From the Sky with Honor: the New Paratroopers of the Folgore Receive Their Beret

In the heart of summer, at the Piazzale del Centro Addestramento di Paracadutismo, an emotionally charged, proud, and traditional ceremony took place: the awarding of the maroon beret and the military parachutist badge to 256 Initial Service Volunteers (VFI) who completed the training course required for entry into the airborne troops. An event marking the official entry of these young people into the ranks of the Paratrooper Brigade “Folgore”, one of the most prestigious and iconic units of the Italian Army.

The training path was not only a physical test but also, and above all, a journey of inner formation, testing the determination, esprit de corps, and tenacity of the participants. The new paratroopers successfully completed the Airborne Troops Technique and Combat Course (CTC-A), followed by the gym course – essential for jump qualification – and finally the five parachute jumps necessary for obtaining the badge. Only those who demonstrated preparation, courage, and reliability received the distinctive symbol of the paratrooper: the maroon beret.

The ceremony was enriched by the presence of civil and military authorities, combat and weapon associations, and, above all, the families of the newly qualified. A collective moment of great significance, strengthening the bond between civil society and the military world, between new generations and the historical memory of the Armed Forces.

Tradition and Identity: The Thread That Connects Past and Present

During his speech, Colonel Antonio D’Agostino, Commander of the Parachute Training Center, strongly emphasized the continuity of the values that have always animated the spirit of the “Folgore” paratroopers. A moral legacy rooted in the legendary school of Tarquinia and renewed today thanks to the commitment of young volunteers ready to serve the Homeland with honor.

The maroon beret is not just a headgear: it is a symbol. It carries the weight of history, the memory of the heroic deeds of those who wore it before, in complex war scenarios and peace operations in every corner of the world. Those who receive it know they are becoming part of a community forged in sacrifice and excellence, bound by a shared ethical code and a deep sense of belonging.

In this perspective, the ceremony also represented an ideal passing of the baton between generations. The presence of combat associations served as a bridge between the past and the present, offering the new paratroopers the tangible example of those who have already walked the path now opening before them. In this dialogue between memory and future, the entire wealth of the “Folgore” value heritage is reflected.

The Excellence of Training and the Value of Specialization

Alongside the awarding of the beret to the VFI, the ceremony also featured another important moment: the conferment of the “paratrooper scout” qualification to personnel already serving in the Brigade's units, who successfully completed a demanding advanced training course. This qualification identifies highly specialized soldiers capable of operating in high-risk contexts and in reconnaissance and deep target acquisition missions.

This dual dimension – on one hand, the entry of new paratroopers, on the other, the refinement of experienced operators – tells of the continuous evolution of the “Folgore” Brigade, increasingly oriented towards high operational readiness and the ability to face complex scenarios. Training, in fact, does not end with the first badge but represents only the beginning of a continuous process of professional and human growth.

In an increasingly unstable world, where international crises require rapid action, competence, and adaptability, the “Folgore” confirms itself as a reference point for the Italian Army. The ceremony on August 14, 2025, was concrete testimony to this: not just a rite of passage, but the visible affirmation of a solid, coherent military community founded on timeless values such as discipline, dedication, and spirit of sacrifice.

The maroon beret received by these 256 young people represents much more than an achievement: it is a promise, a responsibility, and a commitment to the Nation. In an era where the concept of service often becomes confused or diluted, the new paratroopers of the “Folgore” remind us all that there are still places where honor, duty, and loyalty are living words. And that behind every beret, there is a personal story of courage, dreams, and sacrifices.