Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Aircrew Forums > Military Aviation
Reload this Page >

Are the RAF Regiment an "elite" unit?

Wikiposts
Search
Military Aviation A forum for the professionals who fly military hardware. Also for the backroom boys and girls who support the flying and maintain the equipment, and without whom nothing would ever leave the ground. All armies, navies and air forces of the world equally welcome here.

Are the RAF Regiment an "elite" unit?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 16th Apr 2009, 22:24
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: dasw
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Are the RAF Regiment an "elite" unit?

A couple of times this week, I have been drawn into conversations about rock apes.

Some people seem to think that they are an elite unit, though I would have to take the opposite opinion. The Marines and the Paras are elite units, their training is far more substantial than that of the Regiment.

Also, now that the RA run rapier, the RAF Regiment just do the basics of airfield security, aside from II Sqn.

They are good professionals, and well respected by members of the RAF (apart from when it is CCS time) and other services, but I don't think they are an "elite" force. What do you think?
Donlado is offline  
Old 16th Apr 2009, 22:29
  #2 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Here we go..................
TheWizard is offline  
Old 16th Apr 2009, 22:30
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Well, Lincolnshire
Age: 69
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
3 posts. All of which originated on E-Goat.

OK, What's the story?
taxydual is offline  
Old 16th Apr 2009, 23:58
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: 2 m South of Radstock VRP
Posts: 2,042
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Of course they are!

GOLF_BRAVO_ZULU is offline  
Old 17th Apr 2009, 05:31
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: in my combat underpants
Age: 53
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
This has been done to death on ARRSE as well as everywhere else people take the proverbial. I call troll and I claim my £5.
Mr C Hinecap is offline  
Old 17th Apr 2009, 06:05
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 1,771
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
About as 'Elite' as myself ( not even in the RAF, just flown with them a lot ) armed with a hoover.
Double Zero is offline  
Old 17th Apr 2009, 06:41
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Nomadic
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Definition required

THe Iraqi Republican Guard were referred in the press as "ELITE" almost every time they were mentioned during GW-1. but alas they were not.....
L J R is offline  
Old 17th Apr 2009, 07:23
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Southern UK
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
No, I wouldn't say elite, but certainly specialised. What you call "the basics of airfield security" I'd call "Force Protection for the Air Component" - and they're very, very good at it.
Occasional Aviator is offline  
Old 17th Apr 2009, 07:43
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think you need to define "elite"; my opinion is that in comparison to the SAS/SBS, no they are not elite. That said, some ex-RAF Regiment guys have moved across to serve with such units and they do have their own II Sqn guys who are a bit special in comparison to their peers; I've lived and worked with the RAF Regiment and always found them professional and competent at what they do.
Army Mover is offline  
Old 17th Apr 2009, 09:28
  #10 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Lincs
Posts: 2,307
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It's official!

RAF Regiment - RAF Careers

'The RAF Regiment is an elite fighting force .....'

TJ
TEEEJ is offline  
Old 17th Apr 2009, 09:33
  #11 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Hampshire
Age: 54
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Donaldo, been done to death all over the mil web community. Usually by under-acheivers from the green fraternal community, seeking to start what will become the usual slagging match.

'Basics of airfield security' - care to elaborate, in your expert opinion?.....perhaps you have failed to grasp that there is no such thing in a situation the tolerates no failure, as a lapse in airfield security (domination of the GDA), could ultimately lead to a mass casualty event.

99% of Rocks do not consider themselves elite, those that do are somewhere between laudibly proud of the corps to deranged chiselers.

Per Ardua
johnnypaveway is offline  
Old 17th Apr 2009, 09:35
  #12 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Trap 3
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts


Troll.
anita gofradump is offline  
Old 17th Apr 2009, 12:12
  #13 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Detroit MI
Age: 66
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ahhh... But they are the RAF's only, truly, all-weather fighters...



I know, I know... I'm a deranged chiseler who is laudably proud of the Corps who, at times, can be a Total Dickwad...
Airborne Aircrew is offline  
Old 17th Apr 2009, 12:26
  #14 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Earth
Age: 54
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
The same as any other infantry trained regiment.

The Paras and Marines seen to have the monopoly on the Elite status but in Afganistan the other Line Infantry Regiments are doing the same job. So why are those two classed as Elite.
Heliringer is offline  
Old 17th Apr 2009, 12:50
  #15 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Norn Iron
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Official Recognition of UKSF

By 'elite', i'm wondering if you mean 'special'. The UKSF community uses tiers to define their level of elite(ness).

Tier 1 - SAS/SBS
Tier 2 - Royal Marines
Tier 3 - Parachute Regt & RAF Regt
Tier 4 - Any other man/woman dressed in Green... or Desert Camo in this day and age.
Tier 5 - NAFFI staff

Hope this helps, btw Tier 5 is a falsehood!
IT
Irish Tempest is offline  
Old 17th Apr 2009, 15:47
  #16 (permalink)  
NDW
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: England
Age: 32
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Agreed with Irish Tempest.

I find myself to say the Royal Marines are the 'elite' - but thats coming from me with a ex - marine dad and a marine brother.
The UKSF - no doubt about it - ELITE
NDW is offline  
Old 17th Apr 2009, 16:03
  #17 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Sussex
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'v heard a saying -

When Marines come across a problem, they go around it.......
When Paras come across a problem, they smash the ****er out the way!

I have such massive respect for the Infantry as a whole, but Paras and Marines are something speical - both level in my eyes.

I used to take the piss out of the Regt, but after seeing what they do, I really do respect what they do, its a different job to the Marines&Paras, but equaly important.
thedonnmeister is offline  
Old 17th Apr 2009, 18:47
  #18 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Taxydual,

3 posts. All of which originated on E-Goat.

OK, What's the story?
Here's how it works:
1. Register new username on PPrune
2. Cut and paste plausible threads from another website to artificially boost post count.
3. Probationary status eventually revoked and posts can now be seen without being vetted by a moderator.
4. Bombard board with spam threads for herbal viagra, Nigerian gold reserves, organ upsizing etc.
5. Get banned. Goto 1 with new username.
Torque Tonight is offline  
Old 17th Apr 2009, 19:06
  #19 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
Posts: 33,077
Received 2,942 Likes on 1,253 Posts
We had a Regiment Chappie as a Bowser driver, nice lad and still rates as the only person I ever knew who managed to loose the Bowser keys in would you believe it, the Bowsers tank..... Ahh we sat up there for hours with locking wire shaped with a fishing hook on the end of it fishing for the keys he managed to drop in there.

NutLoose is offline  
Old 17th Apr 2009, 19:25
  #20 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Well, Lincolnshire
Age: 69
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for that TT.

Oh, about the 'organ upsizing'. I'll vote for that. When can I expect the call?

taxydual is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.