0:00:08 > 0:00:12Of all the forces who restored to Britain its property and its
0:00:12 > 0:00:14interest in the Falkland Islands,
0:00:14 > 0:00:16none fought with greater bravery
0:00:16 > 0:00:19than the officers and men of the Parachute Regiment.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28CHEERING
0:00:32 > 0:00:37Their most celebrated victory came at Goose Green where the 600 men
0:00:37 > 0:00:39of the 2nd Battalion defeated and
0:00:39 > 0:00:44took prisoner an opposition which outnumbered them by almost 3 to 1.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47The exploit recalled World War II
0:00:47 > 0:00:51when the Germans named them the Red Devils.
0:00:52 > 0:00:57After an astonishing 50-mile battle march, the 3rd Battalion found the
0:00:58 > 0:01:02strength to scale and capture Mount Longdon with bullet and bayonet.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05As the Argentinians laid down their arms,
0:01:05 > 0:01:07the Paras were first into Stanley.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09Only then did they calculate
0:01:09 > 0:01:13the scale of the victory and what it had cost.
0:01:15 > 0:01:20Lieutenant Colonel Jones, Captain Woods, Captain Dent,
0:01:20 > 0:01:23Lieutenant Barry.
0:01:23 > 0:01:29The price, 40 dead out of 1200, 95 wounded,
0:01:29 > 0:01:31inmilitary terms a triumph.
0:01:31 > 0:01:36The reward, the only two VCs of the campaign, 20 other gallantry medals,
0:01:36 > 0:01:40and 40 Mentioned In Despatches, including the padre.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42Ashes to ashes,
0:01:42 > 0:01:45dust to dust.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49Yet none of them had been to war before.
0:01:55 > 0:02:00So who are these men and boys in red berets and what are they made of?
0:02:03 > 0:02:06This series of films charts the training of The Paras
0:02:06 > 0:02:11who once more have returned home to Aldershot as heroes to be saluted
0:02:11 > 0:02:12by their Colonel in Chief.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17I wasn't at all surprised that they did achieve what
0:02:17 > 0:02:19they achieved out there because they're that sort of person.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22They were so utterly determined
0:02:22 > 0:02:27to give a good account of themselves and to show that they were
0:02:27 > 0:02:30the best, because I know that's what they think they are.
0:02:30 > 0:02:35They are an extraordinary bunch of people the Parachute Regiment, they
0:02:35 > 0:02:41have a peculiar kind of determination and dedication and they
0:02:41 > 0:02:45really believe in their regiment and in themselves
0:02:45 > 0:02:48and in the fact that they are a peculiar kind of elite.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51MARCHING MUSIC
0:03:38 > 0:03:42At 07:15 hours on January 11, long before the Falklands
0:03:42 > 0:03:47became a factor, Aldershot's newest recruits arrive to face the toughest
0:03:47 > 0:03:49Army training outside the SAS.
0:03:51 > 0:03:56Two-thirds would fail, indeed of the first three through the barrier
0:03:56 > 0:03:59only one would last the course.
0:03:59 > 0:04:00OK, what's your name?
0:04:00 > 0:04:02- Melvin. - Melvin?
0:04:02 > 0:04:05Alistair Melvin, 19, two O-levels, apprentice woodcutter.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08Have you brought a photograph?
0:04:08 > 0:04:09- No. - OK, put your kit on the minibus,
0:04:10 > 0:04:11go into the photograph booth outside
0:04:11 > 0:04:15and get your photograph taken, and then get back in the minibus.
0:04:15 > 0:04:16Clark.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20- Clark. - Lee Clark, 18, five CSEs, one
0:04:20 > 0:04:23O-level in music, unemployed.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25Chard.
0:04:25 > 0:04:31Mark Chard, 18, four CSEs, ex-dispatch rider.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34Young men seeking a new image.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42After interviews and tests at local recruiting offices and
0:04:42 > 0:04:47selection centres, 41 young men aged between 17 and 24 had been accepted
0:04:47 > 0:04:50by the Army as potential soldiers of
0:04:50 > 0:04:54the Parachute Regiment, training as 480 Platoon.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05There's no shortage of volunteers. In Britain's bleak midwinter
0:05:05 > 0:05:08more than half these lads had come in from the dole.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12The welcome too was cool and concrete,
0:05:12 > 0:05:15and although the name of their barrack block hinted at
0:05:15 > 0:05:19heroic endeavour, those who imagined they were entering
0:05:19 > 0:05:22a brave new world of glamour were plumb wrong.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27OK, who have we got?
0:05:27 > 0:05:30Woodcock.
0:05:30 > 0:05:31Woodcock Sean, all right.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35- Melvin. - Melvin. Just quickly get
0:05:35 > 0:05:37out the documentation you were given,
0:05:37 > 0:05:39or told to appear with, and then
0:05:39 > 0:05:42put your suitcases in the locker itself and then we'll start getting
0:05:42 > 0:05:45you away and getting you through the necessary interviews.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50- Any questions? - What made me join the army?
0:05:50 > 0:05:52I wanted to join the army when I left school
0:05:52 > 0:05:56but my parents were against that, me joining the Army,
0:05:56 > 0:05:58but after a while doing several jobs,
0:05:58 > 0:06:01I used to work down Desford Pit, it just got on my nerves.
0:06:01 > 0:06:06I went on the dole for a bit then I thought I'd go for the Army,
0:06:06 > 0:06:10but I got a job after I applied for the army, but I still chose the Army.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12- Why? - It's a good career,
0:06:12 > 0:06:13it's a chance to travel, a chance
0:06:13 > 0:06:16to do something different, it's not just an ordinary job is it?
0:06:26 > 0:06:29KNOCK ON DOOR Come in.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33Just close the door, Fleming, and sit on that chair just for a moment.
0:06:34 > 0:06:35What made you leave Scotland
0:06:35 > 0:06:38and come down here to join the Parachute Regiment?
0:06:38 > 0:06:40I always considered the Parachute Regiment the best
0:06:40 > 0:06:42as I used to be in the cadets when I was a young lad,
0:06:42 > 0:06:45so I thought I'd come down and give it a good hard try.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47Now the discipline,
0:06:47 > 0:06:50what do you reckon your attitude's going to be to the discipline here?
0:06:50 > 0:06:52Pretty good, sir, I've worked with the Regulars and I
0:06:52 > 0:06:55kept to their discipline so I think I should be pretty good on it.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Good. In the barrack room you're going to be living with
0:06:58 > 0:07:0040 other guys, split up into rooms of four generally,
0:07:01 > 0:07:03and so you're all going to be mucking in together.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05And the other thing of course you need to do
0:07:05 > 0:07:08is to look after yourself, keep yourself clean
0:07:08 > 0:07:10and tidy, get your beds made, keep your locker clean and tidy
0:07:10 > 0:07:12and the floors done, all that sort of stuff.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15Although they have now made their own beds,
0:07:15 > 0:07:17they don't have to lie on them.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21For one week only, recruits may leave if and when they wish.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24Only the Paras and the Guards, because of their peculiar
0:07:24 > 0:07:27and demanding requirements, offer this facility.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30You weren't given a number?
0:07:30 > 0:07:31By gum, lad, name again?
0:07:31 > 0:07:33- Chard. - Chard...
0:07:33 > 0:07:36Right I'll give you your Army number.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Write it down and imprint it on your mind for evermore.
0:07:41 > 0:07:46- 24611752. - Yes.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55What are you laughing about?
0:07:55 > 0:07:58- The haircut. - Do you think it looks good?
0:07:58 > 0:07:59It's all right, it's for a reason,
0:07:59 > 0:08:01isn't it, if I'm running about 10 miles or
0:08:01 > 0:08:04something and it gets all sweaty and goes in my eyes, it's best as it is.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06- Just feels a bit cold. - It does in this weather.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08- Yes. - Why did you join?
0:08:08 > 0:08:11Why have I joined? It's an ambition, I've wanted to do it for a long time
0:08:11 > 0:08:13and I like something if it's difficult for me to do.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16My name is Capt Baird,
0:08:16 > 0:08:21and I'll be your platoon commander for the next six months.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24I'd also like to introduce to you the rest of the platoon staff
0:08:24 > 0:08:28for those of you who don't actually know them - Sergeant Riley.
0:08:30 > 0:08:36From your left, Cpl Priestly, Cpl Baker, Cpl Slater,
0:08:36 > 0:08:38Cpl Pollard, and Cpl Lydon.
0:08:38 > 0:08:43From now on, whenever you address me, you will call me "Sir".
0:08:43 > 0:08:48Whenever you address Sgt Riley you will call him "Sergeant".
0:08:48 > 0:08:53You will call each of the section commanders "Corporal", not "Corp"
0:08:53 > 0:08:57or any other thing that you might have heard on the films, "Corporal"
0:08:57 > 0:08:59is that clear?
0:08:59 > 0:09:04OK. When you speak to any of us you will always stand to attention
0:09:04 > 0:09:09not just wander up casually, hands on hips.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11You will stand to attention,
0:09:11 > 0:09:14and you will be taught how to stand to attention later this week.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18Left, right, left, right, left, right, left.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25Let's try a 57.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29First contact with that famous or notorious piece of headgear
0:09:29 > 0:09:31is brief and tantalising.
0:09:40 > 0:09:4356.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46They sign for it but don't dare wear it.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49When they have completed four weeks' basic training,
0:09:49 > 0:09:51they'll wear it, but still on sufferance.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54Only after the Regimental Depot has spent six months
0:09:55 > 0:09:58and £9,000 training them and they've been posted
0:09:58 > 0:10:00to their battalions, 1, 2, or 3 Para,
0:10:00 > 0:10:05will the red beret sit securely on their heads, IF it still fits.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12Meanwhile, they concentrate on more mundane issues -
0:10:12 > 0:10:14socks wool, pairs three.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18Puttees short, pairs two. Rags sweat, two.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20Webbing strap, it's part of your belt.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23For many, the heaviest responsibility of their lives so far
0:10:24 > 0:10:27is signing for equipment worth £870.88.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33The equipment and the basic routine would be hauntingly familiar
0:10:33 > 0:10:34to their grandfathers.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38Strip off here, get trousers down.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41Can you strip off to your underpants, lads,
0:10:41 > 0:10:43before you go in to the Doc?
0:10:43 > 0:10:44Deep breath in...
0:10:44 > 0:10:48and out, deep breath in and out.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50Can you just pull your pants down.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53Gave a cough...
0:10:53 > 0:10:55and again.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58You had a few problems with the jabs?
0:10:58 > 0:11:00LAUGHTER IN BACKGROUND
0:11:00 > 0:11:02- Four problems. - What were they?
0:11:02 > 0:11:05They went to take blood out
0:11:05 > 0:11:08and they started sucking with the syringe and none came out
0:11:08 > 0:11:11so he took it out and tried somewhere else and the same happened again.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14So he tried somewhere else, same happened again, so in the end
0:11:14 > 0:11:19the captain doctor came over, she stuck it and managed to get some out.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22How do you account for this lack of blood in your arms?
0:11:22 > 0:11:24I've no idea.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27My name's Lucy, remember that.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31I'm your company sergeant major and I'm responsible directly
0:11:31 > 0:11:34to the commanding officer for discipline and drill.
0:11:34 > 0:11:40I liken this regiment to a Dr Barnardo's Home for men,
0:11:40 > 0:11:43and you're all orphans, OK.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47You're young lads, you've just left home and we understand the problems,
0:11:47 > 0:11:52but buggery, thuggery, theft, incest, rape, we've heard it all
0:11:52 > 0:11:56and it doesn't embarrass or surprise us.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58I want to talk about this town now.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01Don't try and impress the civil population,
0:12:01 > 0:12:03they want nothing to do with you.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05You stick out like a bulldog's bollocks as it is,
0:12:05 > 0:12:09so leave the civilian population alone and they will leave you alone.
0:12:09 > 0:12:15Your dress, we realise you come from every walk of life but your staff,
0:12:15 > 0:12:19make no mistakes about it, will censure your dress.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22Right, fasten your top left-hand pocket, Chard.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25Whenever you come out, just a quick look in the mirror
0:12:25 > 0:12:27before you come out on parade just to check your dress.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30So those of you who in civil life
0:12:30 > 0:12:34walk about with earrings and safety pins through your snotters,
0:12:34 > 0:12:38and vomit-stained desert wellies and bloodstained shirts, forget about it.
0:12:38 > 0:12:43The thing not to forget is exactly who is in charge.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47Gentlemen, my name is Major Roberts, I am your Company Commander.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50Everybody's been telling you they're your boss,
0:12:50 > 0:12:52well let me just put it in very simple terms,
0:12:52 > 0:12:54with me, the buck stops.
0:12:54 > 0:12:55My name is...
0:12:55 > 0:13:00Lieutenant-Colonel Brewis, he outranks the Major, therefore...
0:13:00 > 0:13:01I'm the boss.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04Now you've met your platoon staff
0:13:05 > 0:13:09and no doubt every single one of them has probably told you
0:13:09 > 0:13:12his name is God, well it's not.
0:13:12 > 0:13:13You have just met him.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16Provo Sgt Kelly's name is law.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18I do not like people to steal,
0:13:19 > 0:13:21I do not like people to get drunk,
0:13:21 > 0:13:24and I do not like people to go absent.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28The fourth rule is getting caught doing any of those things,
0:13:28 > 0:13:31that's when you and I will come face to face
0:13:31 > 0:13:34and believe you me I will win.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38OK, and this is worn in conjunction
0:13:38 > 0:13:43with the Army Adidas Mark 1 PT shorts, OK,
0:13:43 > 0:13:45just like your granddad used to wear,
0:13:45 > 0:13:49nice floppy shorts for your big muscley thighs.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52All right, a '58 Pattern belt,
0:13:52 > 0:13:55you can see it's got holes in either side there,
0:13:55 > 0:13:57I want you to adjust the belt
0:13:57 > 0:14:00so it fits loosely around your waist like mine.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05OK, with a little bit of play.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09That's too tight, it's no good pulling your stomach in.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12The KF shirt, you probably heard a bit about it
0:14:12 > 0:14:14before you joined the Army off your cadet mates,
0:14:14 > 0:14:17lovely smooth material, just feel that.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Nice and smooth just like sandpaper, put it on.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24OK, best iron to use - steam iron.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28There is one corporal to each section of eight men,
0:14:28 > 0:14:29living cheek by jowl.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33Their first impressions are paramount and quickly formed.
0:14:33 > 0:14:34The easiest way to do the front
0:14:35 > 0:14:39is where the arm is, put it on the corner of the table, like that.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44Ultimately the corporals' assessment will make or break the recruit.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46They'll break the wrong 'uns, knobs,
0:14:46 > 0:14:49and they'll help the good 'uns find their feet.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54DMS, they're a really good boot.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57Now there's an ideal method of breaking these boots in,
0:14:57 > 0:15:01fill a sink with hot water and just put the boot in it.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06When you're tying your boots up, get them as tight as you can.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09It'll be uncomfortable till the leather stretches.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13Fetch the boot back into the room,
0:15:13 > 0:15:17get a good tinful of polish and get loads and loads of polish on there,
0:15:17 > 0:15:20and in the morning when you come to put them on, they'll be supple.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23Make sure that none of the straps are twisted.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32The first week is a very gradual introduction
0:15:32 > 0:15:34and it's difficult for them to accept it
0:15:34 > 0:15:37so you've got to hammer it home fairly hard and fast.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39One of the biggest problems we've got is
0:15:39 > 0:15:42when they've all come away for the first time
0:15:42 > 0:15:44and they miss their mammies and daddies
0:15:45 > 0:15:47and they come here where they've got to realise
0:15:47 > 0:15:50that they've even got a clean their own toilets out, you know,
0:15:50 > 0:15:53and getting your hand down a bowl doesn't appeal to a lot of them!
0:15:59 > 0:16:01MILITARY MARCH PLAYS
0:16:36 > 0:16:38When you do that, keep your eye on the toilet bowl
0:16:38 > 0:16:41and get the polish underneath the seat really clean.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44That needs to be cleaned as well.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48When you get in here... all right?
0:16:50 > 0:16:53Remember what I said.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11TRUMPET REVEILLE
0:17:21 > 0:17:25Come on get up, everyone! Get up off their backsides, it's 6:45.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34Get the bed blocks made, washed and shaved, across to breakfast.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37You can see the guys that are up and working,
0:17:37 > 0:17:42the others slovenly moving about, coming back from scoff at 7:00am
0:17:42 > 0:17:45when the rest are back at 6:20am and working on the billet straightaway,
0:17:45 > 0:17:47getting a grip of the rest of them.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49It's always the guys that are slow in the morning
0:17:49 > 0:17:51who will be slow for the rest of the day.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55You get the sparks that spark first thing in the morning that carry it on
0:17:55 > 0:17:58throughout the day, throughout the week.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01They were free to leave but submitted
0:18:01 > 0:18:04with a mixture of hope and disbelief
0:18:04 > 0:18:06to the accelerating treadmill -
0:18:06 > 0:18:10spit and polish, carrot and stick, relentless obsession with detail.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15You've got red on top or white on top, Peter?
0:18:17 > 0:18:19It's red on top, isn't it?
0:18:22 > 0:18:24- Red? - Yep.
0:18:27 > 0:18:28This stuff gets on my nerves,
0:18:28 > 0:18:32all the bullying of boots and getting your lockers done every day.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35You're working till about 8:30pm, 9 o'clock most nights now,
0:18:35 > 0:18:37getting stuff ready for next morning.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40But they've got to do that Isuppose, haven't they?
0:18:40 > 0:18:43Would it get on your nerves enough to make you not want to do it?
0:18:43 > 0:18:45I don't want to do it now but you've got to
0:18:45 > 0:18:48cos if you crack up doing this and kick it in the head and walk out,
0:18:48 > 0:18:50you won't be much good on the battlefield, eh?
0:18:50 > 0:18:52Keep still, Barrett.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00Look! This will be everyone's problem.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20- What's Kangaroo Point? -It's a place in America, sir.
0:19:20 > 0:19:21- Sergeant. - Sergeant.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33The staff watched closely for truculence, protest, outrage,
0:19:33 > 0:19:37sussing out the acceptors and the non-acceptors.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40Right, dirt on top of the curtain rail,
0:19:40 > 0:19:42I've told you enough times about that.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48I'm not happy with this corner, is it your responsibility, Kentish?
0:19:48 > 0:19:49Sir.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51- There's cobwebs up in that corner. -Sir.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04Inspections also include the windows,
0:20:04 > 0:20:07these should be cleaned inside and out.
0:20:07 > 0:20:13And this was only an inspection prior to an inspection.
0:20:13 > 0:20:14Stand down.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22The only real escape from the claustrophobia of billet,
0:20:22 > 0:20:25bull, and bollocking is into yet another discipline.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27Push, push, push.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31The BFT, Basic Fitness Test, one and a half miles,
0:20:31 > 0:20:35this at least feels more like a man's army
0:20:35 > 0:20:39but the pressure is mounting, the NCO's tone more threatening.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41Last 300 metres now, come on.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45And Cpl Al Slater in particular doesn't suffer failures gladly.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48You've got to go, you're coming up to 10 minutes.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50Come on, overtake him, get past, last 300 metres.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55Come on, you're not trying, open your legs.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58You haven't got time to talk!
0:20:58 > 0:21:01The main thing is to get them to do as they're told straightaway
0:21:01 > 0:21:05and normally a bit of shouting involved gets them to do that.
0:21:05 > 0:21:06They've come from civilian street,
0:21:06 > 0:21:08they've probably never been shouted at.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11Go for a good time, go on, speed it up!
0:21:11 > 0:21:13Fast as you can, go on. Well, done.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17- Come on. - All the way to the end now.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20So from the first day they get the idea
0:21:20 > 0:21:23that they must do as they're told straightaway without question.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26It's like housetraining a dog, isn't it?
0:21:26 > 0:21:28To housetrain a dog you slap it on the nose.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32We're not allowed to slap recruits on the nose so you swear at them.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35Right, just a quick word.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39Every time you come to a PT lesson with me,
0:21:39 > 0:21:44I want 100% in everything you do, not 90 or 50%, 100.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46If you give me all your percent, all your effort,
0:21:46 > 0:21:49then I can give you all my effort to get you fit.
0:21:49 > 0:21:50If not, I don't want to know you.
0:21:50 > 0:21:55You will be inspected for every PT period and if you are not correctly
0:21:55 > 0:21:59dressed or your dress is not to the standard required,
0:21:59 > 0:22:02you will pay the required punishment.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05Do I make myself clear?
0:22:05 > 0:22:07- Yes, Sergeant. - I can't hear you, I'm deaf.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09- Yes, sergeant! - Good.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11By the front, quick march.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15Up, up, down, down, up, up, down, down.
0:22:15 > 0:22:20Come on, push, get your chin above the beam. Up.
0:22:20 > 0:22:25Stand still. Up, up, down, down, 1 2 3 4.
0:22:25 > 0:22:2922 you're aiming for, we should see you get at least 30.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33Come on on the end. Remember, don't stop.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37Up, up, down, down, up, up, down, down.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39Go!
0:22:41 > 0:22:461, 2, 3, 4. 1, 2, 3, 4...
0:22:46 > 0:22:50Fanny's knees, a bucket of tea, up, up, down, down.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52Push, well done.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54Chin right above, push.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56Pull yourself up.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58Push, push, don't slip off,
0:22:58 > 0:23:00- get the arms straight. - Aargh!
0:23:05 > 0:23:07Push, push, push, come on lift it.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09It's all about determination and willpower
0:23:09 > 0:23:12and that's all that really matters in the end.
0:23:12 > 0:23:17There will be continuous assessment while you are participating
0:23:17 > 0:23:20in the whole of the 22 weeks' training
0:23:20 > 0:23:24and there will be selection at various stages.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26Not all of you will pass,
0:23:26 > 0:23:31about 30% of those who actually start get through.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34Does that really make you want to go and do it?
0:23:34 > 0:23:36Yes, more determined, you want to help each other out
0:23:36 > 0:23:38cos we're starting to pull together now.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40We know each other pretty well
0:23:40 > 0:23:42and we've been saying if we, at any time,
0:23:42 > 0:23:44feel that we're going to drop out,
0:23:44 > 0:23:47the rest will push you, call you all the names under the sun
0:23:47 > 0:23:49and try and push you through it.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52There will be times I think all the way through
0:23:52 > 0:23:54- when we'll feel like dropping out. - Saying to hell with it.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56There'll probably be many times
0:23:56 > 0:23:59that we all do, some of us might even do it but hopefully not.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01I think it's very challenging mentally,
0:24:01 > 0:24:04not so much physically at the moment but mentally I think it
0:24:04 > 0:24:10is with this, you know, lockers and folding everything up the right way and doing boots, things like that.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12The physical part of it's all right,
0:24:12 > 0:24:14I can't wait to get into the proper training.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18What about what your friend calls the mental stuff?
0:24:18 > 0:24:21Yeah, this is the only bad thing, really.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23Got a lot of learning to do, the ranks and that,
0:24:23 > 0:24:25that's a bitdifficult, and remembering all
0:24:25 > 0:24:27the officers' names and all that,
0:24:27 > 0:24:30but you have to take the good with the bad really, don't you?
0:24:30 > 0:24:33No, there's no way I'm going to give up, I like it.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36The only way they're going to get rid of me is to kick me out.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38Stand to attention.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42Bring yourself up, OK, turn to your right.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44Turn to your right, that's it, the Army right.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46That's it, good lad.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48BY THE LEFT, QUICK MARCH!
0:24:48 > 0:24:52Left, right, left, right, left, right, left.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56Cpl Slater, would you take it as a right front, left-hand man?
0:24:56 > 0:25:01It was still only the first week. It had been exhausting and confusing.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03Already perfectly fit young men
0:25:03 > 0:25:05carefully selected by the Army themselves
0:25:05 > 0:25:09were finding it hard to keep up, or even in step.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12Left, right, left, right, left, right, left.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16Left, right, left, right, left, right, left.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20Many of you probably misguidedly thought yes,
0:25:20 > 0:25:24I'm joining the Parachute Regiment, and all you'll do is get down here
0:25:24 > 0:25:27and start throwing yourself out of aircraft, well you ain't.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29It's a long time before you see that aircraft,
0:25:29 > 0:25:33it's a long time before you throw yourselves out of that aircraft.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37You're here to do an awful lot of physically hard
0:25:37 > 0:25:39and mentally hard training.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47Just try and do it in that position now,
0:25:48 > 0:25:49you must get it there.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52That's it, now practise getting it as far as that
0:25:52 > 0:25:54and then practise the last part of the movement, OK?
0:25:54 > 0:25:58When you practise this movement, call out the time.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04For the first four weeks, the drill is as hard on the vocal cords
0:26:04 > 0:26:06as on the feet and the mind,
0:26:06 > 0:26:10recruits must shout a perpetual commentary on their own movements.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15In!
0:26:15 > 0:26:18- ATTENTION! - ALL: In!
0:26:18 > 0:26:22Turn to the left in threes.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24LEFT TURN!
0:26:27 > 0:26:31By the left, left wheel, quick march!
0:26:31 > 0:26:32On the last day of the first week
0:26:32 > 0:26:35while most were beginning to grasp first principles,
0:26:35 > 0:26:37one had second thoughts,
0:26:37 > 0:26:40and having made up his mind in the nick of time
0:26:40 > 0:26:43had the sense and the courage to jack it in.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47Under the terms of service, if he hadn't left within the first week,
0:26:47 > 0:26:51he'd have had to buy himself out for £75.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55As it was, he quit as of right with no explanation,
0:26:55 > 0:26:56braving the Army's displeasure.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59It's one of these that make me very, very annoyed.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01To walk in here and say I don't like it does annoy me,
0:27:01 > 0:27:03it annoys everybody in the
0:27:03 > 0:27:06regiment because there is a place that we have lost
0:27:06 > 0:27:09because once somebody has signed on the dotted line
0:27:09 > 0:27:10in the careers office,
0:27:10 > 0:27:13he is counted as having enlisted.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16Whether he turns up or whether he throws his hand in in the first week,
0:27:16 > 0:27:18he is counted as being in the regiment
0:27:18 > 0:27:22and we cannot get a replacement for him, and it's very, very annoying.
0:27:27 > 0:27:32480 Platoon lost two recruits that day, one who could have stayed
0:27:32 > 0:27:35but wouldn't, and another who would have stayed but couldn't.
0:27:35 > 0:27:39Well, I arrived here on Monday
0:27:39 > 0:27:43and I had a medical, and they found my blood pressure was high
0:27:43 > 0:27:45and they sent me to see an Army specialist.
0:27:45 > 0:27:50He gave me a couple of checks and
0:27:50 > 0:27:54he just turned round and said I wasn't fit to do the training
0:27:54 > 0:27:57that they Paras go through, it's intense training.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59So does that mean you're out of the Paras
0:27:59 > 0:28:01or does it mean you're out of the Army?
0:28:01 > 0:28:03I'm discharged now. I'm out of the Army.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07- Have you got a job to go to? - No, I finished my job to come here.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09I've waited 16 months to get here...
0:28:11 > 0:28:13..and they just finished me just like that.
0:28:13 > 0:28:20It's all I've ever thought about, you know, the Paras, and...
0:28:20 > 0:28:22it's just gone.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25Watching the lads getting changed
0:28:25 > 0:28:28for the different things they're going to do,
0:28:28 > 0:28:30it's heartbreaking, really.
0:28:31 > 0:28:36A year later Kevin Byrne is still unemployed but he's joined the TA,
0:28:36 > 0:28:41subsequent Army tests showed no trace of high blood pressure,
0:28:41 > 0:28:42but just as recruits can reject
0:28:42 > 0:28:46the Paras in their first week, so the Paras can reject them.
0:28:46 > 0:28:50Kevin Byrne was discharged at no cost except to his pride.
0:28:50 > 0:28:54In the weeks to come, others were not to be so lucky.