Pre Para Selection Course (PPSC)

On Monday 2nd November 30 prospective candidates will begin the Pre Para Selection Course (PPSC). For more information on this course follow this link:

www.raf.mod.uk/idtraf/courses/4705.cfm

This course enables successful candidates to serve on the airborne units of the RAF Regiment. These are II Squadron, Special Forces Support Group (SFSG) or attached to 16 Air Assault Brigade as a Tactical Air Control Party (TACP). A camera phone will document their arduous training on this three week course.

During the first 2 weeks of the PPSC candidates take part in intense physical conditioning. The training includes running, gym and circuit sessions, man carrying, swimming, stretcher and log carrying, hill work, loaded marches, the assault course and personal survival. The physical elements of this intense course are broken up by lessons in foot preparation, map reading and the history of parachuting. Completion of the 3 peaks challenge is a pre requisite for entry into the final week of assessments. Due to the nature of airborne operations candidates on this course are not told the required distances and times for each test. Not knowing when they will finish takes an enormous amount of mental strength and determination. It is for this reason that detail on each test has not been included.

Test week includes 6 events and all must be completed in order to be successful.

Assault course test 2 laps of the obstacles and 3 of the inside.

Stretcher carry, the stretcher weighs 75kg

Loaded march - Carrying 12.7kg, excluding food and water.

200m Man carry.

Brecan Beacons – Carrying 15.9kg excluding food and water.

Fan Dance – Candidates carry 15.9kg excluding food and water.

Follow the course on twitter too, use this link:

twitter.com/RAFLiveregiment