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Sickeners
Sickeners
Just out of interest, has anybody attempted to catalogue the various sickeners used on selection? I just thought it'd make a nice little insight into what people can expect when try out!
My wings are like a shield of steel... only they're made of kevlar!
The response should prove interesting!
Apart from Chunky (SAS) the only other people who claim to be former or even serving members of the Special Forces and for some unknown reason SBS, have turned out to be prime Walters.
I would think that anyone who has been, done etc would be not be very forthcoming on an open forum to provide such information from which further Walters could benifit!
There is enough to be found in the various SF webb sites and various books by certain people to fill yet another book.
Although I once met a London taxi driver with an SAS badge stuck to the dashboard, who told me all about what he had to go through on selection.
Only on a need to know basis, you understand
Rover
Apart from Chunky (SAS) the only other people who claim to be former or even serving members of the Special Forces and for some unknown reason SBS, have turned out to be prime Walters.
I would think that anyone who has been, done etc would be not be very forthcoming on an open forum to provide such information from which further Walters could benifit!
There is enough to be found in the various SF webb sites and various books by certain people to fill yet another book.
Although I once met a London taxi driver with an SAS badge stuck to the dashboard, who told me all about what he had to go through on selection.
Only on a need to know basis, you understand
Rover
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Twenty One
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A sickener is when you have just tabbed 30 miles and you are about to finish when someone in the DS tells you to about turn and start walking back the way you came.
Or you are finishing a nice tab from one GR to another and the DS tell you that you have got it wrong you will need to go back and get the right GR from the last checkpoint.
You are travelling in the truck back to camp and you get your hopes up about a nice big pint when the DS stop the truck and you find out that it has gone a further 30 miles in the opposite direction from camp and you are told to get out a make your way back to camp.
Or you are finishing a nice tab from one GR to another and the DS tell you that you have got it wrong you will need to go back and get the right GR from the last checkpoint.
You are travelling in the truck back to camp and you get your hopes up about a nice big pint when the DS stop the truck and you find out that it has gone a further 30 miles in the opposite direction from camp and you are told to get out a make your way back to camp.
Dissent Protects Democracy,Gezza Brek!
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Rogue Chef
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Ahoy there!
Another spin on 'sickeners' is when the Instructors break some 'bad news', as in the examples mentioned by Rob T, then watch for reactions amongst the students.
The spin is that the 'bad news' is actually false but the students don't know that. There will be those who are up for the new challenge and those whose shoulders slump in resignation.
Another spin on 'sickeners' is when the Instructors break some 'bad news', as in the examples mentioned by Rob T, then watch for reactions amongst the students.
The spin is that the 'bad news' is actually false but the students don't know that. There will be those who are up for the new challenge and those whose shoulders slump in resignation.
For example, you have just tabbed 45 miles over the Becons, you stop for some munchies. The DS come over and tell you that there is only another 28 miles to home. Those that pack it in there and then are gone, those that get up ready to go, tab the first 200m round a bend to find the truck waiting to take them back to camp, they just passed. 
There are 3 kinds of people: those who can count & those who can't.
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chunky from york
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Rat sorry Batfink,
The 'sickener's' vary from course to course, depending how many are doing 'too well' and the humour of the DS (Directing Staff).
This is to stop people learning about them in advance. However at most RV's the DS have hot coffee wafting out of their basha and you may be invited to stop and have a brew and pack it all in. This can be very tempting.
However, the classic is usually at the end of walking up and down the 'Fan for a full day. When you are told that the wagon has broken down and you will have to make your own way back to camp. The explanation varies.
OR you can pack in get your head down for the night and be collected in the morning.
If you decide to walk back to camp you eventually stagger for several miles until you round a bend in the road and find the wagon and a brew.
Just far enough for you think it is for real and not a wind up.
The 'sickener's' vary from course to course, depending how many are doing 'too well' and the humour of the DS (Directing Staff).
This is to stop people learning about them in advance. However at most RV's the DS have hot coffee wafting out of their basha and you may be invited to stop and have a brew and pack it all in. This can be very tempting.
However, the classic is usually at the end of walking up and down the 'Fan for a full day. When you are told that the wagon has broken down and you will have to make your own way back to camp. The explanation varies.
OR you can pack in get your head down for the night and be collected in the morning.
If you decide to walk back to camp you eventually stagger for several miles until you round a bend in the road and find the wagon and a brew.
Just far enough for you think it is for real and not a wind up.
Chunky from York
I may not be the man I was, but I was
I may not be the man I was, but I was
Sickeners and their purpose
Sickeners are there to throw the potential operator something unexpected and difficult to handle to see how he performs under stressfull and harsh conditions. Things like throwing in a few sprints with concrete filled ammo boxes after a 30km run or submitting the operator to clausterphobic conditions to try and break his resolve. If you survive the first ones you get some more. The recruiters are out to see who keeps going regardless of circumstance or emotional condition. Simply they try to bend you past the point where you think you can handle it and then push you some more to see if you really are a true operator.
As to what to expect?
Be prepared for anything and everything.
If you think you have a fear or limitation beat it before you sign up for the test.
The Viet Cong used to bury their recruits in boxes three feet under the ground with only a straw to breathe through for a day.
The psychological stress this creates is extreme.
Burying yourself in a box isn't advisable, but putting yourself in a frame of mind where you can control yoursel in stress creating situations is a good idea.
Know that your mind can be a great ally or a great adversary.
Your mind will tell you to stop when your heart knows that you can keep on going.
Learn to trust God and non one else.
As to what to expect?
Be prepared for anything and everything.
If you think you have a fear or limitation beat it before you sign up for the test.
The Viet Cong used to bury their recruits in boxes three feet under the ground with only a straw to breathe through for a day.
The psychological stress this creates is extreme.
Burying yourself in a box isn't advisable, but putting yourself in a frame of mind where you can control yoursel in stress creating situations is a good idea.
Know that your mind can be a great ally or a great adversary.
Your mind will tell you to stop when your heart knows that you can keep on going.
Learn to trust God and non one else.
Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: Psalm 144:1
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always go commando
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Having the DS tell you your not good enough, you should give up because you've got the wrong attitude. I can imagine this is constant.
At the end of the day they want people who, if they ask to walk to that tree for no reason, will walk to the tree for no reason.
Being buried in a box is a pretty good one. The SAS interogation thing is a big sickener, because they don't tell you when its going to end and I can imagine after 5 hours blindfolded in a stress position you lose all concept of time. (I once spent 2 hours blindfolded(for a laugh ) and it felt like 3 days.)
At the end of the day they want people who, if they ask to walk to that tree for no reason, will walk to the tree for no reason.
Being buried in a box is a pretty good one. The SAS interogation thing is a big sickener, because they don't tell you when its going to end and I can imagine after 5 hours blindfolded in a stress position you lose all concept of time. (I once spent 2 hours blindfolded(for a laugh
) and it felt like 3 days.)stuck in a rut, unsure about the future, unsure about the military lifestyle, for a while anyway
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chunky from york
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Always,
You are getting 'Selection' and 'Continuation' training mixed up, Resistance To Interrogation is part of Continuation, though you can still be RTU'd if you fail.
The DS do not get in your face and shout at you for example if you do something they do not like they will say in a calm voice 'oh dear. I think that deserves twenty push ups in that patch of mud don't you?' followed by ' no I actually meant that patch of mud over there'. At this point all the DS watch to see what you do and how you do it.
At the end of every day (or exercise) the DS and this includes the drivers, armorer, clerks and cooks sit down and discuss the performance of each recruit that day ( or exercise).
This is why it pays Io be the grey man, don't stick out. for being too fit, mouthy or stroppy and they will just skim over your performance. Anyone who is not a fellow recruit is watching you like a hawk.
The old fellow who is driving the four tonner is not your mate he may very well be a staff sergeant helping out.
You are getting 'Selection' and 'Continuation' training mixed up, Resistance To Interrogation is part of Continuation, though you can still be RTU'd if you fail.
The DS do not get in your face and shout at you for example if you do something they do not like they will say in a calm voice 'oh dear. I think that deserves twenty push ups in that patch of mud don't you?' followed by ' no I actually meant that patch of mud over there'. At this point all the DS watch to see what you do and how you do it.
At the end of every day (or exercise) the DS and this includes the drivers, armorer, clerks and cooks sit down and discuss the performance of each recruit that day ( or exercise).
This is why it pays Io be the grey man, don't stick out. for being too fit, mouthy or stroppy and they will just skim over your performance. Anyone who is not a fellow recruit is watching you like a hawk.
The old fellow who is driving the four tonner is not your mate he may very well be a staff sergeant helping out.
Chunky from York
I may not be the man I was, but I was
I may not be the man I was, but I was
The point about the greyman is true chunky, but there is a fine line.
The SAS need team players, you got help each other out through selection etc. Your arent competing for position. If 50 get through they will take 50.
When your operating in 4 man teams you dont need Rambo's.
Don't be at the point where they no your name but don't be at the point where you are an outsider to the group.
Just fit in, be a lad and get the job done.
Anough said.
The SAS need team players, you got help each other out through selection etc. Your arent competing for position. If 50 get through they will take 50.
When your operating in 4 man teams you dont need Rambo's.
Don't be at the point where they no your name but don't be at the point where you are an outsider to the group.
Just fit in, be a lad and get the job done.
Anough said.
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Twenty One
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