Who are classed as Special Forces in the UK?

[Tracy]

On 2001-12-11 16:26, Nomad wrote:
I think the Royal Marines believe themselves to be Conventional Troops...

...The Para’s are also conventional troops in my opinion...

Over here in the colonies, we regard Special Operations Forces as those units that can perform in a direct combat role across the spectrum of conflict; from Operations Other Than War (OOTW), Guerilla Wars, to High-Intensity Conflicts.

Another aspect of classifying a unit as 'SF' would be the skill set they have to maintain. You guys don't have as many people to work with, so many of your units have have to perform many roles with a high degree of skill. Hell, we have one Regiment (2000+ soldiers) dedicated exclusively to attacking hardened targets: Rangers.

Yet another spect of classifying troops as 'SF' is the environment itself. Harsh, closed terrain such as Mountains, Jungles, Artic tundra can, IMHO, legitimately claim dedicated special units to operate in them.

I'd consider both your Marines and Paras as a part of Special Forces, because of their requirement to work in all aspects of conflict and the many mission-essential tasks they have to maintain proficiency in.

Our Marines and Paratroopers also have many of the same tasks; but their sheer size allows them to spread out the tasks to many sub-units. At any given time, the Marines and Paratroopers both have three reinforced battalion task forces on standby for world-wide deployment. The Marines keep their ready units (MEUs) at sea, and the Paratroopers (DRBs) at Ft. Bragg, NC. Between the two of them and the Rangers, there are 9-10,000 troops ready to go in anywhere on the planet. When Marines and Paratroopers are in a ready status, I consider them Special Operations Forces as well. All units rotate through their readiness cycle every three to six months.



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Tracy on 2001-12-18 17:42 ]</font>

[Mastema]

Off the top of my head
Apart from the SAS and SBS there is also
The Pathfinder platoon of the 16th Air Assault Brigade
21st SAS
23rd SAS
63rd SAS Signals
HAC, Honourable Artillery Company based out of Armoury House in the City. (Everyone always forgets that one )
148 Company of the RA

Royal Marines are generally not considered to be SF. They have a specialised role true but ;-/

Para's are not. A lot of American servicemen seem to think they are as they are very similar in role to the Rangers but they are not SF.

[Nomad]

Mastema, you forgot 264 (SAS) Sig Sqn R. Signals.

148 Bty RA, who provide NGS

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Nomad on 2002-01-08 12:56 ]</font>

[Cobalt]

Would 14 Int be classed as special forces?

[biggles]

On 2002-01-08 13:03, Mike Nowak (Jr) wrote:
Would 14 Int be classed as special forces?

Not in the wider context IMO, although they have special training they are only used in one area (as far as I know).

How about the VIP close protection teams used by the FCO ?

biggles

[Nomad]

Interstingly the "Commandos" were the first Special Forces formed during the WWII by Churchill. TV Series Channel 4 Last night @ 21:00hrs continues through four parts every Tuesday @ 21:00 Ch4.

Does this then mean that The Royal Marines Commando continues the tradition and therefore is according to the media SF.

[dizzyd]

gaffney get in touch

[RMWANNABE]

I agree with NOMAD, the Royal Marines 'Commandos' is there name and they do specialist commando training so surely they are special forces. Anyone with a greenlid must be pretty special!? don't you think?Also if you look at the length of there training, its longer than some other well known special forces units. Don't know about the Para's though, i would say they are just outstanding soldiers, airborne forces. Just my humble opinion anyway.

[matt l]

Royal Marine swimmer cannoeists and mountain leaders are classed as special forces aren't
they as they recive special forces pay .Also are elite soldiers who wear the green beret not looked upon as special forces?Doesn't the title commaando emply this anyway?Are members of the Brigade Patrol Troop classed as special forces ?
Matt.

_________________



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: matt l on 2002-02-22 21:05 ]</font>

[Cobalt]

As far as I'm aware the Mountain Leaders (A&MW Cadre) are now the Brigade Patrol Troop. I might be wrong though.

[Cronkilla]

Isnt there a para group who go in behind lines with artilary ?

Or something along those lines i remember reading about it briefly some place.

[matt l]

Are you thinking of the pathfinder unit within the paras ,they are part of the British rapid reaction force and take part in behind the lines recon.Matt

[Guest]

I agree with Nomad

A good mate of mine is ex3 Para and when last over her said to me that he thinks "Para is SF"

I have a lot of time for them, but for me thay are not SF (neither are some US units who say they are).

To me its gotta be those who don't do a job in DPM, and who go deep (deep) recon or U/C... tempted to make a list now!!

Keep doing it boys + gals we need ya:-)

Stay safe

J

[faddius]

I have some official RM info which states exactly what are their Special forces:

Document CP21 'Officer in the Royal Marines' pg 12 (verbatim) Very recent arrived 4 weeks ago in the post.

'Special Boat Service Officer (SBS)
The SBS is one ot the Royal Marines' two Special Forces Units...

'Mountain Leader (ML)
The highly skilled job of a Mountain and Arctic Warfare Cadre (the other Special Forces Unit of the Royal Marines) involves all aspects...'

~James

[feathers]

they didnt want 'hats' roaming the hills.. RM are certainly not special forces, and niether are Paras. It is more to do with training than selection.

SBS and SAS are the only special forces. We expect there to be more cos of the vast number of special US units, but they are as usual OTT