do they both get different types of missions with the same importance? Finally (sorry for all the questions, I can't find any definitive answers on Google), if you join the Paras can you ask to join 1PARA, the SFSG or if you join the Marines can you ask to join F Company, SFSG (would be pretty cool imo)? Or do they choose who goes there based on how well you did in training and/or experience?

Thanks
 
I have friends in the Marines and the paras. By all accounts marines selection and training is the most physically and mentally taxing selection process of a uk regiment (obv not including special forces). If you like jumping out of planes then the paras are for you. My mate in 2 para says hes not used to getting on a plane without jumping out of it before it lands now
 
Have you considered taking into account the idea of comparing the death % rate?

Not something I'd really focus on, but might be an idea to look at...

kd
 
The main difference will be the type of scenario they will be deployed for tho these days there is a lot of overlap.

I once spent awhile working alongside some guys from 1 para and they were pretty hardcore - I would say the paras are trained to survive in cold/mountainous environments just as well tho probably less emphasis on watery areas. No doubt the marines are tough to get into tho I know a guy who was hard as ****, fitness purist, determined, absolutely level headed under pressure, etc. and he didn't make it (couldn't hack it) and ended up in regular army.
 
Last edited:
Marines come from the sea (not so much these days). Paras drop from the skies (same).

One is Navy, one is Army. Realistically, both are light role infantry who probably think themselves slightly above the rest.

Oh and reading the OP if you don't want to do one over the other because one sounds harder, then probably you have some growing up to do before you attempt either. Just saying...
 
Rroff said:
The main difference will be the type of scenario they will be deployed for tho these days there is a lot of overlap.

I once spent awhile working alongside some guys from 1 para and they were pretty hardcore - I would say the paras are trained to survive in cold/mountainous environments just as well tho probably less emphasis on watery areas. No doubt the marines are tough to get into tho I know a guy who was hard as ****, fitness purist, determined, absolutely level headed under pressure, etc. and he didn't make it (couldn't hack it) and ended up in regular army.
Click to expand...

Agreed I know a lad who was an absolute tank but pulled up on his last run for marines selection 6 miles in, said he thought his chest was gona explode. He ended up joining a vanilla regiment and is on his 3rd tour in Afghanistan having already done 1 tour there and 1 in Iraq
 
I know a few (ex)Paras and a few (ex)Marines. The Paras tell me the Paras are the hardest. The Marines tell me the Marines are the hardest. It should be obvious that both are double hard, and frankly will be equal in terms of what they demand from you - i.e. absolutely everything you've got to give and more.
 
King Damager said:
Have you considered taking into account the idea of comparing the death % rate?

Not something I'd really focus on, but might be an idea to look at...

kd
Click to expand...

I'll have a look

Rroff said:
The main difference will be the type of scenario they will be deployed for tho these days there is a lot of overlap.

I once spent awhile working alongside some guys from 1 para and they were pretty hardcore - I would say the paras are trained to survive in cold/mountainous environments just as well tho probably less emphasis on watery areas. No doubt the marines are tough to get into tho I know a guy who was hard as ****, fitness purist, determined, absolutely level headed under pressure, etc. and he didn't make it (couldn't hack it) and ended up in regular army.
Click to expand...

I already do quite a lot of running/swimming/cylcing, I'll probably have to up a notch or two before attempting to join though.

Stolly said:
Marines come from the sea (not so much these days). Paras drop from the skies (same).

One is Navy, one is Army. Realistically, both are light role infantry who probably think themselves slightly above the rest.

Oh and reading the OP if you don't want to do one over the other because one sounds harder, then probably you have some growing up to do before you attempt either. Just saying...
Click to expand...

I never said anything about which one was harder? Just if they had different styles which one I'd prefer.


Thanks for all the replies so far lads
 
Last edited:
Pick the one that feels right for you and ignore all the my regiment is bigger than your regiment blah blah blah. I have 3 cousins in the Marines who love the job but I joined the Royal Signals and became a Radio Op because its what I wanted to get from the job ... :)
 
gettothechopper said:
This reads like you have been playing too much cod
Click to expand...

Doubt it mate

All you need to know that to be in either you will need to be very very very very very fit
Click to expand...

Doubt it mate

Castiel said:
Most Marines take the Para selection just for fun...most Paras can't fill in the application. :p
Click to expand...

lol

Infam0us said:
Pick the one that feels right for you and ignore all the my regiment is bigger than your regiment blah blah blah. I have 3 cousins in the Marines who love the job but I joined the Royal Signals and became a Radio Op because its what I wanted to get from the job ... :)
Click to expand...

That's exactly it, I find the possibility of joining one of the best infantry regiments in the world to be quite exciting. I'm just trying to figure out which one would best suit me if any.
 
Last edited:
I think they still do taster weekends for both regiments if I remember. Go to your careers office and get yourself on both and see which if any you prefer.
 
By the way...I trained Navy Seals Inc st6 in several operational scenarios so that should tell you something about the relative value of comparative SF forces. Remember paras are specialist army..whereas the royal are the standard and within the Royals are specialisations such as ML2 and so on.....not to mention SBS and SAS....paras rarely join one whereas Marines join both.
 
Go to some recruitment days and see which unit suits you and what kind of role or career you want

Edit : not worked with paras but rmc blokes seemed pretty on it
 
Last edited:
gettothechopper said:
Go to some recruitment days and see which unit suits you and what kind of role or career you want rather than a who is more elite forum thread
Click to expand...

I don't think any AFCOs are open at half 12 so I thought I'd make a thread on here first to see if I could get any of my questions answered. Also not sure if read the first line but this thread is nothing about who is the most elite between the paras and the marines (and I'd say asking who is the more 'elite' between SF regiments is a totally valid question)

Anyway, I'm not trying to argue so thanks for your help
 
Last edited:
DaZe said:
I don't think any AFCOs are open at half 12 so I thought I'd make a thread on here first to see if I could get any of my questions answered. Also not sure if read the first line but this thread is nothing about who is the most elite between the paras and the marines (and I'd say asking who is the more 'elite' between SF regiments is a totally valid question)

thanks for your help anyway
Click to expand...

My point is that out of all the important questions you should be asking, for such a massive long term life changing decision you seem focused on just which sf unit is cooler

But yeah not arguing - its sbs by the way lol
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom