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Question about Paratroopers (and weight)

Ratko Trbojevic

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in the french foreign legion's parachutist's regiment (2rep) , are soldiers generally carrying less weight compared to the "line infantry" from other regiments of the legion and french army?

i ask both for most likely combat situations , deployements and training , all in total.

been thinking which regiment should i go for (if i meet the requirements and be in situation to choose) and one of the factors for me is weight (my own weight).
(my current BMI without proper diet and sleeping is 19.4 or 19.5) and as far as i know , at least in theory 20bmi is minimum
would i do better in the 2rep if* my assumption that they are more lighter infantry is somehow true , and would by any chance recruiters preffer in some way lighter guys like me , for 2rep, provided i do luc leger and pull ups excellently and be in the first 5 at the selection, or it doesnt have anything to do with reality?
 

Don Pedro

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in the french foreign legion's parachutist's regiment (2rep) , are soldiers generally carrying less weight compared to the "line infantry" from other regiments of the legion and french army? (...)

They carry the standard equipment, as any soldier does, they 'jump' with their equipment, ammo, water and food ( the first 2 are priority), along with the jump and on the dropzone, follows all they need to fulfill a mission, before calling in supplies. So, no, they don't "carry less weight". And whom told you that "Light Infantry, is light"?
 
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And whom told you that "Light Infantry, is light"?

This is actually a point of curiosity for me. Forgive my ignorance, but as I understand it, "light" infantry still carries 80-100 lb of gear at max, at least 50-60 min. So are there actually units of infantry that carry more? I never hear of "heavy" infantry; I suppose the only other designation might be mounted infantry, with gear in gun trucks.
 

Don Pedro

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Mechanized Infantry, evolves around, 'onboard mounted' 'collective defense weapon and it's true reach, or, on foot. My examples, the 7.62mm, 300 meters, the cal 50, twice that reach and so forth and when yer wheels are blown up under you, you still have the boots and a 'Mission' to carry out, no matter the 'weight' you have to haul, getting the job done, is the "Mission". Paras, or not paras.
 

Ratko Trbojevic

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They carry the standard equipment, as any soldier does, they 'jump' with their equipment, ammo, water and food ( the first 2 are priority), along with the jump and on the dropzone, follows all they need to fulfill a mission, before calling in supplies. So, no, they don't "carry less weight". And whom told you that "Light Infantry, is light"?

i see. well nobody told me to be honest, just thought about it as a thin possibility (has to do more with my not so perfect BMI than with my knowledge or lack of it , i thught " oh i can be a paratrooper they carry less" but i knew it was most likely a fantasy

if i am not mistaken, they are "lighter" operationally, can operate without large caliber artilery,trucks and whatnot, so can be deployed faster/easier ,often sent behind enemy lines ,at least in theory, so from there i tried to hope they are also Lighter* in a way that they wear less gear
 

Don Pedro

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"They" can swear and sweat like everyone else. "Behind" the enemy lines, never, they aren't that 'special', they deploy at the same rate as any other unit ( what differes 'them', is that they are flewn into shituations), while modern Infantry drives, or, walks into it. You will always carry what you need and a bit more, no such as a 'easy' life, being a soldier. :)
 

SLehman

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i see. well nobody told me to be honest, just thought about it as a thin possibility (has to do more with my not so perfect BMI than with my knowledge or lack of it , i thught " oh i can be a paratrooper they carry less" but i knew it was most likely a fantasy

if i am not mistaken, they are "lighter" operationally, can operate without large caliber artilery,trucks and whatnot, so can be deployed faster/easier ,often sent behind enemy lines ,at least in theory, so from there i tried to hope they are also Lighter* in a way that they wear less gear

Light infantry is a historic term for the skirmishers that traditionally fought in open order in advance of line/heavy infantry. Many fine regiments to this day carry the title and traditions of light infantry. Today light infantry is term sometimes used for non-mechanized infantry.

Simply put, a grunt without a track is going to have to hump more kit than a mechanized grunt.

Paratroopers under canopy at one time only could carry a combined weight of 265lbs including the jumper, chute and equipment. A jumper that weighs 170 pounds might find himself jumping the mortar base plate and extra ammo boxes to bring him up to max weight. Once on the ground and fully kitted with additional ammo and rations, he finds himself under the same restrictions as light infantry.
 

Joseph Cosgrove

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The legion basic training will require you to carry as much as the heaviest guy in the section, on occasions more when it is your turn for the AA52 (machine gun) or radio etc.

As for the REP, all depends on the mission or type of exercise. For example the GR 20, which is a 4,5, or 6 day march in the mountains of Corsica. You are dropped in with three days rations and water. And you just walk until the second day until resupplied for two more days. Note that there is a days rations overlapping. that's always a fun time and everyone cheers when they are already tired and suddenly get more weight to carry with them.

The 2 REI have the same type of set up when they do their marches; ie march and get resupplied. Weight nowadays does not come into it with the modern parachutes, if you are in the REP then you can go out the door.
 

mark wake

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"They" can swear and sweat like everyone else. "Behind" the enemy lines, never, they aren't that 'special', they deploy at the same rate as any other unit ( what differes 'them', is that they are flewn into shituations), while modern Infantry drives, or, walks into it. You will always carry what you need and a bit more, no such as a 'easy' life, being a soldier. :)

No we are nobody special. That's why we do ops like Kolwezi / Mali etc.
 

Sarajevo1992

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Oh! and the cavalry! Are they special?

i guess so because they alwys come just in time to save everyone. makes me wonder though why they always wait for the last moment to make a dramatic appearance
 

Brad Eldergar

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Funny thing. In the Swedish Army (what is left of it…) the former (horse) Cavalry regiments are in fact light (Swedish “jägareâ€￾/German Jäger) infantry. In other armies, Cavalry are armor (light or heavy)?
Anyone know of Swed similarities in their own country’s Army?
Eg maybe some of the Cav regs of France - Chasseurs Alpin. But in France you have both Cav regs as armor and light infantry?

(I am also ready for the expected “Well, Swedes you know…â€￾).
/ Brad
 

a1b2c3

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Chasseurs Alpin (7eme, 13eme, 27eme BCA) aren't cavalry...they're motorized/mechanized infantry (VAB and VHM/Bv 206-mounted).

The cavalry regiment for the 27eme BIM (Brigade Infanterie Montagne) is 4eme Regiment de Chasseurs at Gap, primarily equipped with AMX-10RC, ERC 90 and VAB Cannon 20 IIRC.
 

Hansenmann

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Funny thing. In the Swedish Army (what is left of it…) the former (horse) Cavalry regiments are in fact light (Swedish “jägareâ€￾/German Jäger) infantry. In other armies, Cavalry are armor (light or heavy)?
Anyone know of Swed similarities in their own country’s Army?
Eg maybe some of the Cav regs of France - Chasseurs Alpin. But in France you have both Cav regs as armor and light infantry?

(I am also ready for the expected “Well, Swedes you know…â€￾).
/ Brad

Not sure, but there are two cavalry regiments in Denmark, one of them still has a mounted squadron that escorts the royal family and do parades on horses, the rest of the regiment is armored infantry and recon. The other regiment is now an armored regiment and they don't do parades with horses - they have armored/armored infantry battalions now (and a training battalion).
 

mark wake

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Kolwezi, you guys had your days. Mali, sad to break the news, the 'Cavalry' where there "first". I Love you Brother! :)

Funny. There weren't any cavalry around when we needed them! We were always on our bloody own! Whenever one of the lads mentioned them. Somebody would smirk laugh and then do a good fart!😎
 

loustic

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Kolwezi, you guys had your days. Mali, sad to break the news, the 'Cavalry' where there "first". I Love you Brother! :)

Correct, the 2 REP was not the first in Mali, it was a regiment of the regular army I think. The 93 RAM if I am not wrong. But they did not really advance and liberate the country. We, from 2 REP, jumped on Timbuktu (night jump) and freed the city of all djihadists. To thank us for that, we were sent during months in the desert where we lost an excellent NCO !
 

mark wake

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Bro you really have to ask that question and some of my best mates are Reptiles.

Read between the lines Martin. Just a spat between two ornery old Caporaux-chefs! You are and always will be a good mate and brother!
 
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Martin Scott

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Read between the lines Martin. Just a spat between two ornery old Caporaux-chefs! You are and always will be a good mate and brother!

Yeah I know bro pull up a sandbag and a cold one and tell some story. But you know between the two regiments there not a lot of difference, Your lot bring fire and vengenge from the sky, we just drive in. LPN bro
 
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