SAS documenty selection.

[gregaquaman]

Saw this on SBS the other night. This is one of the most in depth documentories that I have seen on the SAS yet.

Just in case you dont know they are the elite soldiers of the Australian army and have one of the toughest, most gruelling selections in the world.

I had some idea previously as to what happens in a selection course but this still blew me away. Not really the physical requirements but the constant mind fuck that the soldiers are put through.

[gregaquaman]

[gregaquaman]

epesode 2.

That was truly eye opening for me.

Enjoy.

(And I still managed to miss spell the title.)

[Eddie Hardon]

I haven't checked it yet (but I will so thanks for posting). Some years ago, there was another feature on them called "The Battle for the Golden Road" and it was authentic.

More recently, NatGeo did a series on the NZSAS. Very good. Recommended viewing.

The Template will be pretty much the same for all of them (and the Rhodesian SAS, formerly C Sqn, 22 SAS).

Tough, tough, tough but requiring Brains.

"You can make an Intelligent Man Tough but you can't make a Tough Man Intelligent" - is the saying.

[NickSavage]

Man I love the SAS, they pretty much started the counter terrorism thing.

[gregaquaman]

I haven't checked it yet (but I will so thanks for posting). Some years ago, there was another feature on them called "The Battle for the Golden Road" and it was authentic.

More recently, NatGeo did a series on the NZSAS. Very good. Recommended viewing.

The Template will be pretty much the same for all of them (and the Rhodesian SAS, formerly C Sqn, 22 SAS).

Tough, tough, tough but requiring Brains.

"You can make an Intelligent Man Tough but you can't make a Tough Man Intelligent" - is the saying.

That was one of the things I was wondering. If different countries have a different feel to the way they train their special forces.

(This was nothing like Gi Jane)

[Eddie Hardon]

I've watched it now - well, last night. All of it. Very very good.

There is a common thread betwixt the Brit, Oz and Kiwi SAS but when all is said and done, they are pretty much all SAS. Tough, Disciplined and Intelligent.

[Volya]

It's quite a good show although i only got to see the first episode. Thanks for posting.

[Rene "Zendokan" Gysenbergs]

That was one of the things I was wondering. If different countries have a different feel to the way they train their special forces.

(This was nothing like Gi Jane)

[gregaquaman]

I've watched it now - well, last night. All of it. Very very good.

There is a common thread betwixt the Brit, Oz and Kiwi SAS but when all is said and done, they are pretty much all SAS. Tough, Disciplined and Intelligent.

Yeah. And a distinct lack of hype about what they do.

[gregaquaman]

I did know a guy who was going for his green hat in the commandoes. I am not sure the ins and outs of it but I think they do slightly different jobs. I think the comandos is more mainstream and the SAS is more clandestine.

Paras here have a real rebutation for brutality in their training. A very real risk of getting the shit beat out of you. Although that may have changed in our now more politicly correct army.

[doofaloofa]

A good read on the subject is

'Looking for Trouble'

the autobiography of General Sir Peter de la Billier, a SAS man from the 50's onwards, and architecht of the modern SAS.

A rollocking good ride with a few hot gypsies thrown in for good mesure

[Eddie Hardon]

A good read on the subject is

'Looking for Trouble'

the autobiography of General Sir Peter de la Billier, a SAS man from the 50's onwards, and architecht of the modern SAS.

No disrespect to you doofa but it's pretty shit. IMO he was keen on money (soldiers always are) but I think he needed to cover his losses at Lloyds - yes, the select Insurers in the City of London. His first book, STORM COMMAND was only memorable for the chapter on Chris Ryan and his epic escape from the Bravo 2-Zero patrol that was compromised.

The rest of STORM COMMAND was pretty risible and sold 'cos Saddam was summarily ejected from Kuwait. However, Publishers like book deals with a possible follow-on if the first is successful hence his auto-bio.

What comes across in Looking for Trouble, is his focus on himself. What he wants, he tends to get. His mother suffered from, IIRC, from carbon monoxide poisoning and it afflicted her life. Old DLB was off a-soldiering and she was cared for by others. As she was coming towards the close of her life, he was sorely exercised by the need to make sure her money was left to the family. Him and his kids schooling I think. This is at odds with Defence practice by which the dept pays for Boarding Schools.

He angles for various jobs - and always seems to get them. How lucky - and not what others experience. He bids for a post in Sudan (IIRC) and you might think that this was quite noble. However, he would have been compensated by a big bag of money for such a Hard Life Posting. To get there, he decides to drive overland - and is quite proud that he achieved this albeit his family felt at Risk. So, he sated an ambition at risk to them...well, that's how it reads. In truth it might not be so dangerous, as soldiers (officers) quite like to travel overland so they can see the World...and have no doubt, his travel costs would have covered, indeed he might have made money out of the journey.

Anyway, don't let me put you off, it's just how I read it. I didn't warm to him...

[doofaloofa]

Its cool Eddie, no disrespect taken

I did know a guy who was going for his green hat in the commandoes. I am not sure the ins and outs of it but I think they do slightly different jobs. I think the comandos is more mainstream and the SAS is more clandestine.

The Royal Marines have the SBS (Special Boat Squadron) as thier equivelent of the SAS.

I like to think of RMs as the thinking mans PARA Regt

[Eddie Hardon]

Its cool Eddie, no disrespect taken



The Royal Marines have the SBS (Special Boat Squadron) as thier equivelent of the SAS.

I like to think of RMs as the thinking mans PARA Regt

In recent years, the "Squadron" has been amended to "Service". Previously they were exclusively RM Commando. Owing to good soldiers being rejected for only a few places, the policy has changed particularly as the tempo of demand has increased re Iraq and Afghanistan. SBS and SAS can now cross-Post and Officers can command in either unit.

Paras and RM Commandoes. Both elite units. Paras can serve for 3 years minimum and extend. Aggression is an asset and P Company very demanding. A friend did all the courses and ph'ysically Shook when he recalled P Company. He remarked that "You didn't want to do it twice". You can join from 18 years up. Many pass SAS Selection.

RM. You sign up for 9 years (yes, you read that right) so you better make sure that's your career choice. They tend to be older than candidates for the Paras. To be a Commando, you must to the Commando March, full kit and a lot of miles in a set time. Slightly different skill-set in that Entry from the Sea as opposed to Airborne Entry.

No accident that both RM Commandos and The Paras were tasked to recover The Falkland Islands. As said, both Elite Units and feeders to the SAS, SBS.