On TV, in newspapers, on the internet, you hear about the Folgore.
But what really is the Folgore? How is it composed? And how do you join the Folgore Regiments?
The Folgore is a Paratroopers Brigade composed of six Regiments stationed in Livorno, Pistoia, Siena, Pisa, Grosseto, Legnago (VR), and Bracciano (Rome).
It is the only large airborne unit of the Italian Army, under the command of COMFOTER (Command of Land Operational Forces).
Due to the composition of its units, it is a unique unit of its kind and by virtue of the particular training its personnel undergoes, it represents a light infantry force always available for deployment. Equipped with means that guarantee both air transport and airdrop capability, it also has armored units.
The Folgore is indeed capable of deploying three highly operational base weapon units (183rd, 186th, and 187th), each regiment containing three rifle companies, a maneuver support company, and special forces operations, the latter with a paratrooper reconnaissance platoon, a paratrooper artillery regiment (185th), a cavalry regiment (3rd), and a paratrooper engineer regiment (8th).
The armored unit is composed of the historic "Savoia Cavalleria" Regiment (3rd), one of the oldest and most glorious units of the Italian Army's Cavalry Corps, with an armored squadron and three paratrooper reconnaissance squadrons.
Supporting these units is a Paratrooper Engineer Regiment (8th) capable of providing support in any scenario.
The three base weapon regiments, although classified as conventional infantry forces, often undergo training and operations that in other countries' armies would have special forces connotations.
There are also the 184th Command and Tactical Support Unit "Nembo", the Folgore Paratrooper Logistics Regiment, and the Parachuting Training Center in Pisa.
October 23rd marks the anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein (1942), while the patron saint is Saint Michael the Archangel (September 29th).
The Paratrooper Scouts
Within the maneuver support company, we have a reconnaissance platoon that represents the spearhead of each unit:
- 183rd Par. Rgt. Nembo: 12th Maneuver Support Company "LEOPARDI"
- 186th Par. Rgt. Folgore: 11th Maneuver Support Company "PESTE"
- 187th Par. Rgt. Folgore: 10th Maneuver Support Company "DRAGHI"
The scout course takes place at the 9th Paratrooper Assault Regiment "Col Moschin" and is attended by the best Paratroopers from each Regiment.
The reconnaissance platoon is structured with specific skills, incorporating snipers, JTAC (Joint Terminal Attack Control) teams, and reconnaissance squads. It is trained to perform jumps using HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) freefall techniques, in addition to traditional static line jumps, thus demonstrating a wide range of capabilities and operational versatility.
The 1st Paratrooper Scout Squadron of the Savoia Cavalleria, like the reconnaissance platoon of the maneuver regiments, is a unit complementing Special Operations (COS) with high-altitude insertion capability in which the COFS (Joint Special Operations Command), in the absence, even partial, of forces for special operations, can utilize in the planning of special forces missions, as a reconnaissance unit.
The Current Structure
How to Join the Folgore?
Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Volunteer Troops join the Folgore. The latter even if not in permanent service.
You will need to apply to the respective schools, then pass physical tests.
Once assigned to the Paratrooper units, depending on the assignment, you may be sent to a specialization school or directly to the unit. It will depend on the type of assignment you are given.
The Paratrooper badge can be obtained during the stay at the category school (in the case of officers and non-commissioned officers) or in the first period of stay at the unit (in the case of volunteer troops).
Upon arrival at the regiment, grit your teeth, the world will seem upside down...YOU HAVE ENTERED THE FOLGORE and from this moment every gesture, behavior, action, will be the continuation of a Glorious history born in the early '40s.
It is important to remind all aspiring Paratroopers that there is no "easy" regiment in the Folgore. The stay within the Battalions where operational companies are present is strongly linked to the Paratrooper's behavior over time.
The training is of the highest level. Over the years, Paratroopers undergo courses in reconnaissance, sniper, patrolling, rock climbing, etc.
Those who cannot keep up are sent out of the battalion or even transferred to another unit or, in the worst case, expelled from the Brigade.
One last piece of information: except for very rare cases of personnel sent to perform logistical tasks, it should be noted that you only enter the Folgore upon specific request.
You are not sent to the Folgore.
You will therefore find yourself training and operating alongside highly motivated personnel.
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