QARANC AND ATTEMPTING P COY - PART TWO by Rod Eldridge

Part one described how I passed pre para, also known as "beat up"!  If successful at regimental level pre para, you then go to Catterick for the all arms Parachute Company "P Coy".  Part two is all about attempting P Company.

It was only a few days after passing pre para and still feeling sore, it was off to a bleak Wathgill Camp N Yorkshire with 5 other 16 CSMR unit members.  This would be our home (house of pain) for the next 3.5 weeks. 

As with all things Army it was up at a ridiculous o’clock, eat a hearty breakfast, kit up, collect weapons and then get bussed to Vimy Barracks. It was November 2003, it was cold, wet, and foggy! Just lovely for doing extreme constant phys! The idea was to be the grey man, which wasn’t difficult as I had grey hair, but being the most senior rank and given the number 1 to write in white on my lightweights it made me stick out rather more than I wanted. 

Day one is a full-on assessment/screening with a BFT which must be completed under 8.30 mins, the high air assault course trainasium and lastly 8 (very quick) mile tab. We numbered 106 at the start we were down to 76 after day one! As an officer you are always pushed to back at the start of events, whilst not proud of myself, but being so keen to pass I pushed many a body out of my way to ensure I made the cut. I had made it and so I was officially on the course, every day we had to undergo at 2 least and sometimes three grueling training events, including, 10 milers, 20 miles runs and tabs, CFT, Stretcher races, log runs, gym work, swimming tests, hill reps, day, and night nav exercises, sections attacks, assault courses and a steeplechase. Over time we were eventually reduced to 42 with only one other 16 CSMR colleague remaining with me. We were given presentations to do, and if we were picked up on our kit, weapons or not having totally filled water bottles we given show parades “show cleans” most evening just to keep them tempo of pressure. Evenings were about kit prep and personal admin, treating blisters, aches, and pains etc. being the “medic”, I was always asked for advice, treatment, and medications if appropriate. It struck me to what lengths folk would go to keep going and pass P Coy, even if they were in severe pain or had suspected stress fractures, they wanted to medicate up and keep going this was not what I couldn’t endorse. It was better to stop, recover and try again. I recall on 26th November which was my 40th birthday, we did a ten-miler tab, with weight and weapons to the aptly named Land of Nod! We stooped at a hill and were made to run up and down the hill 20 times, at the end when we reached the bottom. We were marching on the spot when my name was called out congratulating me on reaching my 40th birthday and I was made to do another rep of the hill whist the rest of squad were kept marching on the spot whilst singing happy birthday Maj Eldridge (airborne humour).  Not one of my best birthdays presents but one I’ll never forget!

So having endured 2.5 weeks of thrashing you are entering into test week, one more week of hell that includes eight tests and it’s done. Steeple chase, CFT, stretcher race, Log race, 10 miler quick tab under 1.50 hr, 20 miler, milling and trainasium. You must get 45 points to pass as I recall some events are worth five point and some 10 points, the bottom line is it’s best not to fail anything. I struggled in the milling I was pitched against a very large and muscular Welsh Sapper who was looking forward beating up an officer. I gave as good as I could knocking him down and he returned with the same, apart from the bout being stopped to due to my use of inappropriate language deemed unbecoming of an officer when over we drew, so it was 5 points in the bag much better than losing and having no points at all. The other events whilst tough were OK, I didn’t mind the infamous log race, it was extremely tough, but the stretcher race was horrendous, keeping the heavy stretcher above your shoulder whilst moving at pace with little respite when swapping out, nearly caused me to quit but a little voice said no way you have come too far, and this was the final event. The P Coy CSM gave words of encouragement! and pushed me down the last hill and it was done.

I passed all the events and thought I’ve had made it, but it was most reassuring during the pass-fail parade that afternoon, when I was called to attention on hearing my number, No 1, I stood to attention and I replied yelling out :539939 Major R Eldridge QARANC 16 CSMR, a most welcome reply said “pass”. I was so relieved and elated it was hard to stand at attention whilst they read out the other 36 passes and 3 stand up fails.  The latter are cruel because you have made it to the end having endured so much, but didn’t quite meet the standard to undergo parachute training and join airborne forces.

I was absolutely chuffed, but hadn’t given too much thought to parachuting, I’m not keen on heights and it wasn’t easy but once you’ve passed P Coy you will do the jumps. I was caught off guard when returning to the unit as I was greeted like a  hero for my achievement. Once back from P Coy I could legitimately wear a parachute smock, so I made a B line for the QMs clothing store. You are called a penguin until you get your wings, so I went to Brize ASAP for the next jumps course. I did some jumps with recently qualified SAS which again was interesting as they still have to undergo the basic parachute course.

This was my first all arms course and it gave so much more than a badge and the meagre para pay, I met and trained with other arms and services and gained insights into their roles, some of these I worked with back at brigade and later on when deployed. So, for me it was a change to day to day running of a DCMH or MH Nursing and it helped me feel included and others who were badged felt they could approach me, this had a definite impact clinically as we saw an increase in referrals. The doubters are for me those who know deep down they are not able to pass this formidable and arduous course and it’s their way to rationalise this realisation. So, for me yes it was worth it on my levels and it’s an important achievement in my life.


Lt Col (Rtd)  Rodney Eldridge 

QARANC AND PRE PARA COURSE- PART ONE by Rod Eldridge

 

PART ONE

Why do Pegasus Company (P Coy)?  And if successful why then jump out of a perfectly serviceable aircraft? 

It’s like most worthwhile challenges it’s because it’s there!  And it is indeed worthwhile, for the doubters the following may offer some insight to support my personal assertions. 

When I joined the Army in 1986, I became extremely fit in basic training, gaining the best recruit and best recruit PT awards on passing out. 23 Parachute Field Ambulance (PFA) came on a visit (sneaky recruiting I thought) to Keogh Bks and tried very hard to coax me into their unit. I was a qualified RMN and destined for QEMH, and as there was no established role for me at 23 PFA, I’d be employed as a CMT 3 painting boxes and erecting tents.  Not for me, as I wanted to nurse and join my brother Malcolm who was then a Serving Captain in the RAMC at the QEMH in Woolwich.

This experience and subsequent meetings with 23 PFA, mainly at sports competitions and events, not only planted a seed but further sparked a curiosity in these fit, capable, and confident guys.  Once dual qualified I subsequently commissioned and I then sought to join 23 PFA as Training Officer.  I applied and submitted numerous posting preferences, but records came back with some reason why it was not possible at this stage of my career.  There was a sense at the time that being a QA serving in the field army was frowned upon and not the best career move, thankfully this is no longer the case.  My service career path had very much leaned to the mental health setting rather than general nursing. Whilst I never gave up on the idea of doing P Coy, I got on with my mental health nursing. 

It was when attached to 23 PFA on operations in KOSOVO in 1999 and then then 16 CSMR during the Iraq war in 2003 I joined in with the unit PT and extracurricular training and not only did I keep up, but often beat some of the fit guys. They said I should do P Coy, I said I wanted to but my current posting and likely future appointments had no requirement for a RMN military Parachutist.

It all changed when posted to 16 CSMR Colchester in 2002 the home of 16 AA BDE and on the held strength with a parachutist PID.  The only issue was, I was 39 yrs of age and the cut off for volunteering and attempting P Coy was 35 yrs of age. I was given dispensation by the CO and was passed medically fit. So this was it, I had finally got the chance to earn my wings or BBC! (Blue Badge of Courage). I always believed you should be trained for your role, and it seemed logical to attempt and pass P Coy if you were in an airborne unit. I wanted to lead by example, but also fancied the personal challenge.

I began training in earnest with watching my diet, stopping drinking, and planned 3 months of gradually increasing exercise in preparation for the Pre Para course to be held in Aldershot. I worked on speed, endurance and carrying weight in my bergen etc. I did something every day; sprints, hill repetitions, long runs, long marches, gym work and swimming. This prepared me well and I passed Pre Para without difficulty. I was however the butt of many jokes being the old timer, but those much younger than me were challenged not only physically, in that I kept up with and on occasions beat them on events, but also psychologically, thinking I can’t let a crusty old Major (nurse) beat me. Our CO loved it and used my age as an example to many who had sat on the fence with attempting P Coy.

Look out for part two next week and attempting P Coy!

Lt Col (Rtd)  Rod Eldridge