| 1er Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine | |
|---|---|
Regimental insigne |
|
| Active | 1941- |
| Country | France |
| Branch | Armée de Terre |
| Type | Special Forces |
| Role | Special Operations Counter Terrorism |
| Size | One regiment |
| Part of | Troupes de marine / Army Special Forces Brigade |
| Garrison/HQ | Bayonne, France |
| Motto | Qui Ose Gagne (Who Dares Wins) |
| Anniversaries | Saint-Michel Day |
| Engagements | World War II First Indochina War Operation Desert Storm Operation Enduring Freedom |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Colonel Vidaud |
| Insignia | |
| Beret badge of the 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment | |
| Abbreviation | 1er RPIMa |
The 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (French: 1er Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine, 1er RPIMa) is one of three regiments in the French Army Special Forces Brigade. The regiment is based at the local citadel in Bayonne. Unit personnel have operated all over the world.
Contents |
The origins of 1er RPIMa date back to the Second World War. The Regiment was first formed as the 1ère Compagnie d’Infanterie de l’Air in Britain, redesignated 1ère Compagnie de Chasseurs Parachutistes (1e CCP) under Captain Georges Bergé. It consisted of approximately 50 paratroopers. They were subsequently transferred to David Stirling's Special Air Service for use in the North African campaign; while assigned to this unit, they undertook successful operations in Africa, Crete, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Today, this SAS heritage is still noticeable, specifically in regards to the regimental insignia and the regimental motto "Qui Ose Gagne" (Who Dares Wins). After completing the SAS training course they became known as the French Squadron SAS. The regiment is the heir to the two Free French Special Air Service (SAS) regiments: 3 SAS (3e RCP) and 4 SAS (2e RCP). On 1 October 1945, 3 and 4 SAS were handed over to the French Army. The regiment was restructured upon returning from Indochina and acted as training depot for the colonial parachute force during the Algerian War. It remained in this role until 1974 when it became a Special forces regiment.
Due to its long history with the British Special Air Service much of the 1er RPIMa core aspects are based upon the British SAS. Each company specialises in a particular area such as maritime, air ops/pathfinder, mobility.
RAPAS, or Recherche Aéroportée et Actions Spécialisées, translates as Airborne Reconnaissance and Special Action. There is also one Command and Logistics Company.
Officers and NCOs joining the regiment have to attend the same selection and training as enlisted personnel.
Enlisted: Each soldier enlisted in the French Army can try to join 1er RPIMA, between 1 and 3 years of active duty, if they are medically OK (airborne agreement).
First step is a profile selection: Candidates will be selected regarding unit requirements and personal file (e.g : if the regiment needs some mountain specialists, they will ask for more mountain troopers to come for the selection). Candidates selected must attend the two weeks basic airborne training prior the SF training, for those who are not already enlisted in an airborne regiment.
Second step of selection is "adaptation training" and "stage commando" lasting twelve weeks. Candidates must be above average to continue the training. Most cases of failure and RTU occur during this phase.
Last step of selection is the "stage CTE RAPAS" lasting six months. After completion of this "stage", candidates are fully assigned to the regiment as special force soldier. They will attend additional training to become specialists (bodyguards, pathfinders, etc)