What are the British SAS?

Answer 1

The Special Air Service is an elite special forces unit of the British army that has acted as a model for special forces units around the world. The Regiment can trace its roots to World War 2, when David Stirling, found of the SAS, commanded small teams of highly trained men to destroy German equipment in the deserts of North Africa. Since the skills the SAS provided had significant military advantages, there was to be a permanent deep penetration commando unit available, and so the Artists Rifles was held as the mantle for 21 SAS. After the Korean conflict, during which the Rhodesian SAS, and the New Zealand SAS were formed, it was then decided that they would need a full time SAS unit. It was then that 22 SAS was established and based in Hereford. Shortly after, they formed 23 SAS. There are the three main regiments. The regular force regiment known as 22 SAS, is based in Hereford, UK. The other two are reserve regiments; 23 SAS is based in Manchester, and 21 SAS is based in London.

To join the SAS, you must meet the following criteria:

-Be a British citizen; by birth, or have a British passport.

-Be male.

-Have at least 3 years of prior experience in the British Army. *(It used to be that they would accept civilian volunteers into 21 and 23 SAS, but they have recently amended application procedures, so all SAS candidates must have prior military experience. They prefer candidates to have backgrounds in the parachute regiment or the RMC's)

Even though any member of the United Kingdom armed forces can partake in selection for the SAS, for the majority, most members have backgrounds in the airborne regiments. On arrival candidates first complete a Personal Fitness Test, and a Combat Fitness Test. They then begin the hill phase, in the Brecon Beacons, marching across country under time contraints with increasingly heavier loads and distances as the days progress. This lasts for 5 weeks. The final test of the hill phase is Long Drag; a 64 kilometer forced march to be completed in 24 hours, whilst carrying a bergen weighing 60 pounds.

After this the candidates are sent ff to the jungles of Brunei, Malaysia, etc., to learn about jungle warfare, survival, patrol movement and navigation.

Upon successful completion of the jungle phase, remaining candidates go back to the UK to learn about weapons, combat survival tests and such.

They then complete Escape and Evasion training, in which candidates must reach a specific RV point in the hills whilst avoiding tracking parties.

Once caught as they inevitabley will be, remaining SAS candidates are taken for RTI training. During which, they will be subjected to stress positions and interrogation which may last for up to 36 hours. *(This is considered the most gruelling part of selection, as candidates will be without food or water for the time stated. Many of these men may not have eaten, slept or drank for the days previous.)

Once this has been passed, candidates are given their winged dagger cap badges, tan berets and are sent off to train with their assigned Sabre squadrons to learn essential Regimental skills.

Because of their skills, proffessionalism and experience, the British SAS have become known as the model and standard for special forces units worldwide.

Here is a list of countries that have copied or based their own regiments on the SAS:

United States - Delta Force

Australia - Special Air Service Regiment

New Zealand - New Zealand Special Air Service

Canada - Joint Task Force 2

Israel - Sayeret Matkal

Australia - Extant - Australian Special Air Service Regiment.

Belgium - Extant - Belgian Special Forces Group, closely modelled on the SAS and consisting of Land, Air and Boat sections. Comprises about 120 operational personnel distinguished by the maroon beret with the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol insignia.

Defunct - During WWII 5 (Belgian) SAS squadron, from 1944 '5 SAS' Regiment, consisted of Belgian volunteers. Notable as the first Allied troops to enter Belgium and the first to cross the Siegfried line, into Germany. Traditions are currently continued by 1 PARA of the Paracommando Brigade.

Canada - Extant - The Canadian Military's Joint Task Force 2 is closely modelled on the SAS. (Although it traces its lineage to the Canadian SAS Company created in 1946, its structure is not generally known.)

Defunct - An SAS Company was created in 1946 and disbanded in 1948.[2]

Denmark - Frømandskorpset (Naval Special Forces) and Jægerkorpset (Army Special Forces).

France - The 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (1er Régiment Parachutiste d'Infanterie de Marine) (1er RPIMa:SAS), is the heir of the World War II French SAS units ('French' Squadron, 1 SAS from 1er Compagnie, BIA; 3 and 4 SAS, ie, 3 BIA and 4 BIA, subsequently 3 RCP and 2 RCP). Its official motto is "qui ose gagne", the French translation of "Who Dares Wins". The Regiment's operators are also nicknamed "les SAS français" (the French SAS). Recently, the Regiment created a Squadron (3rd Company) Patrouilles SAS or "PATSAS" (SAS Patrols), using heavily-armed jeeps for raids behind enemy lines (particularly with 22 SAS and the Australian SAS in Afghanistan).

Germany - The German Army Special Forces unit, the KSK (Kommando Spezialkräfte), is also closely patterned on the SAS.

Greece - Greek Special Forces, originate from the post-war ?.?.?. (spelled L.O.K. from "Loxoi Oreinon Katadromon" - Mountain Raider Detachments) which were the post-WWII successor of the "Sacred Band" ("Ieros Loxos"). The "Sacred Band" was formed in 1942 in the Middle East from a group of dedicated volunteers, former officers and officer cadets who relinquished their rank and commission in order to fight as regular soldiers. Under their C.O. - Col. Christodoulos Tsigantes, they fought alongside the SAS and SBS in the Libyan desert and the Aegean as well as with General Leclerc's Free French in Tunisia. It is no coincidence that modern Greek Special Forces insignia, bears a distinct resemblance to their brethren SAS insignia, with a winged, upward pointing sword and underscribed motto "? ?????? ????" (essentially translation of "Who Dares Wins").

Hong Kong - The Hong Kong Special Duties Unit is a part of the Hong Kong P