1st Battalion, The Parachute Regiment

1st Battalion, Parachute Regiment
Cap badge of the Parachute Regiment
Active	1941–1948 1948–Present
Country	United Kingdom2
Branch	British Army
Type	Airborne infantry
Role	Special operations light infantry
Size	One battalion
Part of	UK Special Forces
Nickname(s)	Sporting First
Motto(s)	Utrinque Paratus (Latin for "ready for anything"
Insignia
Identification symbol

The 1st Battalion, Parachute Regiment (1 PARA), forms the United Kingdom's Special Forces Support Group (SFSG).

An airborne light infantry unit, the battalion has since 2006 been the main contributor of manpower to the Special Forces Support Group (SFSG) and is capable of a wide range of operations. Personnel regularly deploy outside of the United Kingdom on operations and training.

All personnel complete the Pre Parachute Selection (P Company) course at the Infantry Training Centre Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire (previously at Aldershot, Hampshire).

1 PARA is permanently attached to the SFSG. Once selected, they receive further training on additional weapons, communications equipment and specialist assault skills. All men within the Parachute Regiment can expect to serve with the SFSG on rotation. This ensures that the advanced military skills taught to the SFSG are maintained in the other two regular battalions.

Under Army 2020, it is expected that 1 PARA will remain as part of the SFSG.

The 1st Battalion can trace its origins to 1940, when No. 2 Commando trained as parachutists. In 1941, the battalion was assigned to the 1st Parachute Brigade which also included the 2nd and 3rd battalions. The 1st Parachute Brigade was part of the 1st Airborne Division and remained with it throughout the war.