Does Anyone still wear the 'lightbulb'?

[Postwarden]

The wingless parachute was introduced for those who had completed the parachute course but were not regularly employed as parachutists.

After the war the badge appeared in a variety of colours for various regiments. But a cursory glance seems to indicate that all those who now complete the course wear a full parachute badge.

Can someone enlighten me please?

[Alan O]

The last one I saw in use was on a Lt Col's Mess Kit some 20 years ago. he had done the course as a RMAS cadet and has he had not done PCoy or equivalent then he wore the bulb.

[Mike H]

I can honestly say ,ive never seen one worn .

[54Bty]

They were still in the JSP for 2009 not sure if they are still there. Not that it proves they were worn.

I would think that anyone doing the Parachute course now, goes on to serve in a Parachute role and therefore gets the winged version.

Marc

[Alan O]

I would agree. It's very hard to get a place on Jumps courses and they give priority to those in an airborne role, those in airborne units etc and you need to have passed Pcoy or Cdo cse etc to get a place. If you have passed these courses then you will wear the wings. The days of 'light bulb' students are long gone.

[Mike_2817]

Qualification for Parachute Wings was to attended a recognised Pre-Selection Course (P Coy, Commando etc, followed by a number of jumps, and be employed in an airborne role.

If you did not meet all three criteria you got the 'Light Bulb' numbers attending the 'All Arms Parachute' course without the selection course, and employed in an airborne role have been limited and now almost non-existent.

It used to be that Sandhurst ran two 'Rupert Bear' parachute courses a year for parachute experience which was why you used to see a lot of officers and not other ranks wearing the badge.

[crest-insignia]

I am still selling plenty, including a black on MTP backing version, so someone must want them.

[54Bty]

Originally Posted by crest-insignia

someone must want them.

Ah, good old 'Walter'!

Marc

[crest-insignia]

Originally Posted by 54Bty

Ah, good old 'Walter'!

Marc

I love Walter! He pays my mortgage!

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by Mike_2817

Qualification for Parachute Wings was to attended a recognised Pre-Selection Course (P Coy, Commando etc, followed by a number of jumps, and be employed in an airborne role.

If you did not meet all three criteria you got the 'Light Bulb' numbers attending the 'All Arms Parachute' course without the selection course, and employed in an airborne role have been limited and now almost non-existent.

It used to be that Sandhurst ran two 'Rupert Bear' parachute courses a year for parachute experience which was why you used to see a lot of officers and not other ranks wearing the badge.

O/Cdt Edward Bear actually! Thetford 1963. Mike
RMAS@Thetford 1963.01.jpg

[Mike_2817]

I stand corrected sir,


http://www.army.mod.uk/training_education/24564.aspx

[Eddie Parks]

Mike OC Bear had been appointed a Senior Under Officer by 1966!

Eddie

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by Eddie Parks

Mike OC Bear had been appointed a Senior Under Officer by 1966!

Eddie

Probably well deserved after 250 jumps and being kidnapped by both Cranwell (RTU'd - "boots too big for cockpit") and RNC Dartmouth (RTU'd - no reason given) Mike

[Eddie Parks]

The only thing that kept body and soul together in my senior term was sausage, beans and chips in the Edward Bear Club, in the basement under Waterloo and Inkerman Companies as I recall?

I think SUO Bear had over 400 jumps in his red book when he retired?

Eddie

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by Eddie Parks

The only thing that kept body and soul together in my senior term was sausage, beans and chips in the Edward Bear Club, in the basement under Waterloo and Inkerman Companies as I recall?

I think SUO Bear had over 400 jumps in his red book when he retired?

Eddie

Never experienced such luxury myself. I was Intake 31, Rhine Company and we all (including OCdt HRH Prince Michael) spent two years in the Nissen huts located between New College and the Hospital! Mike