George,
No offence, but I have 3 words for you - "Train to need" It is not a new concept.....
As I said above, C Coy's requirements will likely be satisifed with the equivalent of 2 Basic Para course serials. CPC is currently running at full capacity, and even with 3 VP's para-roling initiative there are far more vacancies to go around these days than there were just a couple of years ago. In fact, LFCA has managed to get enough Reserve vacancies to form a composite infantry "jump coy" for their summer concentration. If there are enough B Para vacancies to allow that, then I would suggest that there are enough for deserving 1 CMBG personnel - even with 3 VP taking precedence for a mere couple of serials.
There is zero operational requirement for para-qualified Armoured Recce Crewmen that I am aware of. On that basis, I would humbly suggest that the LdSH should be the lowest 1 CMBG priority for "spare" vacancies. 1 CER has a justifiable (if unofficial) requirement to man a single para-qualified field-section (plus a few spare personnel), in order to provide engineer support to the 3 PPCLI para coy should a "company group" be formed. That is 1 CER's ONLY para requirement, and even those few positions are (to my knowledge) not formally jump-tasked. The same applies to 1 RCHA in the form of a para-qualified 81mm mortar group and FOO Party. Beyond those few small Engineer and Artillery sub-sub-sub-units, all Basic Para vacancy allocations to 1 CMBG units (other than 3 PPCLI) are used for nothing more than nice-to-have "attaboy" rewards. Bottom line? Your argument that other 1 CMBG units have an "operational para requirement" holds no water. If you can show me designated para positions on ANY current unit REMAR beyond what I have mentioned above, then I will quite happily concede your point.
I would expect any soldier who is "upset" about 3 VP's priority for para vacancies to look beyond their selfish personal desire to sport a set of wings that they will likely never use after the basic course. 3 VP's sub-unit rotation of the para role makes emminent sense for the OPERATIONAL health of that particular unit. You won't convince me that the initiative is wrong just because a bunch of people who don't NEED the Basic Para qualification will have to wait a few extra months to obtain it. :'(
As for any Patricia grumbling outside of 3 VP, they can get in line like everyone else. Or better yet, they can request a posting to 3 VP and put their money where their mouths are. Having served 2 tours in a mech battalion and 1 tour in 3 VP, I have no sympathy for anyone in a non-jump position whining about a lack of Basic Para vacancies.
I personally think that sending deserving people on the Basic Para course is a good thing WHEN THERE ARE SPARE VACANCIES. If there are no spare vacancies for non-para-tasked 1 CMBG personnel due to an operational requirement (that Comd 1 CMBG has signed-off on, BTW), then too bad. They can wait their turn, in accordance with their place in the para-qualification pecking order. It is not about 3 VP "hogging" vacancies. It is all about operational training priorities and requirements.
Not to sound harsh, but I can't stand whining. Like I said before - anyone within 1 CMBG who truly wants to jump and put their qualification to its intended use, should be taking active steps to work their way into 3 VP Para Coy or its jump-tasked attachments. Everyone else is just looking for a "good go". Nothing wrong with the latter, but it takes a back-seat to operational requirements.
To further illustrate my point, I will offer a simple analogy. If an infantryman wants to become qualified on the 105mm Howitzer just so that he can have the "thrill" of pulling the lanyard 5 times, does that mean he (or she) should be loaded on the course? Should the infantryman be course-loaded ahead of an unqualified Artillery Gunner because he or she deserves an "attaboy"? :