P company
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Pegasus Company, commonly abbreviated to P Coy, is a training and selection organisation based at the Infantry Training Centre, Catterick, North Yorkshire. P Coy run pre-parachute selection courses for trainees in the Parachute Regiment, all-arms candidates for parachute training (Regular and Territorial). P Coy is also responsible for delivery of the TA Combat Infantrymans Course for candidates for the TA Parachute Battalion, 4 Para.
Pre-parachute selection must be undertaken by all army candidates for parachute training who have not already undergone a strenuous form of training, such as Royal Marines or UK Special Forces.
Training in P Coy culminates in a series of eight tests undertaken over one week.For recruits directly joining the Parachute Regiment, the tests are attempted at week 20 of training, All Arms candidates attempt the tests after 2 and a half weeks of build-up training.
Candidates passing the course can then be loaded onto the Basic Parachute Course at RAF Brize Norton.
Contents |
[edit] The 8 Tests
[edit] 10 miler
A 10 mile march conducted as a squad over undulating terrain. Each candidate carries a 35lb bergen and a rifle. The march is currently to be completed in 1 hour 50 minutes (TA candidates have 2 hours).
[edit] Trainasium
A unique assault course set several metres above the ground, to test a candidates' determination and ability to overcome fear. This is the only event which is a straight pass or fail; all the other events are scored. The total score required to pass is known only to the P Coy staff.
[edit] Log Race
A team event, where 8 men carry a log (a telegraph pole) weighing 60kg over 1.9 miles of undulating terrain. This is reckoned to be one of the hardest events.
[edit] 2 Mile March
An individual effort over 2 miles of undulating terrain, carrying a 35lb bergan (not including water), rifle, combat jacket, and helmet. Regular candidates have 18 minutes, TA candidates have 19 minutes to complete the run.
[edit] Steeplechase
A 1.8 mile cross-country run, followed by an assault course. Candidates are under a time limit to complete the event.
[edit] Milling
In this event, candidates are paired with another candidate of similar size and build, and have 60 seconds to demonstrate 'controlled physical aggression' in a milling contest, similar to boxing, except neither winning or losing, nor skill are pre-requisites of passing; candidates are instead scored on determination, and blocking and dodging results in points being deducted. Candidates now wear head protection, and boxing gloves.
[edit] Endurance March
A 20 mile march as a squad over a 20 mile course. Candidates are carrying a 35lb bergen and a rifle; the march must be completed in 4 and a half hours. TA candidates do not participate in this event, due to their reduced opportunity to prepare for the course.>
[edit] Stretcher Race
Candidates are divided into teams of 16 men, and have to carry a 175lb stretcher over a distance of 5 miles, each individual candidate wearing webbing and a helmet. No more that 4 candidates carry the stretcher at any given time, swapping round at regular intevals so that all candidates carry the stretcher for a certain distance.