Sign up

Picture
P.A.R.A. is always keen to get new members in, especially being a newly formed group.  However, in order to maintain a high qualtiy presentation and a relaxed and easy going fun organisation, there are criteria. 

Over 18 - to wear military uniform as a member of P.A.R.A you must be 18 years or over.  Children will be allowed to participate in period civilian clothing if they have an appropriate guardian present.  Clearly war is typically fought by young men, but we cannot effect our age, providing you can keep up the physical condition listed below, age is not a boundary.

Physical Condition - we are representing some of the fitest and strongest, both physically and mentally that were seen during the largest war the world has ever known, let us do them justice.  At the time, the entry requirements for the airborne were that you were under 6' 2" tall and under 13.7 stone in weight.  Now, we will have no restriction on height in our organisation as that is not something you can effect.  However, in terms of bodyweight, all members have a responsibility to maintain a good standard.  We do not expect you to have the physical ftiness of a soldier of course, as we cannot train full time for it, but you must be able to physically look like a soldier of the day and be physically able to portray them over the time of a weekend.event.  Is this a little elitist?  Yes, of course it is, are we horrible to overwight people?  Of course not!  Most of us have been overweight at one stage or another and most people put some effort in to lose weight from time to time, why not have a good incentive to stay in shape and the encouragement to do so?  If you would like to join the group and are a little overweight, feel free to contact us for some diet and exercise advice that will get you up to par and in to action asap.

As for what we would consider acceptable to join, the original entry requirements 13.7 stone maximum is a good general figure to work with, but exceptions will of course be made for very tall people or heavily muscled ones, as well as those showing a commitment and progress in weight loss towards that figure.  Please do not see this as a boundary to entry, but a target to maintain health and fitness.

Personality - groups and organisations around the world can suffer badly from political infighting and ill will, this must be avoided at all costs.  As an organisation we have a serious devotion to getting the portrayal of the airborne correct, but also to do so in a fun and relaxed manner that everyone enjoys.  Therefore, a good sense of humour and fun loving attitude will go a long way.

Gender - Despite many women serving in in the army today, no woman ever fought in the British airborne during WWII.  However, as we are a re-enactment group and a hobby for people to enjoy, we have a number of possibilities to allow women to get involved.  Firstly, we will allow women to portray airborne soldiers, BUT, only if they can genuinely pass as a man when in gear.  As well as this, women can portray WRAF (Women's Royal Air Force), which the airborne would have had contact with before leaving for war zones.  Or, women may portray French or Dutch civilians (depending on event).