south african navy and parachutists

[seaeagle25]

Hi there guys

Can someone give me some information on SAN parachutists. In Owen's book of SA badges, he identifies some wings for navy parachute instructors. This surprised me because I did not think parachuting was that big in the SAN to have instructors. I know clearance divers would be para trained but would they not just use the army instructors?

When the SA Marine corps was re-instated in 1979, would this have seen a big increase in navy trained paras? Are navy personnel still being para qualified nowadays?

Regards

Doug

[Alex Rice]

Hi Doug
There is basically a full set of Naval para wings to match the army versions. In fact, however, there were only two actually approved, which were the basic jumpers wings on black & white backings. Mostly these were worn by para-qualified marines & divers but I do know of army paras who transferred to the navy as well. As the wings were privately purchased and not issued, it is quite possible that variations other than the approved ones which were worn.
Cheers,
Alex