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In the Mail on Sunday today there was a page about the SAS and how it is to have 2000 members within the next 5 years. Thats a 10-fold increase!!

This cant be good can it? They would have to lower the entrance tests, making the SAS less elite and therefore worse. I see that the SAS have many oversees commitments, hence the need for greater numbers, but surly there is a less drastic measure?

O dear, is this were the womens lib brigade come onto the link and start claiming they can be in now the numbers need to go up......Or am I just looking for trouble with comments like that.
Seriously I agree, surely putting up the numbers so drastically will lower standards. Rab are you sure you've got your numbers right? Surely there are more than 200 SAS at the moment????

I was under the impresion that there was only 250 SAS members and something like 150 SBS men. I maybe blabering out my arse though coz that does seem like a very small number, but then that small number is the reason for the extra men, no?

(note: The SAS and SBS are currently at about equal strength, 250-300 men each. That is though a relatively recent increase from what Rabby said)

This, in my opinon, is dreadful news. The only glimmer of hope (albeit a rather blindingly big one ) point is that such an increase would probably be impossible, so (I hope) the information must be wrong. Given the length and depth of training, it would be a huge strain on manpower (though after time thee would be ore men available to train), wich I doubt the SAS would accept. On the other hand however, 2000 men does look like something else. There has been much more said about a possible SF support unit akin to the US army rangers in role, so that may be what this is about. I would have thoughtthe existing elites would be able to do this, but perhaps with their conventional conflict comitments they don't have the manpower? I especially say this as buffHoon tried to double the strength of the SAS when Afghanistan was still in open warfare, but the idea was successfully blocked by an angry 22 reg.

If however, what the article suggested is the gospel truth, then I would estimate the average quality (and thus capability I might add... ) would plummet, at best to about the level of the BPT/pathfinders, or at worst, a US ranger.

That said, there is another possibility - the SAS does become a 2000 man force, but is reoganised with a more specific role (or perhaps have greater individual specialisation) sort of like the US army special forces (green berets), meaning in that particular role they maintain high effectiveness to a general SF standard. However, we maintain the tradition UKSF capability by forming a new SF unit much like our current ones, so at the end of the day, we still have SF and an elite specialist infantry unit, but the SAS name just ges handed down from SF to elites. I that makes sense

The paper article (not that everything in the paper should be believed of course ) said that this increase in manpower was to happen in the space of 5 years. That would mean drastically reducing entrance needs to let more men in, and then shorten training to get them ready in time, this to me seems pointless.

The current situation is that all UKSF are seriously stretched to cope with the large number of tasks they have to perform worldwide, and with the war on terror just beginning there is a huge demand for more Special Forces.

I certainly hope we dont lose the SF title, it would disasterous, nomatter what commitments we have worldwide, at least we know our guys can get the job done properly as it is, not a half arsed piss up.

I have it on good authority that NOBODY passed cn the last selection as they didnt meet the standards required! God only knows how they think they can find an extra 1700 or so suitable soldiers! A drop in standard could never happen whilst old and blod SAS are still serving. Just think of the SH&* these new members would endure

Toni, this could be your chance to offer yourself to the 22 at Hereford! Enjoy the fan dance and evade/capture......

Aye,
wilson

I believe the US Military has something like 47,000 men in their Special Forces command. I believe that includes all branches (Navy SEALs, Air Force Combat Controlers/Parajumpers, Army Special Forces (green berets), Delta Force, and even the Rangers).

They do have quite a few more men in uniform than the UK, but a higher overall percentage in Special Forces.

The biggest difference is that they separated their SAS-types (Delta Force) and their hearts and minds (green berets). The green berets are still expected to be very hardy and intelligent, but different aspects are focussed on during training and selection.

Talking an increase with that order of magnitude is absurd, though. How can they train 1700 men and still be operational? Perhaps they're looking at increasing the capabilities of the Royal Marines or Paras in operating alongside the SAS, similar to the US Rangers' role?

Isn't the SAS also around 40% undermanned? If I recall correctly they were filling gaps with members of the German GSG9 for a while.

If they start dropping standards the whole regiment should be disbanded. Im sure they will try to raise standards but hopefully they do it the right way, here is a few of my hints that want lower standards but will increase numbers:

1. Increase the number of selection course held per year.
2. Advertise it with posters around a base etc...
3. Increase the number of times a solier may try out for selection.
4. Encourage soldiers in the regular armed forces to go onto bigger and better things.

Any comments that may prove some of my theories wrong?[/list]

They could probably also provide an official guide to preparing for the physical side of Selection (if they don't already).

Scathing that Loz.....
Scared the youngster away

I saw her name pop up earlier but she quickly turned her tail and fled, brave brave sir Robin, err I mean Toni

You were robbed Loz, found them on the market by me for a sheckle. Had to haggle for them mind.
"This man wont haggle"

Is it a holy gourd? If it is then you have me

Found meself a really nice Grail yesterday. Little old lady was selling it to pay for her funeral expenses. I didn't want to rip her off, but I asked meself what would Harry do, so I ripped her off. Anyway, what do you know but this morning there's this strange bloke in a suit knocking at my door asking if we had heard of the Wholey Grail. well I said "Thank you sonny, (he was American you see), but we already have one," and slammed the door shut.