SELECTION

INITIAL SELECTION ROUTES

The routes on the following pages are similar to the ones used on SAS selection - the real routes cannot be revealed for security reasons. However, these will still give a realistic feel of what the potential SAS can expect.

Day 1

The course begins with every student going through a combat fitness test. Range road 148 at Sennybridge is normally used, with the course being split up into two groups. (At this stage the numbers are very high). You carry 30lb bergens, belt kit and a rifle; the pace is very fast. Your bergen is weighed before you start and a rock added if you are underweight (food and water does not count as weight). Try to finish somewhere in the front group, and look relaxed at the end, the DS will want to see you looking switched on.

Day 2

Get ready for the Fan Dance. This starts at the Storey Arms where you are place in a group and given a colour, each group will have its own DS. You carry a bergen weighing 40lb, belt kit and rifle. You should remember to warm up by stretching before starting, also try to relax; much is made of the Fan Dance but it is not that hard. The DS will race off, keep him in sight but don't burn yourself out trying to catch him, even if you do he will be pissed off. You need to finish the Fan Dance inside four hours to pass, try for less if the weather is good.

Day 3

Day three is in Sennybridge Camp where you will be instructed in map reading, make most of this. In the afternoon you will get a one-hour beasting with loads of push-ups, fireman's lifts etc.

Day 4

What remains of the course is divided into two groups, half will take a swimming test while the others do physical training on the football pitch. The latter is hard, loads of shuttle runs, crawls, push-up, and carries. In the afternoon you will be taken to Rednor Forest area where you will again be split into groups each with its own DS. This is basically a map reading exercise at speed; you carry 40lb bergens, belt kit and rifle. The DS use small 'sickeners' such as running up steep hills or making you carry extra weight.

Day 5

You are taken to Brecon swimming baths where you will swim 20 circuits of the pool. (Stay to the outside, do not try to cut corners and distance.) This is done wearing shirt and trousers, belt, and a full water bottle. You must also complete one width under water and be able to tread water for 10 minutes. Directly after this you return to Rednor Forest and repeat the map reading exercise of the previous day. An evening meal is supplied via containers before you set off on your first night march. A simple route is as follows:

Day 6

After your night march you are driven to the Forest of Dean for an orienteering course, for this you will be paired off with another student. (Use the travel time to get a bit more kip.) The course consists of six waypoints around the forest, all of which are fairly easy, that said the DS will harass you to make better time. 30lb bergens are carried.

Day 7

You rise at 7 am and are taken out to Sennybridge training area where the DS will beast you rotten for about two hours. Stay with it, show the DS you are hanging in there and can take a lot more. You return to camp and are normally stood down until Monday morning. Have a beer but don't get drunk, stuff your face with protein.

Day 8

Have a lie in. Check your clothing for wear and do repairs. Check your boots and feet. Get an early night's sleep. You will get a brief that evening on the nest day's activities.

Day 9

Parade at 7 am where you will get your colour for the day and be told which truck to get on. You will be taken to the Elan Valley, use the travel time to sleep. At the start point you will have your bergen weighed before being given your first grid reference. Make sure you know and understand exactly where you are going. The route will be around 15km and will take about 4 hours 30 minutes. A similar route in Rednor.

Start point Road Junction Grid 1080 6465
RV1 Trig-point 538 Grid 1705 6065
RV2 East end of Pool Grid 1400 5940
RV3 Telephone Box Grid 1255 5820
Finish point Road/River Bridge Grid 1140 5445

Day 10

You do more or less the same procedure as for day 9 but with a different route. You will have a 40lb bergen and be required to finish the route in about 4 hours 30 minutes. Distance 20km.

Day 11

Still in the Rednor area, 40lb bergen, 14km. Typical route:

Day 12

Rest day. The DS will give you pointers on what and where you have been going wrong, and you will receive a briefing on test week.

Day 13

Rednor Forest with a 45lb bergen, distance 29km in about six hours.

Day 14

Day off. Rest up and get ready for some really serious work.

Day 15

'Pipeline' is a 23km march over the Brecon Beacons with a 50lb bergen. It is hard. Typical route:

Day 16

'Point to Point' is a 25km with a 50lb bergen.

Start point Lay-by with a 50lb bergen. Start point Lay-by Grid 972 222
RV1 Pen-V-Fan Grid 012 216
RV2 Car Park Grid 024 249
RV3 Pen-V-Fan Grid 012 216
RV4 Track Junction Grid 034 182
Finish/start point Grid 972 222

Day 17

'Heavy Carry' means a 70lb bergen. This is extremely difficult. You start off with a 50lb bergen but after a short time you are made to carry a twenty pound ammunition box full of concrete; this weight is additional to your rifle, belt kit, water and rations. The distance is around 15km. Typical route:

 Day 18 

'Endurance,' or 'Long Drag' is a real bitch. All I can say is of you made it this far it is worth putting your all into this final march. You have to walk 40 miles over the Brecon Beacons with a 55lb bergen in 20 hours. You will start around midnight with little or no sleep between the previous day's march and Endurance. Sleep on the truck if you can, every little helps. Typical route:

Tip: each time you approach a RV make sure you do so in good order, that is to say, look fresh, no cloths hanging off you; carry your weapon correctly. GIVE YOUR COLOUR CODE AND NUMBER I.E. 'Williams, blue route two, Staff.'

If asked where you are show the DS by pointing with a blade of grass or the corner of your compass; don't use your finger. When you get told the nest grid indicate it on the map, the DS will only tell you twice. Move away and plan your next leg. Look confident.

Day 19 and Onward to Jungle Training

Well, if you make it this far give yourself a pat on the back. You will be taken back to Hereford where you will be given much deserved long weekend break. When you return on the Monday you will be integrated with new SBS who have passed their initial selection course. At this stage you will be formed into four man patrols, normally two SAS and tow SBS. You will practise patrol techniques and ambush drills ready for the jungle phase. You will also learn how to handle the M16, Claymore mine and how to operate the PRC 319 radio. For those who are not familiar, detailed instruction is given on using a One-Time Pad (OTP) for encrypting messages.

It is good advice to get yourself into the jungle before you attend selection. The advantages of having served time in jungle conditions are of enormous benefit. That is not to say that those attending the jungle phase will fail, some students take to the jungle as if it were their natural habitat, others find it claustrophobic. A short posting to Belize or a course at the jungle training school will stand you in good stead.