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?

Here we go..................

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

OK, What's the story?

Of course they are!

http://i15.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/a2/6a/e55d_1.JPG

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.

About as 'Elite' as myself ( not even in the RAF, just flown with them a lot ) armed with a hoover.

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.....

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.

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.

It's official!

RAF Regiment - RAF Careers

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

TJ

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

http://www.penny-arcade.com/docs/internetdickwad.jpg

Troll.

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...:}

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.

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:ok:

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 :ok:

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.

Taxydual,

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.

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.

:}

Thanks for that TT.

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

:ok::ok: