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Parachutist Reconnaissance

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Parachutist Reconnaissance Any

Combat

The Pathfinder Group is home to some of the Army’s most skilled combat soldiers as well as experts in trades such as communications and engineering. As an airborne unit, it specialises in using aircraft or parachute drops to get behind enemy lines, from where it gathers intelligence or uses its speed and firepower in lightning-fast attacks.

Before you can do this role you should have done one of the roles shown at the bottom of this page.

Are you right for this role?

You should be:

Sex: Male
Regular Army Age: N/A - N/A years

You should have:

No formal qualifications required

You should like:

Taking risks and feeling the adrenaline
Outdoor activities
Working outside
Responsibility and decision-making
Photography
Target or game shooting
Computing and technology

You should be interested or have experience in:

Combat
Investigation & Research
Telecommunication

All in a day's work

Parachutist Reconnaissance soldiers deploying into action

Parachutist Reconnaissance soldiers deploying into action

Parachutists don't just enter warzones from the air

A Parachutist Reconnaissance soldier can spend hours watching targets and monitoring their movements

Parachutist Reconnaissance troops work in small, close-knit teams

This Parachutist Reconnaissance soldier is also a trained sniper

Army Snipers use anything they can find to camouflage themselves from the enemy
A Parachutist Reconnaissance soldier opens fire on a realistic training exercise

A Parachutist Reconnaissance soldiers uses pair of powerful binoculars on operations

Regular
Army

Regular Army

Training

You can join the Pathfinders from any unit in the Army. You need to complete the pre-parachute selection course and a parachute jump course. This qualifies you to wear the famous para wings and beret. You also need to meet the Pathfinders’ entry requirements. It’s a physically and mentally tough process but the reward is an exciting, hands-on role.

Skills you can learn

Pathfinders work in small, highly independent teams. This means learning how to make decisions under pressure and work closely with other soldiers, who each bring something different to the team. Pathfinder training develops the soldiering skills you learned when you first joined the Army, and you also learn a range of different parachuting techniques.

Move up the ranks

Paratrooper

At this level, you get a good rate of pay, free healthcare, and subsidised food and board. You’re part of a team that’s required to deliver operational success, so you focus on using your skills. Each promotion brings extra pay and soon you can sit a course that qualifies you for promotion.
Lance Corporal

Now you’ve been promoted, you get more responsibility. You take charge of a four-man fire team. It’s up to you to make sure they work as an effective unit and that everyone has the skills they need. You’re also the second-in-command of an eight-man unit called a section.
Corporal

The next step is to go on a course to develop leadership skills so you can take charge of your own section. This is made up of two fire teams. With help from your Lance Corporal, you keep your section trained and ready for action, and deal with any training, operational and personnel issues.