Nick0021
RM and Paras are in truth light infantry with a distinct training that is rewarded with a cap badge and beret. Bear in mind that there are plenty of green and red berets worn by RE, RA etc who have passed the all arms course (Marines) and P Coy and PTS (Para). Some Paras do have training and skills in specialist recce, and
SFSG is based on the former 1PARA. Neither RM nor Paras are SF - the only SF are 21/22/23 and SBS, though the boys at Poole are of course badged RM, and can only join after RM service, unlike the boys in beige, who actively draw from RAFR, RM and all Army cap badges.
The Paras' specialist skills in air mobility are not found in a general line infantry regiment, likewise the Marines' skills in amphibious landings. It could be argued that with the removal of county infantry regiments the esprit de corps of the red/green berets is now much stronger than most other regiments, but then perhaps you've not seen the Jocks/Guards in action
To answer your question - in the right environment with the correct support, the Paras are superb, as are the RM. I'm glad they are on our side
Flipster - jumping out of the aircraft is the easy bit in my experience. The hard bit was .....
