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Hi guys was just on the Parachute Regiment website and it says 58% of Paras go to the SAS is that still true or is the website now out of date??

Also does anyone know how many Pathfinders go into the SAS I reckoned a lot due to their selection is similar but a lot shorter cheers to anyone who replies

Oh dear.

Just on the face of it...58% of Paras go SAS - does it not seem obvious that if this were the case, the SAS would outnumber the Paras?

SAS is made up of 58% ex-Para seems more likely. Thank God you're not one of them if you're that switched on...

That was a bit harsh druadan.

Think he meant to say 58% of the SAS are made up of PARA's.

Not sure about the figures though.

Alot of the SAS troopers come from the Paras not sure of the 58% but it's worth remembering that only a few years ago if a Royal Marine wanted to join the SAS (and many did) they had to leave the Marines, join the army and then into the SAS. This was mainly a paper exersise with the booties doing selection either through the TA route or whilst "attached".

So on the monday the Marine would be discharged from the Navy, sign up for the Army on tuesday and straight into the SAS (he's already passed selection at this point). All SAS troopers have a parent regt from where they came from....and can be returned to.....The ex-Marine doesn't, so has to choose a surragate "parent" Regt, most put down the Paras as the thought of getting drafted to the first foot and mouth or the Catering corps doesn't appeal. This will of added numbers to the amount of Paras in the SAS, but, overall the Para Regt is the dominant contributer.

May sound like a silly question but... If a marine joined the SBS could he be returned back to the marine's?

Also does joining the Para's give you a better chance of getting into the SAS, i.e. do they have any specific training that helps when applying for selection?

As both SBS and SAS are Tri-Service under DSF the 'Army parent unit / rtu' thing isn't an issue.

If a Marine fails selection or gets RTU'd from Hereford he goes back to his Corps/Battalion whatever (or more likely sacks it for civvy street).

freer07 wrote:Also does anyone know how many Pathfinders go into the SAS I reckoned a lot due to their selection is similar but a lot shorter cheers to anyone who replies

A lot of PF end up in SF, most guys give it a go after 3 or 4 years. There are usually 2 or 3 PF blokes passing every selection, which is a large proportion for a unit of around 40 guys.

very good posts. It seems obvious that alot of ex para's would join the SAS it's a natural progression, especially as the training is so similar and know 1 Para is SFSG. and soldiers from 2 and 3 Para get to enter that batalion after a couple of years. so all para soldiers are well trained and experienced, something other regiments don't get, I know that the SBS used to only take on ex RM's years ago, but that has changed now and it's like SAS they take on from any unit. But it is undoubtedly easier for a soldier from RM or Para's to join SF than some bloke from engineers, not that it is that easy, just the elite training of both RM and Para is a good foundation to build on.