The Grenadier Guards have their first female guardsman

[trellheim]

https://twitter.com/GrenadierGds/sta...69656955867137



Yeeek the fking ties forgot how silly that all was

took them long enough

[na grohmiti]

When you consider how long it has been since the Household Cavalry and RHA had "fems" both in ceremonial and frontline service.
They really batter their new entrants with heritage and tradition from the start.

[GoneToTheCanner]

yep, entering a "proper" regiment means seperating them from the chavs and oiks that make up regular, unwashed regiments.

[sofa]

Fems was something one would only see in the Fish an Chip regiments.

[na grohmiti]

I pity her.

[Flamingo]

I pity her.

She’s going to need a bigger pair than most of the guys...

[Truck Driver]

What I want to know is, why has the WO1 got his swagger stick tucked under his right oxter? Need the right arm/hand for saluting. Also need it for HOLDING same stick when pointing out dress faults on parade...

[GoneToTheCanner]

This appears to be a swearing-in ceremony, maybe that's why.

[Laners]

It's a mini indoor flag ,bring it to an upright position to perform a salute, hence the reason for it being in his right hand .

[Flamingo]

What I want to know is, why has the WO1 got his swagger stick tucked under his right oxter? Need the right arm/hand for saluting. Also need it for HOLDING same stick when pointing out dress faults on parade...

Do you really want to argue Drill with a Grenadier Guards WO?

[trellheim]

I've sworn a ton of people in without any flags being dipped is it the tie he's saluting or what .

how do you know he's a wo what am I missing also why is the major wearing para wings do they do that on the wooly pully .

[na grohmiti]

I've sworn a ton of people in without any flags being dipped is it the tie he's saluting or what .

how do you know he's a wo what am I missing also why is the major wearing para wings do they do that on the wooly pully .

3 Para have a Guards parachute platoon, it's members having completed P Company. His beret is Guards though.

[Auldsod]

3 Para have a Guards parachute platoon, it's members having completed P Company. His beret is Guards though.

The para wings can be worn in perpetuity once earned and if you've served in an airborne unit (which guards para platoon obviously is). The maroon headress is only worn when actually serving with the unit however. The soldier reverts back to the beret of their home unit when they return to their regiment. Makes sense here as the major is dealing with recruits (and there wouldn't be a role for guards major in 3 para anyway).

[Poiuyt]

The para wings can be worn in perpetuity once earned and if you've served in an airborne unit (which guards para platoon obviously is). The maroon headress is only worn when actually serving with the unit however.

Para beret for everyone who serves in the Parachute Battalion, they don't necessarily have to be para-qualified.

[Truck Driver]

I've sworn a ton of people in without any flags being dipped is it the tie he's saluting or what .

how do you know he's a wo what am I missing also why is the major wearing para wings do they do that on the wooly pully .

Educated guess, as he's holding said stick and standing in the background

[Truck Driver]

Para beret for everyone who serves in the Parachute Battalion, they don't necessarily have to be para-qualified.

Wouldn't have thought so... is that correct? Given the para beret is a symbol of qualification as well as unit identity

[Auldsod]

Wouldn't have thought so... is that correct? Given the para beret is a symbol of qualification as well as unit identity

It is correct. The para roled units would have clerks assigned from the AGC for example and many of them would not have completed (or would need to have completed) the basic parachute course. Parachute training is expensive and there are high barriers to entry in British service at least. Specifically the maroon beret is worn by parachute regiment soldiers and also soldiers serving with parachute roled units (specifically in 16 AA brigade).

The big difference is that the maroon beret is only worn by other regiments while serving in para roled units. Don't forget that they would wear different cap badges with the maroon beret.

The real distinction is attainting the parachute regiment cap badge and also the wings which are worn in perpetuity.

Just on the reserve side of things - members of 4 para who have passed out of training often have to wait many months or even years to get a spot on the basic para course but of course wear the maroon beret until that point.

[Flamingo]

I’ve known female RAMC serving with PARA units who had a maroon beret, but couldn’t do P Company even if they had wanted to (this was the 90’s). Same goes for blanket stackers attached to THEM, I believe.

[Auldsod]

I’ve known female RAMC serving with PARA units who had a maroon beret, but couldn’t do P Company even if they had wanted to (this was the 90’s). Same goes for blanket stackers attached to THEM, I believe.

Have you come across many wearing the 'light bulb' during your service?

[Flamingo]

Have you come across many wearing the 'light bulb' during your service?

Yea, quite a few. It’s so long ago I can’t remember the exact refs, but I’m sure it was for completing P Company but not currently serving with an airborne unit and (open to correction) not up to date with Para qualification (I think).

I remember a few Commando dagger’s worn on uniforms as well.

[RoyalGreenJacket]

Wouldn't have thought so... is that correct? Given the para beret is a symbol of qualification as well as unit identity

even in Hereford - Attached Arms (and pretty much all Army personnel posted to Stirling Lines) wear the 'Sandy Beret' of 22SAS despite never having even attempted UKSF selection.

When in Rome....

[Flamingo]

even in Hereford - Attached Arms (and pretty much all Army personnel posted to Stirling Lines) wear the 'Sandy Beret' of 22SAS despite never having even attempted UKSF selection.

When in Rome....

I thought that was the case.

[Auldsod]

even in Hereford - Attached Arms (and pretty much all Army personnel posted to Stirling Lines) wear the 'Sandy Beret' of 22SAS despite never having even attempted UKSF selection.

When in Rome....

Also correct. They still need cooks and clerks.