SAS recruitment crisis as elite unit forced to make first ever public appeal for volunteers

THE SAS has made its first public appeal for “volunteers” to join amid a severe recruitment crisis.

A senior Special Forces instructor has urged serving soldiers to try out to become a member of the regiment.

It comes as the Army shrinks to 72,500 personnel, its lowest in more than 200 years, leaving fewer troops available to join.

The SBS and Special Reconnaissance Regiment are also under strength.

Troops normally apply through their chain of command but Ministry of Defence sources say the figure is tailing off, prompting the instructor to write to Soldier magazine.

He states: “There are probably good men and women out there who think selection is out of reach for them.

“But if this is a sort of career that interests you, do some training and preparation and attend a briefing course.

“You can attempt them as many times as you want, and you’ll learn a lot about what UKSF do and the different roles available.”

He goes on: “You will probably learn some things about yourself, too. So don’t self- select, turn up and let us select you.

“If you’re not good enough, you’ll be told. But if you’re still standing at the end, there’s a good chance you’ll be successful.”

The six-day course, of which there are eight a year, must be passed to go on for SAS selection. It is open to all troops and reservists from all three services.

To progress, troops have to pass a 12.8km march carrying a 15kg pack, physical and psychological tests, a 12km march and navigation test, and the Special Forces swim test.