SAS Vs SBS & UKSF Vs USASF

[The Fresh Prince]

Alright.
I'm not like a big expert on the armed forces so don't start nagging if I ask stupid questions or my facts are wrong. I know loads about the SAS from books I've bought, stuff on the telly etc. but I know hardly nothing about the SBS. What are their major roles, what do they usually do in campaigns, stuff like that.

Also I want to know who is the best. I've heard I few people going on about how the SBS better, but the SAS have the good reputation. I've also heard that they hate each other, is that true.

One last question, who is the best SF unit in the world. Are we well better than the American ones.

[Defiant]

My own opinion is that SAS and SBS are the best. They have the least amount of funds for equipment but always train their guys to be the best.

[Steve C]

You can't really say who is better UKSF or USSF. The U.S. has such a big military it has specialised it's SF troops i.e. Rangers speciality is attacking hardened positions, "Delta"'s is hostage rescue, Army SF (Green Berets) speciality is the training if foreign guerrilla elements.
Because the UK is so much smaller and ,as Defiant said, has alot less funds to pump into it's military, it cannot specialise it's SF troops to such an extent that the U.S. can. As a result the SAS and SBS have a very wide ranging type of mission profile, both SAS and SBS conduct long range recon, counter terrorism and other types of missions that the U.S. has different units to do.
All I can say that if I were a country that had no SF troops and I was offered to choose any unit in the world I wanted I would choose the SBS [i'm joining the marines ], simply because I would know their personnel could take on any type of mission, instead of just one "specialised" role.
I'm by no means an expert but have read ALOT of books on the subject

-Steve C

[Cronkilla]

Well said.I too waudl say the SBS as they have more training also they seem to keep out of the public eye more as not many people know the SBS excist on SAS they see a man all in black gas mask H&K assume SAS when it cauld be either no matter where land or sea.

[Gearjammer351]

Col. Beckwith,founder of the Delta Force,in his book explains how he was inspired while serving in an SF group participating in an exchange program,and working with the SAS.Upon returning to the states he petitioned the army brass and said of the SAS 'those guys can do anything-we need a group like that'.The SAS was not only his inspiration but the model he used,and though Delta(like the SAS) does counter-terrorist work they also do the other things that the SAS does.They are very similar in thier role and capabilities-by design.I wouldn't try to compare them as I have never served with either- I just wanted to point out that counter-terrorism is not all they do and that they are probably more like the SAS than any other organisation.

[Huub]

I am by no means an expert.
Read a lot, searched a lot etc...

SAS/SBS have a long history and invented much of the methods used today.
Personally I like to think the SAS is most versatile, winns in adoptation to events, are broadly trained and the caracter of the "boys" plays a big role as well. :fadein:

Besides,
SAS started in 1941
Seals in 1962
Delta 1978 etc.

More on this on my SAS site

[Gearjammer351]

Hey Huub,
I like a man who can admit that he doesn't know everything,that is uncommon,as I say I have never served with either group.The Delta Force is very secretive-they don't even have a badge,so I don't REALLY know much other than what I've read.I once served with a guy whom it was rumoured had been in Delta,but he wouldn't comment.I know that the SAS doesn't care for publicity either so reading about them doesn't really tell their whole story either.The service record does speak for itself though and what I do know about them is very impressive,and I would not criticise them.The US and British military trains together a lot and I know that we share many things.I know better than to turn this into an argument so I'll leave this one alone now.By the way great website-I browsed through it some and I'll definitely look at it some more when I have the time.

[Huub]

Txs Gearjammer351,

I did have some contacts with ex- and members and they support most of my sites content.

As I say on th eabut me page there is no best?
mAYBE ONLY lesse and some more good?

Indeed it is wise to close this "discussion".

Have fun all.....

[faddius]

Spoon or Fork? -Use the tool for the job at hand, both have merits and both are different.

~James

[David]

Ahoy all

From what i have heard, read and have been told the SAS and the SBS go through exactly the same trainign program and do all the same jobs. I might be wrong but thats what ive found out.

[Geoff]

i think if your going for SBS you have to pass the UKSF selection course (the same as the SAS) then once u have done that, you move onto your SBS training, from what ive read over the years i would say the SBS are more highly trained because they have to pass and complete everything an SAS man would, THEN do the SBS training. i could be wrong

i read somewhere that the SBS do more "black op" work, such as breaking into nuke plants in the UK and in allied countries to test security, not leaving a trace of course, the people never knew they were there. but i could be wrong again.

[Ro55]

I think your right about doing the training. They do the basic UKSF training then SBS training.

Aye, Ross

[U0001]

It is impossible to say which is "better" but you can say which is more likely to be better. The SAS and SBS are definatley more versitile and have more demading training, but in the end it comes down to the individual soldier not the regiment ect...

[hawkeye]

the sas have a job to do so do sbs the 2 are different.
very different thats why there are 2 special forces and not just 1.
just dont beleave eveythink you read and have you ever seen a t.v program on S.B.S ARE YOU TOUGH ENOUGH and you never will.
head to head we the s.b.s would come better off.

[sneaky beaky]

There is no best! Each are very good at what they do. And despite the rivalry, there is a lot of co-operation between the two.