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To join the British Special Air Service, soldiersmust have a minimum of three years' service withthe armed forces, and have a good grounding inbasic military skills. Recruits are normally aged intheir early to mid-twenties, yet the regiment willaccept soldiers much older. The qualities neededfor SAS selection are motivation, determinationand aptitude.Without doubt SAS selection is one of thetoughest military courses in the world. lt involvesphysical training one would expect t0 find in anOlympic athlete. lt entails stretching the mind tothe many and varied new techniques the SASsoldier must learn. Weapons, survival, escapeparachuting, skiing, demolitions and languages,

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BARRY DAVTES joined the Welsh Guards in1962 at the age of j Z. Some tour years tatur, n,volunteered for the SAS, passing ,rf*rtion *hil,winning the trophy for ,Best Shot,. He *rrinrO-with the SAS for 1g years, during which ,rrr,r,he was involved in skirmishe, tfrrt.rrrr;;;;globe. He saw action in the Middle East, irrf rOingthe 0man war, and fought in the jungle, oi Ooif.r "South East Asia and South Rmerica. To*rrO, in,end of his career, he worked alone in th, ;r;;;_"country of Northern lreland.One major event in his SAS career was taking partin the Mogadishu hijack. Together *,rn on, ornqthe British prime Minister sent Barry Oruiu, toassist the German Government rescue ol g2people from the Lufthansa 757 . Withtheir directhelp the Germans stormed the aircraft, killi;;--three of the four terrorists, while freeing att ttreremaining hostages. For this

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Barry Davies

Also by Barry DaviesSURVIVAL IS A DYINC ART

FIRE MACICCOINC HOSTILE

SAS ESCAPE & EVASIONSHADOW OF THE DOVE

SAS RESCU ESAS SELF DEFENCE CUIDE

THE SAS ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

forNrNG THE SASHow to get in and what it's like

Sirlliwirk & f;r

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Contentslint publihd 1998 tJy Sidgoick & ra.Lsnao imprint of Mamillar hblishcB Ltd25 Ecclenon Place, t-trdon SWIW 9NFmd BditrgstoleAssGntd @mpmis thEudout the mrld

ISBN o 243 06:26 2 Author.S NOte vicopdght @ B&y Davi.s rgqa List of illustrations vii

'rh. right or Bmy Dali.r b b idennred d thc lntroduction ixrurhor of this eort h6 b.m Mrtd by him in ac@rdmcewitl the copyright, DsisB md lhtcnt! A.t 1e33. 1 SAS Histor', lAll righB Berved. No pan ofthn p$[atio, may brcproduced, storcd h or itrEoducd iDto . retrifl.r srs,*, o, 2 PrcPaiation 13tansmitt d, in dy {om, or by any m.a (.l.ctonic, Dahdicd,photcopfn& rc@rdins or orhwise) withour thc prior Mitr.n 3 Route Selection 36pcmision ofrh. publbho. Any p.l@ who do6 rny u@uthoriadet h relition to this publication my b.liable b dimiEl 4 Crntinuation Training 74prossution od ciyil claim for dmgs. 5 Suryival Training 93.A crp ot los! rcord fd this boor is .qnabk &om 6 FiShting in Different Terrain: ,ungle/Desert and Arttic 115th Bntish ubnry. 7 SAS Squadrons 141PhobgF d by lDqp. Iadon IrdPn ed by M.clqrr ofchzthm plc, chathm, Ke 8 Attti-Tcrrorist Team 167

9 SAS Operations 192lndex 211

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Author's Note

I should like to emphasize that all the training related to inthis book is taken from personal accounts or that of other SASsoldiers. From time to time SAS Training Squadron change itsformat and programme to suit the Regiment's requirements,anc'l there could well be slight differences to what I have por-trayed. [,ikewise, this book does not reflect any official viewson preparation for SAS selection. For security reasons and toprotect those still serving, the training routes have beenchanged from those used by the SAS.

MOTIVATION, THE DECIDINC FACTOR'When technology has provided the best possible equipmentand materials in accordance with the latest scientific theory andthe greatest personal experience, when men have been clothed,equipped and declared medically fit, there is still one factorwhich must be taken into account. This is the human element,and in particular the motives involved.'

List of lllustrations

I. Exhausted Candidate on SAS Selection.2. Map Reading is vital to passing SAS Selection.3. 'l'he Story Arms.4. SAS Beret & Belt.5. 'l'he Killing Flouse.(r. 'l'lre Ml6/203.7. SAS Anti-terrorist Soldier.t{ SAS t-iring a Crossbow.(). l(ilnge Work.10. Arwcn.I I. lrrsitlc the l(lling House.I2. l;our-Man Patrol.13. Oaptr,rre .|'l . lrrtcrrogation.15. Strrvival Kit.lrr. I Ising :r Condom as a Water-bottle.17. SA,S Signaller.Itl. f rrngle Patrr>I.I (). ltivcr ( )rossing..10. l,c.rtl Scortt..11. Militrrr"y 'l'rrrinirrg irr Norway.2f . Morl.rr I'ositiott irt ()ttrrttt.l.l. llclrintl lrncrrrv Lirtcs..1,1. SAS Mctlit irt At'tiott.

Hunt

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f otNrNG THE SAS25. Treating a local Arab.26. Satellite Demolitions.27. Pebble Island.28. SAS Linguist.29. Hearts & Minds.30. Mountain Troop.31. Boat Troop.32. Divers.33. Air Troop.34. Mobility Troop..35. Entry Techniques.36. Anti-tcrrorist Assault.37. llclrincl the lines in the Gulf War.

lntroduction

t-ifty years on the Special Air Service (SAS) is a householdrriune) both at home and abroad. When its soldiers do batde,rrcws of it spreads like wildfire. SAS actions are normally swiftlrrrl very hard-hitting - then to enforce the myth, they fadehack into obscurity. What the public has seen of them, Iike thespcctacular hostage-rescue at the Iranian Embassy in London,conlirms the truth about the many other unseen actions. Yetli'w see the SAS for what it is: two hundred men, the best ourc()untry can find, rigorously selected, highly trained, and with,r spirit to dare. They will go willingly, deep behind enemylirrcs, take on incredible odds, and risk their lives to defendwlrlt our country deems defendable.'l'his book covers most requirements for those wishing toioirr thc SAS, how to get fit enough, how to conduct yourself,.urtl what you can expect once you enter a Squadron. It alsolrighlights some of the reasons for joining (exciting action-p.rckctl lifb, exhilarating travel experiences, not forgetting SASspcciirlist pay). This gives you a full picture of life in a Regimentwlrich, in our world of terror, has become one of the mostrcspcctcd and feared Special Forces units ever.

SAS sclcction is hard, there is no other way to say it. Thelrlsis ol'tlrc sclcction system is there to ensure that the valuabletrrrining tirnc is only spent on the very best recruits. In thetlietiorr.rry, thc vcrl'r'sclcct'r'ncans tcl pick out the best or

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IOINING THE SASmost suitable. The adjective means chosen for excellence. AtHereford nobody picks or chooses the candidate, they mustearn their place. It's more a case of the individual selectinghimself. It's what makes the SAS unique: a group of individualswith the capacity to act as one.Many arrive at Hereford but few manage to stay - if youdo try, give it everything vou have, plus that litde bit more'

CHAPTER ONE

SAS H istory

In the world of Special Forces, whether they are used in war()r counter-terrorism, one name in particular stands above thercst: the Special Air Service SAS. Originating inWorldWar II as:r 'rcnegade'unit, it has since developed an awesome reputationbased upon its bravery skills and professionalism. The SASsoldier is trained to the peak of his potential: the ultimatetlcfir'rition of a proftssional warrior.'Ihe SAS is used primarily for putting down insurgencies,or f

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lll

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lolNlNG THE SASof sport. IIr battle he possessed qualities of leadership, whichset hirn apart from most men; he was awarded four DSOs'The sAS patrols first fought in the North African desertin world war II. They used the American willy, a jeep thatwas light, agile and robust, ideally suited to desert conditionsbecause of its four-wheel drive. Fitted with 0.5 Browning heavymachine-guns or twin Vickers 'K', originally used by the RAFas an aircraft gor, they would load up with fuel or water beforedriving hundreds of miles to attack the Germans behind thelines. These hit-and-run raids were highly successful, especiallyin d,estroying vast numbers of enemy aircraft'Later on, men of the first SAS were parachuted behindGerman lines to support the Normandy landings' Duringseveral of these operations, many men were captured by theGermans and executed. Hitler realized that the SAS were verydangerous and issued orders that all members were to beexecuted when caPtured.The birth of the modern day 22 SAS, came into being becauseof the communist troubles in Malaya between 1950 and 1959.In the early 1950s, a British officer, Mike Calvert, who wasserving in Hong Kong at the time, was instructed to appraisethe communist influence in Malaya. Calvert, a tough soldierwho had commanded an sAS brigade during the last war,innovated the idea of the Malayan scouts (sAS). He instigatedmany of the basic tactics that exist today, the most famousbeing the four man patrol. They performed and operated undervery hostile conditions in enemy territory. The Malayan scoutsformally became known as 22 SAS and Calvert instructed ]ohnwoodhouse to return to England to set up a formal selectioncourse. The concept of that original selection course haschanged little, although much more is expected of the modern-day SAS candidatc.As tlrc SAS csta[lisIcd itscll'rts rt rcgtll.rr l]ritislt tlllit, tltc

SAS HISTORYtasks set them grew thick and furious. Between 1959 and 1967the SAS were active in Borneo and Aden. Of these, lebelAkhdar in 1959, was the scene for a daring SAS operation.Some seventy men from D Squadron, were transported directlyt'r"om the jungle to the desert, where they immediately wentinto action. During the assault on lebel Akhdar, a youngOaptain by the name of Peter de la Billidre won the MilitaryMcclal for his actions.

The role of the SAS during the Aden conflict was limited toup-country patroliing and a 'Keeni-Meeni' unit which would()[)crate in the towns. The SAS found it difficult to come togrips with this conflict because of the deteriorating politicalsitrurtion and the number of enemy fhctions involved.l\y 1970, the Oman war had erupted and the SAS wereb.rck to their fighting role again, supporting the new Sultan.rg,.rinst the communist backed Adoo guerrillas. By this time,tlrc Kceni-Meeni parols had developed into the Counter-ttcvolutionary Warfare (CRW) unit at Hereford. This wasrrrrrinly due to the rise in terrorism both at home and inter-rr;rtiortally. While Northern Ireland soon became the provingglouud for CRW training, the anti-terrorist team, knownorigin:rlly as the SP team, was set into motion to combatirrtcrnational terrorism. The SP team remained fairly secretrrrrtil such headline makers as the Mogadishu hijack and theIr'.rrri:rrr l-irnbassy siege. Despite such media coverage, the SASstill nrlintained their combat capabilities) as was seen duringtlrc trrrlklands War. Even here, many of their actions wentrrrrrcportccl to the general public.I)rrring l99l , the world watched as the Gulf War unfolded,lrlirrging ncw and wondrous weapons to the theatre of war.,\tc.rlth bonrbcrs rrttcl 'sntart' bombs gripped the world'sirrr.rg,irrrrtiorr. 'l'hc SAS w.ts usccl along with other special forcesorr tl.ttttlcslinc tttissiotts, [rttt rhcir rolc

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f orNlNG THE SAStask, patrols were sent deep behind enemy lines, at great risk,to gather intelligence, hunt Scud missiles and to sabotageequipment and the war-machine infrastructure. These were'low-tech' operations that often had as much success) if notmore, than the vaunted 'high-tech' weaponry much belovedof the media.

More recently, the SAS have been involved in other roles'In Albania they were called upon to rescue a British couplewho ran an orphanage as well as the children who lived there.This was achieved with maximum efficiency and minimumfuss and was a successful mission, even though the couple andchildren decided to rerurn to the orphanage a fbw days iater.In Bosnia, as part of the peace-keeping effilrts, the SAS hasbeen involved, in the arrest ofwar criminals. Their actions madethe lreadlines in July 1997 after they shot dead one of thel'l-lcn thcy werc arresting. The man, Simo Drljaca, upon beingchallcnged, pulled a gun on the soldiers and shot one in theleg. It wirs this imprudent action that cost him his life''fhere is no doubt that the SAS will continue to be Britain'selite fighting force for many years to come. Who knows: theremight be a place for you among the pages of its as yet unwrittenhistory.

SAS TIFEIf you have a reputation for fighting in your parent unit, Isuggest that you lose it before you get to Herefbrd. The SASprove themselves on the Brecon Beacons and on operations,not in bars. F-ighting is considered a sign of bad discipline inthe SAS, as is scruffiness and lack of punctuality- Cletting stu-pidly drunk and misbehaving, even if it is a minor oflbnce, willmean alt imnrCclialc rctttrtt t

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f orNrNc THE sAshas a grudge against you is to be super nice to them - theyget really confused.

Don't let the fact that you are badged SAS go to your head.In Hereford, you are just a small cog in a very large machine.You will encounter other units of the army, most of which areinvolved with supporting you. They are often looked downupon, or dismissed as unimportant. This is not so in the SAS.You must recognize that these so called 'crap hats' are anessential part of a fighting army. Bear in mind that without thesignals guy sitting at his desk your messages will not getthrough. The army chefs not only cookyour meals at Hereford,they also travel abroad with the regiment, if you upset themor treat them with less respect than they deserve, you may findyourself eating crap. As an elite fighting soldier, you are nomore important than the logistics, intelligence or communi-cations pcrsonnel who support you. Without them, you willtre going nowhere.

Self--discipline is the most important discipline in the SAS.The code of self-discipline has taken nearly fifty years to estab-Iish, so that each man knows what is expected of him. There isa great interdependency between officers, NCOs and troopers;anyone who is not dependable, no matter what his rank, willbe binned. When you are new to the regiment, a good tip isto listen to what the officers have to say - many started out astroopers, and what they don't know is not worth hearing. Oneinteresting part of SAS life is that most senior NCOs remainwith the regiment and get commissioned.

COURAGEThe SAS have become part of a modern mythology - newheroes for this agc wirurilrg baftlcs rrrrd rrchicving tlaring fbats.

SAS HISTORYAlthough some of the stories are true, others have become sodistorted by the media that they bear little resemblance to thetruth. Little wonder then that the public often has a completernisconception about who the SAS are and what they do. Theycan be portrayed as super-heroes, or on some occasions, gun-toting 1,obs - their missions becoming acts of glory or acts ofru n warranted aggression.

The truth is rarely heard, as the SAS has a policy of keepingtluiet on most things. But one thing is certain: the history ofthe SAS is firll of true stories of bravery, both physical andrnoral, performed by men who were not super-heroes or super-fhugs, but just professional soldiers getting on with what theywcre trained to do.Many recent books go on about the courageous episodesthc SAS have achieved. Courage is an imporrant attribute in theSAS and the following pages contain examples of extremee()urage shown by men in desperate situations. There are twotypcs of courage: physical courage, and, more importantly asl.rr rs the SAS is concerned, moral courage. Physical courage.rlorrc can often cause a man to act foolishly in the face oftllrrgcr for fear of otherwise looking cowardly. In this typeot'siruadon, that courage is more a product of pride or ego -thc nran will be less worried about any danger and moreworried about what others will think of him. This sort of:rtlitude is not desirable in the SAS.Moral courage is rarer and tempers bravery with wisdom.'l'his trait ensures greater chances of survival in any situationas tlccisions are based upon common sense rather than ego orlbrrr of criticism. A man with moral courage will not only workwcll in a tcam, but also by himself - he doesn,t need praiseirrrrl flattcry ro kcep going. This type of person will be able tot'o;rc witlr rrrost prcdicaments - even capture and interrogationhy tlrc ctrcnty alrd cntl up with an even greater strength andscll rcspcct.

l6l t7l

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f orNrNG THE SASSo what makes these elite soldiers risk their lives? There

are probably many reasons) but the first and foremost is theprotection of our 'freedom'. In much of the Western world,this concept sounds old-fashioned and something we all takefor granted. But let me tell you, I have fought in many partsof the world, where oppression, death and destruction aretreated as normal. World politics are extremely complex andfew people realize that what happens in a far-off country canaffect our own. Sometimes it is difficult to understand why oursoldiers have to go and take part in someone else's conflict,but politically there is always a good reason.

The SAS have been involved in many such foreign conflicts,and sometimes a story will reach the public back home andbecome part of the mythology. The fbllowing incidents helpto illustrate typical SAS bravery. Before you arrive at Flereford,rcad these and ask yourself, 'Could I have done that?'

Wl'rcn Peter de la Billidre was colonel of the Regiment henrade scveral changes to the way in which selection was taught,fcaring that good soldiers were failing due to excessive stand-ards imposed by the DS. Another of his very wise decisionswas to decree that every soldier passing into the Regimentwould purchase and read Lord Moran's The Anatorny 0fCowrage.

THE BATTTE OF MIRBATOn 19 Ju,ly 1972, just before dawn, a batde took place at theport of Mirbat in the Dhofar province of Oman that was inevery way as astounding as Rorke's Drift. A group of SASsoldiers, heavily outnumbered by enemy forces, managed tohold their position until relief forces arrived. It was a remark-able feat by any standards and the oLrtcome seriously damagedthe morale of thc rcbcl firrcc:s.

SAS HISTORYAt this time, in the Port of Mirbat, a nine man Special AirScrvice civil action team was stationed in the town, traininglrnr tlrem hc

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,orNrNG THE SAShad been hit on the chin and his countryman, Takavesi, volun-teered to go to his aid. Kealy readily agreed, knowing thatLabalaba would not have reported a trivial injury. Undercovering fire, Takavesi dashed to the gun pit and found Laba,field dressing on his wound, still firing the gun. The big man,ignoring his injury, indicated the unopened ammunition boxesand the need to keep firing.

Takavesi decided to try and get some help from the DGFort and ran the few metres to the door. Eventually his franticbanging was heard and an Omani gunner, Walid Kharnis,answered it. Together they ran back to the gun pit, but just asthey reached it, Walid was hit in the stomach by a bullet andfell, badly wounded.The DG fort was now being hit by rockets and was slowlylrcirrg pounded apart. From the roof of the BATT house, Kealycoulcl sce that the Adoo had now breached the perimeter fencerrrrri wcrc advancing in waves. He had already called for air-strikc sr.rpport, but the chances of that were pretty dismal asthc cloud cover was low enough to make such an operationextremely dangerous. He watched in despair as the Adoomoved ever closer to the fort and the gun pit.By now, the 2S-pounder was firing at point-blank rangeinto the charging attackers. Suddenly Takavesi was hit andslumped back against the sandbags. Despite being badlywounded, he picked up his SLR and continued to fire at theenemy. Not long after, Laba was hit too, this time fatally inthe neck. Upon losing communication with the gun pit, Kealyand an SAS medic, Trooper Tobin, decided to move forwardto render assistance to the gun pit, despite the risk. Kealymade another desperate call to HQ for back-up and a casevacchopper. The two men then worked their way forward underheary fire.

When they reached the pit thcy cliscovcrcrl just how g5ravethe situatiorl was: Lab:r lay tlcrrd, .trrrl 'lirkrtvcsi .trtd W.rlitl wcrc

SAS HISTORYtradly wounded. Tobin assessed his priorities and immediatelywcnt to work, setting up a drip for Walid. Meanwhile, Kealyirnd Takavesi continued their desperate defence of the pit,picking off Adoo as they appeared ar its edge. The fightingwas fierce, and Tobin was caught in the face by a bullet. Hefbll, mortally wounded by the side of the big Fijian, Laba.Ail seemed lost when suddenly there was a huge explosion:the SOAF Strikemaster jets had arrived, despite the low cloud.'l'he jets, with their heavy cannon, drove the Adoo into a largewadi just outside the perimeter fence. There, they dropped a500 pound bomb on them. Meanwhile, more relief had turnedtrp in the shape of SAS G Squadron, which by luck had beenbased only a short distance away. Upon hearing of the BAfTtcam's plight, twenty-two of them, under the command ofOaptain Alastair Morrison, assembled an impressive array ofwcapons, loaded themselves on to three choppers and madethc thirty mile journey in ten minutes. Due to the low cloudt hcy had landed to the south of Mirbat where they instandynrct with an Adoo patrol. Needless to say, this was quicklyrrcrrtralized.Members of G Squadron engaged the enemy in shortrunning batdes. The Adoo were soon in retreat,leaving behindtlrirty-eight dead, countless wounded and taken prisoner. Atlirst it was safe enough for the casevac helicopters to land. Thelirst to be taken out were Trooper Tobin and Walid Khamis.'lrtkavcsi was also seriously wounded and covered in blood butwils still managing to raise a smile. In fact, his wounds weresuch that a normal man would have died, but his courage wasso grcat that he insisted on walking to the chopper without.tssistancc.llack at Mirtrat, Captain Alastair Morrison reorganized itsrlcll'nccs antl sct atrout the task of collecting the Adoo dead.ttrtl wounrlctl. In conrparison with the Adoo numbers, oftlrirty ciglrt tlcatl arrtl ovcr Iiliy wourrdctl, thc SAS had lost

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f orNrNc THE sAstwo, with two seriously injured; the Gendarmes had lost oneman with one injured, and the Omanis had one man dead.

The attack on Mirbat was the last great attack by the Adooin the war and its failure left them completely demoralized. Aproud warrior people, they had been humiliated by defeatwhen the odds were so heavily in their favour. They lost someof their best men in that battle. They could not have knownthat a second SAS squadron was so near or that the SOAFpilots would have shown such nerve and expertise. Above all,they could not have predicted the bravery ofthe men dedicatedto holding the gun pit at whatever cost to themselves.In more recent times of trouble, such as the GulfWar, newstories of rescue emerged. The story of 'Bravo Two Zero'and'The One That Got Away' both tell different accounts of apatrol isolated in the middle of the Iraqi desert and beinghotly pursued by the enemy. The patrol had been inserted bychoppcr, deep behind enemy lines. Their mission was tootrscrvc the movement of Iraqi Scud missiles that were threat-ening Israel. Almost immediately, they were discovered by theenemy and engaged in a fire-fight. The patrol then made a runfor the Syrian border. Hunted every inch of the way, uavellingin adverse weather conditions, they laid waste to over twohundred Iraqi soldiers. The outcome was that one man madeit, three died, and four were captured. The iatter were torturedbut released at the end of the war.

These are just a few events where SAS men have risked, orgiven their lives to help others. There have been many otherindividual accounts, and doubdess there will be many more inthe future. On operation, SAS men trust each other implicidy.It is the cornerstone that sets them apart from others. Thinkabout these stories before you think about joining the SAS.Could you have committed yourself as these men didl

CHAPTER TWO

Preparation

SPECIAT FORCES BRIEFING COURSE'l'hc SAS now run several weekend courses) which give a lot ofirrfirrmation to potential candidates for Special Forces selection.Mrrny soldiers arrive at Hereford totally unprepared; this serves.ts a disadvantage to both the individual and the Regiment.'l'hosc attending will get a brief insight into the role of Speciall;orccs, a physical assessment and good advice on getting fit.

fotNlNG INSTRUCTTONS FOR SFBCStrrtlcnts will be told how to find their way to Sterling Lines.rrrrl wlrat time to arrive, this is normally between 1600 andl7(X) hrs on a Friday evening. Those travelling by train needto lrrhc a taxi, indicating that the driver should take them totlrc Mrrin (iate Sterling Lines, they all know where it is. Fortlrosc arriving by car, make sure to do so in plenty of time asyou will nccr{ to book your car in at the guardroom on arrival.Mlkc surc you have your MOD Form 90 (Identity Card)witlr yorr,:rntl a copy of joining instructions. You will also need.r liit lirr Ooursc (lcrtificirrc or r.'. Mec'l 566 signed byyour unittttctlit'rrl olliccr slxlinl.r, y()u rlrc fit cnouglr to attend the course.All strrtlt'rrts rrrt' rctltrirctl lo t'orr{irrrr thcir attcntlirnce with

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f orNtNG THE SASTraining Squadron befbre joining the SFBC. If the dates arenot suitable, then students should get their unit clerk to liaisewith Training Squadron and arrange an alternative.

COURSE FORMATThe idea behind the SFBC course is to ensure that prospectivecandidates are fully aware and prepared before they attemptSpecial Forces selection. It is also an opportunity for the Regi-ment to look at you, to make sure they like what they see.You will be given a series of briefings and presentations,about the role of British Special Forces in general and specific-ally that of the SAS. This normally kicks offwith a brief fromTraining Squadron OC. Next you will be briefed on whatsclcction is all about and how best to prepare yourself,, thewcckcnd nrlrrnally goes as below.

Friday eveningBrief Map Memory TestTOETS Military Knowledge TestMap Reading Test lQ TestFirst Aid Test

SaturdayBefore breakfast you will do an APFA and a Bleep Test. Afterthis you will be taken to the swimming pool where you willbe required to jump offthe high diving board. This is to assessyour initial aptitude for parachute training. To be honest Ihave never quite worked out how they calculate this * justjump into the water to pass. During your visit to the p

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IOININC THE SASDRESS AND EQUIPMENT FOR THOSEATTENDINC SFBC

DPM (Disruptive Pattern Material) Combat Suits, lightweights arebest. You will require two sets, one of which is used for swimming.

Boots - 2 pairs. (Do not use the new flat surface boot; make surethe boot has a heel.)Training shoes - 2 pairs. (One is used for swimming.)Normal unit working dress.Civilian tracksuit and running shorts - 2 sets.Bergen (lt is advisable to prepack your bergen with a weight of

35lbs.)Sleeping bag.Helmet Mk 6 type.Belt with water bottles - 2.Notcbook, pens etc.Wrshing .rnrl shaving kit.

'l'lrcrc rrrc n() spccial SAS secrets to passing selection: thereis only rcality. 'l'his reality comes down to your age and howwell you have prepared yourself prior to arriving at Hereford.Your chances of passing are a great deal less if you are overthirty, or spend most of your day in a sedentary occupation,for example behind a desk or driving a tank. A good standardof fitness can only be achieved by hard work - there are noshort cuts. There is a great deal of truth in the saying: 'Nopain, no gain.'You may see some candidates at Hereford whothink that they have found 'magic formulas' and short cuts tomake them better performers. These hypochondriacs bringwith them all sorts of vitamin pills, supplements and concoc-tions, believing them to be superior to a good training routineand diet. Don't follow this route. Remember, a god breakfastis far better than a handfr,rl olvitenrin pills.This chaprtcr c()vcl's the sl .rrrtlrrrtl ol'filnt'ss rctllirctl rrntl

PREPARATIONhow to achieve it. Prior to arriving at Hereford for selection,it is essential that the candidate undertakes a hard-working,self-imposed training schedule. To build up energy, a goodcalorie-rich diet is also recommended. Other skills can be learntprior to selection, and these should be practised during thisbuild-up period. For example, learning to read a map andcompass accurately will help you navigate well during selection,particularly when visibility is poor. And talking of visibility, anunderstanding of weather will also be helpful when you are onthe Brecon Beacons.

HOW FIT ARE YOU?Ask yourself how fit you are and how long it will take you toprepare. You should be making this decision long before youipply to join the SAS. The old saying, 'life is what you makeit', is true. I have always believed that everyone can do what-cvcr they want to in life as long as they are motivated. If youhave your health, your physical state and level of fitness are iny()ur own hands.

SAS lip: I once knew a lady, aged about thirty-five, whoworked for an lnternational drugs company. The clarity ofher eyes was the first thing you noticed. The second thingwas her peach-like skin. When I asked her how shemanaged to stay so beautiful, she replied, 'We are what wecat.' This lady virtually ate nothing but fruit. She was also akeren hill walker and could keep up with the best.

llcing physically fit and healthy depends very much on yournrcnlll attituclc. I)ctcrnrinatin plays the largest part, butlilt'stylc is ulso cxtrcrncly irnport:rnt. Cictting through SASselct'tion is dircctly rclrrtcrl lo lilncss.rnd thc soldiers that dot16 I tt7 I

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,orNrNG THE SASget through reach a standard of fitness that will last them foryears. After selection, the continued training and lifestyle ofthe SAS soldier carries on with this process, honing his bodyand mind to their peak of performance. If you don't believeme watch how some of the older DS (Directing Staff) seem tofly around the Beacons with ease.

FOODFood is the fuel that feeds our body and keeps us going. Itprovides the building blocks for growth and repair. What youeat will have a direct effect on how your body performs, onyour health, and how long you live. In the normal course ofevents people watch what food they eat to control their weightantl aclrieve an attractive figure. Well, forget about countingthc crrlorics. F,at what you want. It is advisable to eat a mixtureof' firtxls s() that your body gets an even supply of proteins,flts and carbohydrates.

Eating is one of the more pleasant daily functions of life.Food offers a wonderful variety of taste, texture and smell, andthe kitchen at }lereford is staffed by some of the best chefsin the army. During selection, eat and enjoy all the food youcan cram into your stomach, 2500 calories are the normalintake for an active man, but you should eat 4000-5000calories at least.

SAS fip: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, sodon't skip it for the sake of an extra half hour in bed. Onlong marches, get as much food down you as possible beforeyou start and make yourself some egg and bacon sand-wiches for when you are on the move. Rr:member to eatbefore you slirrl lo g,t.t lircrl lhotrgh, [rlr .r llhysi

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f orNrNG THE SASA candidate coming from a parachute regiment or infantryunit will most likely be fairly fit, but you don't have to comefrorn these units to be in the SAS. Age is a very importantfactor. Men are at their peak of fitness between 2l and 25.In

this age group most soldiers are naturally fit. Between the agesof 26 and 30, fitness begins to lessen as daily work and themarriage routine take their toli. This does not mean that fitnesscannot be maintained. Over the age of 30, it gets harder tomaintain a good level of fitness, but you can still try out forselection - many men over the age of 30 have successfullycompleted it and become members of the Regiment.

WARM UPLcirrninl4 t() warm up properly, especially before you start:rny cxcrcisc, is vcry important. This should be part of your.rcrobic cxcrcisc irncl need only take a few moments. Settingofl'cold will incrcase the possibility of damage to joints andmusclcs. A good technique is as follows: Start by deepbreathing. Fully exhale, then inhale slowly to the count often. Exhale also for ten counts. Repeat this three times. Thepurpose of this is to increase the amount of oxygen beingdelivered to the muscles, which in turn produces energy.Oxygen is vital for the body to function properly. One of themost important things I have learnt about exercise is thatthe body needs fresh air. To give you an analogy, I once askeda farmer friend why he was watering his potatoes when it hadbeen raining non-stop for the past few days. His answer wasthat the common spud would absorb any amount of water,thus improving its size and weight. Similar principles apply tothe human body and its intake of air.

Whenever an SAS solclicr finishcs sclcetion, hc is as fit ashe will evcr bc hc will litcr.rlly glow.'l'his is bccrrusc lhc hrrrtl,

PREPARATIONmountainous terrain ofselection causes much forced breathing,which in turn gets a lot of fresh air into the body. The oxygenis absorbed by the blood which then feeds it to the muscles andbrain, creating extra strength, stamina, energy and alertness.

SAS Tip: do your warm-up exercises the moment you getoff the trucks, they only take a few moments. Do not wearyour bergen while doing warm-up exercises.

Touching Your ToesStand upright and stretch your arms into the air above yourhead. Bend your knees bringing your arms down in front ofyou and between your legs. Return to the standing position.Repeat 5 times.

Squatsl,ower yourself from the standing position to a squat; thenstand up. Keep your back straight. Repeat 5 times.

Knee HugFrom the standing position, keep your balance while you pullyour left knee up to your chest. Hold the knee in position fora few seconds, before releasing and repeating with the rightlcg. Repeat 3 times with each leg.

Lunge StretchWith your feet slightly apart, bend your knees then stretchbackwartls with one lcg, while bending the other knee. At thesirrrrc finrc rlisc yotrr cllrows rrbovc your head, forcing thembuckwarrls sliglrtly. ltclrc:rt 3 tinrcs with both lcgs.

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f orNrNG THE SASrRAr N I NG ^'Us"P#,tr3lill'o' sru DENrs

This programme is aimed at potential students who wish toattend SAS selection. You should start preparing yourself atleast six months in advance, this will allow you the maximumchance of passing the course.

Always warm up and stretch before exercise. Eat a goodbreakfast, and drink plenty of fluids not alcohollTake good careof your feet by taping up potential blister hot-spots and keeptoe nails trimmed. If you develop an injury stop and seekmedical advice. If you are unable to run for a few days due toinjury concentrate on your swimming. Do not over train.

TRAINING DEFINITIONSAll rtrns slrould trc prcceded by a half-mile warm-up jog. Ideallytlris slroukl bc donc on a flat, grassy surface. Running takesmany firrms:Ioggng Dress warmly and run at a pace where you can holda normal conversation.Normal Rate Run at the same pace making sure you canmaintain a steady rhythm with your breathing, this should bebetrveen 7O and 80 per cent of best efficrt pace.Best Effort Run as fast as you can.Hill Repetitions Find a steep slope, which takes no more thana minute to sprint to the top of, or mark off a start andfinishing point on a long incline. Sprint up the hill, then jogdown to recover. Build up from I repetition to 3 repetitions.Repetition Training Run at best cflirrt ftrr I nrinutc, jog forone minute. Start lry doing this 3 tirrrcs, brriklirrg tr1'r to 6 of

each. Once you can run and jog comfortable for I minuteintervals, increase the distance to 90 seconds and so on.Orienteering This involves running around a set route usinga map and compass. You should introduce this type of traininginto your programme at the earliest opportunity.March The SAS terminology for walking with a bergen overthe hills. Try to maintain a steady pace walking ali the time"Do not be tempted to run down hill during your build uptraining, it is the easiest way to injure yourself.

TRAININC PROGRAMMEWeek 1

MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday

MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday

3 mile jogRest5 mile jogSwim 10 lengthsRest5 mile jogRest

Weeks 2 and 35 mile jog. Swim 15 lengths in theafternoon5 mile jog3 mile best effortSwim 15 lengths. Jog 3 miles in theafternoon20 hill repsj mile jogItt.sl

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MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday

MondayTuesday

WednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday

MondayTuesday

WednesdayThursdayFriday

Week 4Swim '15 lengths. 3 mile jog in theafternoonSimple circuit trainingRestRepetition training, about 5 milesSwim 15 lengthsRestRest

Week 56 miles (steady). Swim 20 lengths in theafternoonCircuit training. Hill repetitions in theafternoon5 mile jog. Swim 20 lengths in theafternoonCircuit training. 5 mile jog in theafternoon5 mile jog. BFT in the afternoonB miles normal runRest

Week 65 mile jog. Circuit training in theafternoonSwim 25 lengths. Hill repetitions in theafternoon5 mile jog. 5 miles in the afternoonSwim 25 lengths5 mile jog. Cir

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WednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday

MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday

MondayTuesday

Wednesday

ThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday

Circuit training. 3 mile jog in theafternoonSwim 35 lengthsRest10 mile march with bergen (35lbs) 2hrs(do not run)'10 mile march with bergen (35lbs) 2hrs(do not run)

Week 10Rest5 mile normal running.Swim 30 lengths.RestBFT and circuit training.Rest'10 mile march with bergen (35lbs), thrSOmins (do not run)

Week 11Rest5 mile jog. Circuit training in theafternoonOrienteering in the hills. Aim to cover20 miles with a 45 lbs bergen3 mile jog. B mile march with bergen(30lbs) in the afternoon, t hr 40minsOrienteering in the hills. Aim to cover20 miles with a 45 lbs bergen5 mile jogRest

MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday

Week 125 mile march with bergen (35lbs), 'lhrBFTRest3 mile run best effort.RestRestB mile normal run

Aim to take a two-week break between finishing your trainingand attending Hereford. This will give the body time to restand any blisters time to heal.

A FEW THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN YOUARRIVE AT HEREFORD. Keep your mouth shut.. Always do exacdy what the instructors tell you, do not

argue.o Be grey let them notice how well you are doing naturally.. If someone asks your opinion, give it clearly without anybullshit; if you don't know the answer iust say so.o Do not try to cheat, the DS know every trick in the book.o When you are exhausted and think you can't go on, slowdown, but keep moving.o Take strength from every person who falls by the wayside,while he is being RTU'd, you will continue.o Do not skip meals. Eat all you can) you'll need the calories.o Do nothing that will bring you to the attention of the

instructors. If they don't like you then you'll probably failcvcn th()ug,h y

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overtake him, do not click at his heels, best stay withinrange of the lead group, but at the back.Do not follow the pack unless you are convinced thev aregoing the right way.Study the map; study the ground; study your compass.Know where you are at all times.Arrange your water supply so that you can drink on themove.Always have your rifle in your hand or immediately next toyou.Remember why you came here in the first place; you cameto pa.ss SAS selection.Do not take a walkman on selection. Not only will the DSbe highly displeased, but it also means you will nor beconcentrating on your route.If you make it through to continuation there is a very goodchance you'll remain in Hereford.

BERGENIt is vital that you get used to carrying a bergen (rucksack)around before you reach Hereford. Your bergen containseverything you need to survive - shelter, sleeping bag, clothes,food and water. It is like carrying your home around, and likea well-kept home, everything should be serviceable, clean andin its place.

On selection) you will be issued with a bergen as well asother items that you will need. First of all, check all yourequipment for damage; if there is any serious problem, get areplacement. The first few days, when you are in a groupcontrolled by an instructor, plet uscd to the fibel of your newbergen. Check if it is causing ilny prcssrtrc s[)()ts, s()rcncss ()rirritation ancl :rtljust it rrccor

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CTOTHINC AND HYGIENEMan is a tropical animal and needs clothes to protect himselfagainst the weather in most parts of the world. The humanbody functions best between 96" F and l02o F, above or belowthat, the person may start to decline in health. Therefore, themaintenance of body temperature and the prevention of injuryare just as important to a survivor as the finding of food andwater. Body temperatrre can be affected by climatic tempera-ture, wind, moisture loss, illness and shock. Heat loss or gaincan be caused by conduction, convection, radiation, evapor-ation, respiration and wind.

SAS Tip: from my own experience, the worst threat in anysurvival situation is wind chill. ln cold and wet conditionsit can rob the body of heat and in hot conditions it can robthe body of moisture. Do whatever is possible to prevent it.

Soklicrs arc n()w issued with the latest in protective clothing,but lng tcrm wear and tear will take its toll on any clothing, nornatter how good it is. If you allow dirt to build up on yourclothes, it will destroy the fibres and reduce the effectivenessof the garment. It is essential to keep your clothes clean.Washing them is the best way. If this is nor practicable, a dailyshaking or beating will do. Clothes exposed to warm, humidconditions, such as in the tropics, or close to the body willneed frequent washing and daily attention otherwise theywill rot. This is especially rrue of socks and underclothing,whose cleanliness is also essential to your health and hygiene.M*y native tribes clean their clothes by simply beating themagainst rocks. Ifyou choose to do this, take care of any buttonsand zips that may be damaged.

KEEP CTOTHING DRYWhen clothing gets wet, for example through perspiration orrain, its insulation properties become reduced and it will loseheat up to twenty-five times faster than dry clothing. Ifthe wet is then combined with wind, a swift death may be theresult. Therefore it is essential to keep clothes as dry as possible .During physical exertion, ensure that there is some ventilation.If they do get wet, make every effort to dry them. This canbe done by draping them over clean rocks warmed by the sun,or by hanging them from tree branches. If it is tactically pos-sible, build a fire and dry them by that, but never leave themunattended or else you might burn them. Take especial carewhen drying leather boots or gloves by a fire; leather, if driedtoo fast, has a tendency to stiffen and crack.

SAS lip: in sub-zero temperatures, wet clothing can be hungup to freeze. The moisture turns into ice particles that canthen be beaten out. This works best with tightly wovengarments. Also, if you manage to fall into water, roll aroundin powdery snow as this will 'blot up'the wet.

REPAIRThe Eskimos have a very good habit of repairing clothing assoon as it becomes damaged, thereby reducing any furtherdeterioration and maintaining the garment's effectiveness. It isgood to adopt this bit of wisdom, especially where windproofgarments are concerned. Another tip is to never cut up yourclothing for the sake of comfort. In hot climates, don't cutthe bottoms off your trousers in order to make shorts.

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LAYER SYSTEMIn cold conditions, one of the most tried and tested solutionsto keeping warm is to use a layer system. This traps warm airclose to the body by using several thin layers of clothing insteadof just one thick one.Your underclothes, that is, those next to your skin, shouldbe made of a thin, cotton material - something like a loose-fitting thermal cotton vest. This layer will absorb perspiration,thereby removing excess moisture from the skin. It is importantthat this layer is changed daily and washed.The next layer ideally should be a garment rhat can befastened at the neck and wrists, thereby trapping the warm air- for example, a Norwegian-type sweater.A third layer should consist of a fleece-type jacket that canbc casily rclnoved wl-ren the body begins to overheat.l.irrally, clrr>osc an ()uter garment that is wind and, if pos-siblc, w.rtcryrroof. 'l'his could be made from tightly woven('()ll()tr, polycotton, fibrc-pile material or nylon. It should belittctl with u grxrd htxrd protecting as much of the head andfhcc rrs 1>.ssiblc. (larmcnts made from such materials as Gore-tex are excellent as they allow trapped vapour to permeatethrough the fhbric, and reduce overheating.

OVERHEATING AND SWEATINCEven in cold weather it is possible to overheat, especially whilewearing layered clothing. Blood flow helps to distribute heatround the bodg so be aware of any tight or resrrictive clothingthat may hinder this blood flow. If you're wearing nrore thanone layer in the case of gloves and socks, make snrc that theouter layer is comfortably largc cr

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DEATING WITH BLISTERSNormally blisters are considered a minor injury and treated assuch. However on selection, the pain of a blister can becomedisabling out of all proportion to its medical significance. Blis-ters on selection are usually caused by ill-fitting boots, poorquality socks or loose laces combined with long periods ofhaving to walk over rough, uneven ground.Bad blisters can be avoided. First of all, the feet mustbe kept clean and dry - washed whenever possible, driedthoroughly and foot powder applied. If you notice sore spotson your feet while you are training, put some surgical spirit onthem to toughen them up.As soon as you feel a blister beginning, stop immediatelyand treat the problem. Put some antiseptic cream on the sorearea and then cover it with surgical dressing, without makingirny crc:rscs in the tape. If the sore area is on a toe, use micro-p()rc t.rpc instcad. If a blister has already formed, use a blisterrirrg so tltat pressure is kept offthe affected area.A severe blister is often filled with fluid, and can be mademore comfortable if the fluid is removed. To do this, do notburst it, as this leaves a larger area open to infection, but pierceit at the bottom edge using a sterilized needle. If possible,wash the foot thoroughly first. Then gently express the fluidand cover with a blister ring as described above. Make surethat the dressing is changed daily and rhe area cleaned. Afootbath of hot salry water is healing, comforting and helpsto harden the skin. Flowever, make sure that the area isthoroughly dried: blisters heal best when they are kept cleanand dry.

SAS lip: blisters can be extremely painful, even more sowhen the feet are cold. On selection, you may not havetime to attend to them. lf this is the r.,rsr.,

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CHAPTER THREE

Route Selection

This is probably the most imporrant chaprer in this book, asit shows similar routes to those used during SAS selection.However, it must be noted that many different routes havebeen used by Training Wing over the years. One thing thatneve r changes is the type of route - th.y are picked for being1r l.ncllsurc Of physical endurance and are extremely arduous.Whcrr y()r.r .lrc purshing yourself to the limit, both mentallyrrrrrl plrysically, lrcing able to navigate as if it were second natureis rr rcal ,'..rsr. N't,nly will it help you through selection butir will sti*d you i, good stead for the rest of your sAS career.l,earning to use a map and compass and gaining a good under-standing of the terrain is essential. With practice, you will beable to look at a map and visualize the contours and routes in3D form in your head. This is particularly useful in poorvisibiliry or at night.

SAS Tip: the basic map reading course I took on SalisburyPlain was one of the most instructive and useful courses Ihave ever done. I am convinced the skills I learned thereafforded me a great advantage and helped me to pass mySAS selection.

MAP READI NGThe correct use of a map and compass is a basic skill thatevery soldier can build upon until he is fully competent innavigational techniques. Other navigational skills, not de-pendent on a map and compass, can also be learned and areextremely useful in survival situations. These basic skills canalso prove useful ifyour compass or GPS gets lost. For example,during the endurance march of my selection I lost my comPassand was forced to use the miniature one from my survival tin.It was extremely difficult to see it at night and my fingers gotfrozenjust holding it - but it got me to the finishing point.

MAPSMaps vary in size and design, so take care and choose the rightone for the job. Soldiers are usually issued with OrdnanceSurvey maps that have a scale of l:50,000. Pilots, on the otherhand, are given maps with a larger scale, detailing a wider area.Survival maps, usually issued for operations behind enemy iinesduring war are generally printed on cloth instead of paper. [nmost cases you will be issued with a I:50,000 map for use onselection. Fold your maps with care, protect them in a mapcase or waterproof bag sealed with tape. Do not write on tberna.p or rnorh. it - e'ver.

SETTINC THE MAP BY INSPECTIONLook for an obvious and permanent landmark, for example ariver or a morrntain. Find the feature on the map and thensimply align thc nrrp t() thc landmark.

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Setting the map by inspection

SETTING THE MAP BY COMPASSPick a North-South grid line on your map and lay the compass,flat, along it. Then, holding the map and compass together,turn both together until the compass needle points North.

FINDINC A GRID REFERENCEWhen you look at the rnap, y()u will scc that it is covered inhorizontal and verticrrl light bluc lilrcs. 'l'hcsc arc called gridlincs and arc ()r'rc kil

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53

Finding a grid reference

TO TAKE A COMPASS BEARING FROM THE MAPOnce you have established where you are and where you wishto go, work out your route. Study the map and the distance.Plot the most logical roure to your objective, taking intoaccount the terrain and any obstacles. Divide your route upinto legs, finishing each leg close to a prominent feature ifpossible, i.e. a road bridge, trig point, of even the corner of aforest area. Take a bearing from where you are (call this pointA) to the feature at the end of your first leg (call this point B).Place one edge of the compass along the line adjoining A andB making sure that thc directiorr of travcl :rrrow is pointingin the way y()r.r wrlrrr t() g.. I l.ltl tlrc c.nrpass platc firrnly in

position and rotate the compass dial so that the lines engravedin the dial are parallel to the North-South grid lines on themap. Finally, read offthe bearing next to the line of the marcharrow" To walk on this bearing simply keep the magnetic arrowpointing North and follow the line of the march arrow.The bearing gives the direction to a certain point. It canbe defined as the number of degrees in an angle measuredclockwise from a fixed northern gridline (easting). The bearingfor North is always zero. Most compasses have scales of 360degrees, or more normally they are shown in mils with6400mils in a circle. Some compasses have both.

KEEPING ON COURSEThree fhctors will determine which route you take: the weather,the time of day, and what the terrain is like between you andyour final destination. In good visibility select features that areboth prominent on your map and visible to the eye. Once youhave taken a bearing, choose a feature along the line of marchand head towards it. This saves you constandy looking at yourcompass. It wiil also help keep you on course if the terrainpushes you off track, i.e. you are forced to contour or avoidsome obstacle. Success on selection is having confidence inyour rolrte selection, and not becoming a slave to yourcompass. Mistakes in poor visibility can be avoided if youconsult the map every time you meet a prominent feature.Careful study of the map should provide you with a mentalpicture of the ground relief which will in turn warn you of anyobstacles, such as river or marshland.

SAS Tip: the Brecon Beacons are extremely steep, andthere is a tentlenr:y during fog or poor visibility to wanderrlownhill wlrr.n you itrt'

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normally sufficient features to help keep you on course,although it is advisable to adjust the variation when plottingIong routes across barren land or travelling by vehicle.

FINDING YOUR POSITION BY COMPASSIf you become disorientated here is a simple way to pinpointyour position. Find a landmark that can also be identified onthe map. Point the compass at it, and, holding it steady, turnthe housing until North and the magnetic needle line up. Nowread off the bearing to the landmark. For example, say thebearing was 5700 mils, calculate the magnetic variation, whichis 40 mils, and subtract. This leaves us with a revised bearingof 5660, for which the compass dial can be adjusted. placingthc top right-hand edge of the compass against the landmarkpoint on rhe map, turn the whole compass until the magneticncctllc is pointing North in agreement with the map. Draw ali.c. lii.cl another landmark and repeat the whole procedure.For exirmplc, thc second bearing is 0650 mils, 0610 mils afteradjustment fbr the magnetic variation. Draw another line asabove. Your position is marked where the two lines cross.

GPS (GtOBAt POSITIONING SYSTEM)This new and high-tech method of navigation is worthyof a mention, as I have recently purchased one and found itrather good. Developed by the United Stare,s Departmentof Defence, the GPS system consists of twenty-four militarysatellites which orbit the earth, continually giving our the timeand their position. This informarion is picked up by a hand-held receiver unit on the earth. Reccivilrg a.d assimilatinginformation from scvcrirl satcllitcs, thc rcccivcr unif is then

able to fix a position and attitude at any point on the earth'ssurface. Most special forces and pilots are now issued with GPSnavigational aids.

Receiving units varg as do their accuracy. A deliberateerror, called Selective Availability (SA) was built into thesystem. This dithers the signals so that only a Coarse Acqui-sition (CA) can be obtained, therefore reducing accuracy toabout 40 mils. The SA can be overridden for military use bya'P' code and this gives an accuracy of about l0 mils. P codereceivers are very cosdy and are not available for civilian use.All users of GPS systems) however, can experience P code typeaccuracy during times of heavy military activiry when the SAis switched off.

HOW IT WORKSThe GPS receiver unit searches for and then locks on to anysatellite signals. The more signals you receive, the greater theaccuracy, but a minimum of four will do. The informationreceived is then collated into a usable form; for example, a gridreference, height above sea level, or a longitude and latitude.Individual requirements for use either on land or at sea can beprogrammed into the unit.By measuring your position in relation to a number ofknown objects, i.e. the satellites, the receiver is able to calculateyour position. This is called satellite ranging. It is also able toupdate your position, speed and track whilst you are on themove and can pinpoint future waypoints, thereby taking awaythe need for landmarks.

SAS Tip: the CPS requires tuition in its proper use, as it isnot a comJrass in the strictest sense. ln the UK, I havefounrl two morft.ls with goorl instructions: the Silver and the

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Carmin 40. The only way to learn either is to get out andpractice. Despite its excellent qualities, the CpS system canbe shut down, additionally the unit also eats batteries, sodon't forget your compass.

DIRECTION FINDING WITHOUT A COMPASSOompasses may be the easiest and most convenient method offinding a direction, but what if you are without onel Duringthe escape and evasion phase of selection you are most certainlygoing to be without a compass. Don't worry: there are a fewother methods of finding direction. All that is needed is a bitof intelligence and maybe some sticks and stones.

THE SUNStick and Stone Method

On a sunny day find or cut a stick about one metre longand push it upright into some level ground. The stick willcast a shadow.Using a small stone, mark the end of the shadow as accur-ately as possible.After fifteen to twenty minutes the shadow will havemoved. Using the second small stone, mark the tip of thenew shadow.On the earth, draw a straight line that runs through bothstones. This is your East-West line.Put your left foot close to the first stone, and your rightfoot to the second stone. Tow ore now facing North.

Note: the accuracy of this rncth()cl dcpcncls on how lcvel theground is, how wcll thc crrtls.l'tlrc shlrtl.ws lrrc rrr:rrkccl, and

how much care was taken in placing the toes at the line. ANorth-South indicator can be produced if a line is drawn atright-angles to your East-West line. Any other direction canbe simply calculated from these cardinal points.

USING A WATCHNorthern Hemisphere

Check that your watch is accurately set to local time and thenpoint the hour hand at the sun. This can be made moreaccurate by using a thin twig to cast a shadow along the hourhand. Bisect the angle between the hour hand and the 12o'clock position and this line will be due South. North beingthe end of the line furthest from the sun.

Southern HemisphereIn the southern hemisphere, the numeral twelve on the watchface should be pointing at the sun. The North-South line isfound midway between the hour hand and the 12 o'clockposition. However, as opposed to the northern hemisphere,North will be the end of the line nearest to the sun. Again,accurate time setting is essential.To help confirm which end of the line is pointing North,remember that before Noon, the sun is in the eastern part ofthe sky, and after Noon, the western. This means that if youare facing North, the morning sun will be on your right-handside and the afternoon sun on your left.

a.

b.c.

d.e.

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THE STARSNavigation by the stars has been used for centuries, and is stillemployed in map making. Learning about the stars is beneficialin itself, but this knowledge comes into its own in survivalnavigation.Bright stars rhat seem ro be grouped together in a patternare called constellations. The shapes of these constellations andtheir relationship to each other does not alter. Because of theearth's rotation, the whole of the night sky appears to revolvearound one central point and using this knowledge can helpyou to find directions.

THE NORTHERN HEMISPHEREI. thc rr.rther, hernisphere, the central point is marked by alrriut star, callccl P.laris, the Pole, or the North Star. Becauseot'its 1'rosition, it always appears to remain in the same place -rrtr,ve thc N.rth Pole. As long as polaris can be seen, thedirection of True North can be found.To find Polaris, first locate the constellation known as .ThePlough' or 'The Big Dipper'. The rwo stars furthest fromthe 'handle' always point towards Polaris. Take the distancebetween the two stars and then follow a line straight for aboutsix times that distance. At this point you will see the pole star.If you are unsure which way to look or wish to confirm thatyou have found Polaris, look for another constellation calredcassiopeia. The five stars that make up this constenation arepatterned in the shape of a slightly squashed .W,. It is pos-itioned almost opposite the Plough, and polaris can be foundmidway between them. As long as the sky is clear, the plough,cassiopeia and Polaris remain visible irr the sky all ,igrrt whenseen from any c()untry north of 40 tlcgrccs N. lrttitrrtlc.

THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHEREUnfortunately there is no star that is fixed above the SouthPole, but it is still possible to locate South in the southernhemisphere by using the stars. The constellation to look forhere is the'southern Cross': four main stars in the shape of across, with a fifth, fainter star just a litde way below the centreof the cross. If you take a line through the longest axis of thecross and extend it South for about four and a half times itslength, you will come to the approximate position of where aSouth Pole star would be. To make sure you have drawn a linethrough the correct axis, check that it runs through a smallgroup of faint stars just as it leaves the constellation. Whenyou have located South, note a landmark direcdy below thisposition to give you an easier point of reference . Alternatively,take the bearing you require and lay a stick on the ground asa pointer. In this way you will be able to determine yourrequired direction in the morning.

THE STAR MOVEMENT METHODIf the sky is partialiy clouded over, and you are unable to findor identi8, the major constellations, there is another methodyou can use. As mentioned earlier, the stars appear to revolvearound the sky about one certain point. By observing how thestars are moving, you will be able to gain a rough indicationof which way you are facing. To ascertain which way they arerevolving, set two sticks in the ground and aim them at anybright star, like you would the sights of a gun.If the star seems to:a. Inop fiatly towards the RIGHT, you are approximatelytircing.S()tl'l'l I.

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b. Ioop flady towards the LEFT, you are approximately facingNORIH.c. be RISING, you are approximately facing EAST.d. be DESCENDING, you are approximately facing \ IEST.THE MOON

Reasonable results can also be obtained navigating by themoon, although I must stress they are only reasonable. F{ereare two methods:The Quarter Moons

With either of the quarter moons) you can project a linethrough thc horns down to the horizon. If you are in thenrthcrn hcrnisphere, the place where the line touches theIrarth will be approximately south. If you are in the northernhcr,isPhcrc, it will indicate North. Tests have shown this tobc a rough, but useful guide when travelling at night.

The Quarter Moons and the Full MoonUsing your watch, set it accurately to the local time. phases ofthe moons are always found at certain directions at certaintimes. Using this knowledge, and the table below, you can geta good idea of direction.

Time1 8002100000003000600

First Quarter Full Moon last euarterSouth-east Not visible Not visibleSouth-west South-east Not visibleWest South-eastNot visible South-west South-eastNot visible West-south

VEGETATION TIPS TO NAVIGATIONPlants will often give a general, but not accurate idea of direc-tion, and this should be borne in mind if you are in an areathat supports vegetation. Trees will have larger foliage on thesunny side, which in the northern hemisphere is the southside, and north in the southern hemisphere.

Many wild flowers, but especially those with open yellowcups, turn towards the sun wherever it is in the sky even on acloudy day. Take note that the wind may be moving the plants.Moss prefers damp, shaded conditions, and therefore grow onthe northern aspects (in the northern hemisphere) of trees androcks, where they receive the least sun. In summary, mossesgive an opposite indication of direction to other plants.

PREVAITING WINDSIn desert areas, where local guides to nar.igation are sparse, tryto learn or observe the prevailing wind direction. Prevailingwinds are responsible for shaping the sand dunes so that theshape of the dunes can provide a very rough and ready guideto direction.

THE IMPROVISED COMPASSAn improvised compass can be made out of any suitable smallmetal object, e.g. a needle, pin or a razor blade, provided thatit can be magnetizedand suspended to swing freely as a pointer.To magnetize the metal, take a magnet and stroke it along themetal in one direction. Note that this pointer may need re-maElnetizing fiom time to time .Wlren using thrcacl to suspcnd the pointer, you may find

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that it either becomes twisted or that it is too stiff. Either wagthe fiee movement of your pointer will be impeded. In t-hecase of a small, sharp pointer, such as a needle or razor bladethis can be overcome by floating it on water. To do this, pushthe pointer through something that floats, such as a piece ofcork, or two or three matchsticks, and let it float on stillwater in a non-metal container (metal will affect the pointermagnetically). The pointer should now be able to swing freely.Note: the loudspeaker of any radio, even the smallest one, willcontain a permanent magnet that can be used in compassmaking. Looking our for ways in which any object can beadapted or improvised from its original use is the hallmark ofa successful survivor.Electricity can also be used to magnetize a steel pointer.For this you will need a length of insulated copper wire as canbc ftrund inside most electrical equipment) and a battery thatwill producc six volts or more. At these low voltages, theinsulrrtion on thc c()ppcr wire may often only be a coat ofvrrnrish.Makiug as malty turns as you can, wrap the wire aroundthe pointer and then connect it to the battery. After lS to 30minutes of current, the pointer will become magnetized, withthe North Pole of the pointer nearest to the negative batteryterminal (remember - N for North and Negative).

These are just a few of the methods that you can use to navigatein a survival situation. Some of them depend upon knowledgeor skill, others upon observation, but all are of value.

INFORMATION ON THE BRECON BEACONSThe Brecon Beacons, located in Sor"rth Wales, is where mostof the selectir>ns takc prlacc. 'l'lrc rn.untrrins rrrc n.t Iriglr, but

adverse and changeable weather conditions can make themdangerous. Exposure and hypothermia are constant threats andsoldiers have been known to die. Before you arrive at HerefordI recommend that you obtain an Ordnance Survey map of thearea and snrdy it (Landranger 160). My advice is to concentrateon the large empty areas to the west and east of the StoryArms. If you get the chance, spend a weekend walking overthe mountains. Nothing too strenuous, but get familiar withthem. In summer it is an extremely pretty place, especially theriver valley that runs through the centre.

TIMINGSYou will hear a lot of the students going on about timings.Don't let it get to you, just do your best. Time is everythingon selection but the SAS do not expect you to do the impos-sible. In summer the ground is dry, and the good going meansbetter and shorter times are achieved. In winter, the wind andrain will slow everyone down. Don't complain, the DS knowexacdy how long it should take in all conditions and the timeallowed will be adjusted to suit. Just to be on the safe sidehere are some helpful hints to save minutes:. Drink on the move, using some form of camel pack. (This

allows for your drinking water to be in your side pouchesand connected to your mouth via a plastic intake tube.)

o Select the fastest route by studying the terrain and con-tours. This will save you time.o Be aware of the ground where you will be walking. Evenif flat, it may contain a bog which will slow you down,especially if you are tired.o Do not eat a large meal during the marches; instead try tocat lirtlc irncl oftcn and on the move.

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Check your location continuously so that any mistake canbe quickiy corrected before you have gone too far in thewrong direction.Always keep a little energy in reserve. You never know whatthe DS have in store.

KIT IIST TO CONSIDER PRTORSETECTION

TO ATTENDINGCood boots and boot care

equipmentSpare maps (the 3D type is bestfor initial training as they

show better relieOSpare compassWoolly hat (black or green.Don't buy the three-hole ski

mask)Watr:h, with illuminated dial.(TK from BCB)

Thick elastic bandsCloth fibre masking tape

THE FOLTOWING LISTISSUED TO YOU ATPrismatic compassMini flares, one packWeapon key allowing you todraw a rifle from the armouryBliss homing device, this must

be attached to your bergenTorch

Map caseFablonSuperglueWaterproof bergen liners, large

and smallComms cord (black)Para cordCood brewing mug and plastic

spoonCaitersWaterbag container (.fungle and

LUPs)Swiss Army knife

OF EQUIPMENT WILL BESENNEYBRIDGE CAMPMess tinsEmergency rationsWaterproof jacketWaterproof trousersBergenHigh visibility panel (fits on ropof bcrgr:n)

Above left: For those attending selection, fitness is a must, but good map reading isalso a vital element in passing selection. Understanding the map and taking the best routeall save time and produce higher grades.Above right: Running with a heavy bergen all day is not easy. Make sure that yours fitswell, is comfortable over a long duration, and that it is watertight. The Brecon Beaconsare notorious for their bad weather. The secret is to push the pace without actuallyburning yourself out. Walk up hill - run down. Trust the map and compass.

Below: The story Arms in the Brecon Beacons, a well-known location by all thosewho have attended selection.

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Top: The beige beret of the SAS. All thosewho successfully pass selection willreceive their beige beret with it's famouswinged dagger - as any SAS man will tellyou, it is a special moment and a fabulousfeeling! The blue stable belt is normallyworn with daily barrack dress.Middle: The famous 'Killing House'; a flat,square/ brick-built building that hides itsreal purpose. lnside, the building is split intwo by a central corridor. On either sideare a series of rooms, each of which canbe configured to represent just about anycombat scenario. The left-hand rooms aremainly used for basic shooting skills whilethose on the right create room-combat

situations.Bottom: The AR-15 was designed for theArmalite Company in the late I950's. Laterthe US Army called it the M16,{1 and itbecame the standard rifle in the VietnamWar. However, even before Vietnam, it hadbeen used in combat by the SAS inBorneo. The M16, constructed of pressed

steel and plastic, was among the first of themodern-style rifles, firing the smaller5.56mm ammunition as opposed to thestandard NATO 7.52mm round. The Ml6is still the preferred combat rifle of theSAS, especially when combined with the203 grenade iauncher.

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Above lefh You would be surprised at the amount of different weapons used by the SAS.Many have been designed for silent killing, as with the crossbow shown here. Designedand built by lvan Williams of Shropshire, this all-metal weapon is lethal up to.l 00 metresAbove right: Range work is not restricted to the'Killing House,; the SAS use manydifferent ranges both at home and abroad. There are ranges where dummies will talk toyou and even ranges where vehicles can be driven. The latter allow for the practice oflive firing anti-ambush drills.

Below: The soldier here is seen firing the Arwen. lt is a simple device normally used forlobbing smoke or gas into a building. The weapon has been in use with the SAS anti-terrorist team for a number of vears.

Room-combat training is not.iust restricted to the SAS. Those people most at risk fromacts of aggression, such as the Royal Family and senior politicians, attend Hereford fordemonstrations at which they are encouraged to take part. This picture shows PrinceCharles and Princess Diana sitting very close to targets while the SAS burst into theroom firing live ammunition.

The four-man patrol, which survives to this day, was formed during the Borneo campaignEach team member will have a skill allowing them to perform and operate under veryhostile and difficult conditions. Such arduous tasks, in enemy territory, produce tough,self-reliant men, who are capable of Iiving in the jungle or surviving in the desert.

teft: lf you are a captured soldier, yourvery existence may be under threat. Howyou react to that threat will depend on

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the training you receive. The SAS takeinterrogation training very seriously.

Bottom left: Being captured as aprisoner of war must rank as one of the

most frightening experiences a soldier canface. The immediate fear of the unknown,the threat of death, or at best a severebeating, will affect your emotions. Andthe very nature of your predicament willfill the mind with a sense of isolation and

abandonment. This can only be overcomewith realistic training.

Below: The personal survival pack is of theutmost importance to every SAS soldier.They will carry it whenever the possibilityof a forthcoming survival situation exists.The choice of contents is crucial and willvary according to the type and location ofoperation terrain. You will be well advisedto make your own survival kit beforeattending selection; even seasoned SASsoldiers have perished on the BreconBeacons. Your decision on the ltems to beincluded in the survival kit can only be

made after careful consideration. Youmust assess every item's usefulness, itsadaptability and its weight or bulk.

Top left: Even the condom can be used as an item of survival equipment. Whensupported in a sock or shirt sleeve it becomes a water carrier, which will holdapproximately 1 .5 litres.Top right lndividual skills are learnt so that a basic four-man patrol can operate

independently. Communications are vital to any military unit, yet to the SAS they area lifeline. The signaller will be required to communicate using sophisticated radioequipment; his job is to keep the patrol in touch with base. Without communicationsthere is no reporting, no casivac, no air strikes and no extraction. The SAS signallermust learn to operate a wide variety of radios; likewise he must also learn the artof coding and decoding messages.Below: It is difficult to travel in a direct line through jungle terrain. Although there

are game trails, ridge-crests and native paths, you should where possible avoid them.Likewise, cutting your way through the vegetation is exhausting and slow and couldalert the enemy. The SAS soldier must worm his way through dense jungle, a

process that can be very slow.

Bivi bagROUTE SELECTION

Waterbottle, carrier and mug

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Sleeping bagSurvival suit in black plastic

container

Brecon Beacons (sheet 160)(Sennybridge)

Black Mountains (sheet 161)Elan Valley (sheet 147)

Maps lssued

Maps 1: 50,000 scale (5)

Hay on Wye (sheet 148)(Radnor Forest)

Forest of Dean

Top left: River-crossing in the junglecan be very dangerous, albeit mostlyunavoidaltle. lf you must cross, choose thewid

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Get ready for the Fan Dance. This starts at the Storey Armswhere you are placed in a group and given a colour, eachgroup will have its own DS. You carry a bergen weighing401b, belt kit and rifle. You should remember to warm up bystretching before starting, also try to relax; much is made ofthe Fan Dance but it is not that hard. The DS will race off,keep him in sight but don't burn yourself out tr)rng to catchhim, even if you do he will be pissed off. You need to finishthe Fan Dance inside fbur hours to pass, try for less if theweather is good.

Day 3Day three is in Sennybridge Camp where you will be instructedin map reading, make the most of this. In the afternoon youwill get a one-hour beasting with loads of push-ups, fireman'slifts etc.

Day 4Wlurt rcnrains of thc course is divided into two groups, halfwill takc a swinrrning test while the others do physical trainingon thc fixrtball pitch. The latter is hard, loads of shutde runs,crawls, push-ups, and carries. In the afternoon you will betaken to Radnor Forest area where you will again be split intogroups each with its own DS. This is basically a map readingexercise at speed; you carry 40lb bergens, belt kit and rifle.The DS use small 'sickeners' such as running up steep hills ormaking you carry extra weight.

You are taken to Brecon swimming baths where you will swim20 circuits of the pool. (Stay to the outside, do not try to cutcorners and distance.) This is done wearing shirt and trousers,belt, and a full water botde. You must also complete one widthunder water and be able to tread water for l0 minutes. Directlyafter this you return to Radnor Forest and repeat the mapreading exercise of the previous day. An evening meal is sup-plied via containers before you set offon your first night march.A sample route is as follows:Start point Road Lay-by Grid 0175 1060RVI Bridge Grid 9450 Ll2ORV2 Pot-Hole Grid 8910 1615Finish point Road lunction Grid 844 164Once completed you will have time to crawl into your greenmaggot and get some sleep. You will be woken around 5.30a.m. and given a container breakfast.

Day 6After your night march you are driven to the Forest of Deanfor an orienteering course, for this you will be paired offwithanother student. (Use the travel time to get a bit more kip.)The course consists of six waypoints around the forest, all ofwhich are fairly easy, that said the DS will harass you to makebetter time. 30lb bergens are carried.

Day 7You risc rrt 7 a.nr. arrrl itrc tirkctr out to Scnnybridge trainingrrrcrr whcre thc l)S will beast y()u r()ltcn lirr alx>ut two hours.

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lorNrNc THE sAsStay with it, show the DS you are hanging in there and can

ROUTE SELECTIONStart point Pub Car Park Grid 8810 29I5

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take a lot more. You return to camp and are normally stooddown until Monday morning. llave a beer but don't get drunk,stuffyour face with protein.

Day 8Have a lie in. Check your clothing for wear and do repairs.Check your boots and feet. Get an early night's sleep. You willget a brief that evening on the next day's activities.

Day 9Parade at 7 a.m. where you will get your colour for the dayand be told which truck to get on. You will be taken to theElan Valley use the travel time to sleep. At the start point youwill have your bergen weighed before being given your firstgrid reference. Make sure you know and understand exacdywhcrc y()u are going. The route will be around f skm and willtake about 4 hours 30 minutes. A similar route in Radnor.Start point Road Junction Grid 1080 6465RVI Trig-point 538 Grid 1705 6065RV2 East end of Pool Grid 1400 5940RV3 Telephone Box Grid 1255 5820Finish point Road/River Bridge Grid I140 5445

Day 10You do more or less the same procedure as for day 9 but witha different route. You will have a 40lb bergcn and be requiredto finish the route in about 4 hours 30 rninutes. Distance20km.

RVI Standing Stones Grid 8335 2835RV2 Standing Stones Grid 8360 2570RV3 Spot-height 591 Grid 8475 2315RV4 Spot-height 562 Grid 8620 2065RVS Spot-height 582 Grid 9080 2640Finish/start point Grid 8810 2915

Day 1'lStill in the Radnor area, 40lb bergen, I4km. Typical route:Start point Telephone Box Grid 172 585RVI Spot-height 523 Grid L93 609RV2 Trig-point 660 Grid 182 639RV3 Spot-height 491 Grid 159 635RV4 Trig-point 538 Grid l7l 606Finish/start point Grid 172 585

Day 12Rest day. The DS will give you pointers on what and whereyou have been going wrong) and you will receive a briefing ontest week.

Day 13Radnor Forest with a 45lb bergen, distance 29km in about sixhours.Start point Road Junction Grid 160 647RVI Spot-height 491 Grid 159 636RV2 AA Box Clrid 198 598RV3 't'rig-1'roirrt 610 Clrid 214 636

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,OINING THE SASRV4 Stream Junction Grid 202 671

ROUTE SELECTIONDay 17

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Finish/start point Grid 160 647Day 14

Day off. Rest up and get ready for some really serious work.

Day 15'Pipeline' is a 23km march over the Brecon Beacons with50lb bergen. It is hard. Typical route:Start point Lay-by near Dam Grid 987 198RVI Spot-height 632 Grid 938 186RV2 Pot-Hole Grid 89I I6fRV3 Trig-point725 Grid 88I l9lRV4 Trig-point 603 Grid 912 2L6RVS Spot-height 632 Grid 938 f 86t-inish/start point Grid 987 I98

Day 16'Point to Point' is 25km with a 50lb bergen.Start point Lay-by Grid 972 222RVI Pen-V-Fan Grid Ol2 216RV2 Car Park Grid 024 249RV3 Pen-V-Fan Grid Ol2 2L6RV4 Track Junction Grid 034 182Finish/start point Grid 972 222

'Hear.y Carry' means a7Dlb bergen. This is extremely difficult.You start offwith a 50lb bergen but after a short time you aremade to carry a twenty pound ammunition box full of con-crete; this weight is additional to your rifle, belt kit, water anclrations. The distance is around lSkm. Typical route:Start point Road function Grid 773 259RVI Stone Circle Grid 808 244RV2 Trig-point 802 Grid 826 218Finish point Road Junction Grid 861 246

Day 18'Endurance,' or 'Long Drag' is a real bitch. All I can say is ifyou have made it dris far it is worth putting your all into thisfinal march. You have to walk 40 miles over the Brecon Beaconswith a 55lb bergen in 20 hours. You will start around mid-night with litde or no sleep between the previous day's rn:rrchand Endurance . Sleep on the truck if you can) every little hclps.'Iypical route:Start point Road Junction Grid 080 260RVI Track Junction Grid 034 182RV2 Fan Fawr Grid 964 L89RV3 Trig-point 603 Grid 913 216RV4 Road Track lunction Grid 868 I93RV5 Ystradfelle Reservoir Grid 944 073RV6 Road Bridge Grid 995 164RV7 Track lunction Grid 034 I83Finish point Clricl 080 260

Aulhor's Tip: r.;rch lime you apprroach a RV make sure youl(,01 | (rl I

,orNrNG THE SASdo so in good order, that is to say, look fresh, no clothes

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hanging off you; carry your weapon correctly. Cive yourcolour code and number i.e. 'Williams, blue route two,Staff.'

lf asked where you are show the DS by pointing with ablade of grass or the corner of your compass; don't use yourfinger. When you get told the next grid indicate it on themap, the DS will only tell you twice. Move away and planyour next leg. Look confident.

Day 19 and Onward to Jungle TrainingWell, if you make it this far give yourself a pat on the back.You will be taken back to Hereford where you will be given amuch deserved long weekend break. When you return on theMonday you will be integrated with new members of the SBSwho have passed their initial selection course. At this stage youwill be formed into four man patrols, normally wo SAS andtwr> SBS. You will practise patrol techniques and ambush drillsready fbr tl're jungle phase. You will also learn how to handlethe Ml6, Claymore mine and how to operate the PRC 3I9radio. For those who are not familiar, detailed instructionis given on using a One-Time Pad (OTP) for encryptingmessages.It is good advice to get yourself into the jungle before youattend selection. The advantages of having served time injungle conditions are of enormous benefit. That is not to saythat those attending the jungle phase will fail, some studentstake to the jungle as if it were their natural habitat, others findit claustrophobic. A short posting to Belize or a course at thejungle uaining school vrill stand you in good stead. If youcannot do this, see the section on jungle terrain later in thisbook.

Tropical shirtsTropical trousersSweat ragsBlack floatation bagBlanketPoncho (green)Tropical hatHammockHammock polesMacheteA frame coverWater bagAmmo pouchesKit pouchesYokeCarabineer and cordMosquito netWaterbottle and mugAide memoirLightweight silk coverFilter bagStone sharpenerCompass SilvaMagazines (M16)BFA (BFA)Cleaning kit (M16)

DON'T CHEAT'I"hcrc was il tinrc when, if a member of selection having hadhis rucksack wc:iglrecl and firund to be on the light side a brick,

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,orNtNG THE SASand in some cases several bricks, would be added. Those caughtcheating would

ROUTE SELECTIONBrecon Mountain Rescue Team, call sign Zebra, will be called

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be expected to carry this extra weight for theremaining duration of the route. This practice, however, hasimproved, instead of bricks they are now given more usefulitems such as extra food or clothing.Forget about getting a mate to transport you around inhis car, dropping you just a few kilometres from the RV. Youwill get caught, and this means instant RTU.

LOST PROCEDUREIt is extremely unlikely that you will get lost during selecrion,either as an individual or as part of a group. However, serioussurvival conditions can arise in the Brecon Beacons in winterand have caused many student deaths. It is therefore wise tobe prepared for anv eventuality. To aid the student in suchcircumstances, all will have the proper survival equipment intheir bergens. The bergens will also have a large red panel onthem that will help to locate the student if the need fbr arescue should arise.You will be instructed fully on lost procedures currenrlyin force, and these instructions should be followed withoutquestion. The lost procedures will be put into morion by anystudent still unaccounted for at the end of the day. If youhappen to get lost, stay calm and be assured that you will belooked for. In the mean time, concentrate on staying alive andtake precautions against hypothermia.The SAS training squadron will normally start a searchfrom the approximate position that the student was last seen.Due to their special knowledge of the Brecon Beacons ingeneral and the selection routes in particular, rhe SAS usuallyfind the missing student qr.rickly. Howcvcr, if tlris does nothappen, or if advcrsc wcrrthcr l)rcvcnts a cluick scarclr, thcn the

in to help.A helicopter extraction of the casualty may be used, particu-larly in cases of injury or hypothermia. In these cases, thehelicopter will land as close as it can to the casualry. If

the terrain is too rough for this, it will hover above the casualtyinstead and send down a winch