Cheekychimp.
We are rambling a bit between us.
Shall we try to pin some things down?
The thread started about an RAF regiment special forces medal. Some here wonder if the rocks are special forces. I say they arent, and the tier system goes with that. Later you mention 2 sqn and pre para. I'm more than happy to say 2 sqn are very very good, they are the creme of the creme but again, just like the paras they aren't special forces. While some aspects of P company and pre para are identical it could be said that the differences are what make P company not only the tougher course, but also seperates it from other army infantry courses (bergens instead of webbing, milling and tranasium etc).
While I dont think I've ever heard a para say rocks are their equals they are less scathing about 2 sqn, I'd also add that from my point of view I wouldnt see an advantage for pre para students to wear bergens on runs as they have a different role.
As for hearing the big three, I'm afraid I've heard it quite a bit. With your years of service (generalising here) you are too old to wan't to use the phrase, and with a specialist role you don't need to pretend anything.
With your experience of working with the army you may well have heard young soldiers say things that they may not say in front of their peers or to other soldiers.
I'm very much an armchair General these days and meet service personnel in that capacity. I only wish you could have been with me on a few occasions and heard various young rocks telling tales of daring do and the big three.
You would be cringing too
*
Lets not pretend though that a rock JTAC is the same as an 18 year old gunner anymore than a time served chap from 4/73 is the same as an 18 year old artillery lad fresh from depot!
*I've met lots of army commandos and special types too, perhaps they just wore ordinary beret badges to blend in
