Once a volunteer has completed the "Fan Dance" he moves forward to the Continuation Training Programme, which last 14 weeks and is designed to provides candidates with the basic skills demanded of SAS troopers. These skills are the minimum for any new trooper, to enable him to be integrated into a four-man patrol - the smallest of the SAS operational units. Standard Operatiing Procedures (SOPs) include movement through hostile territory, the arcs of fire of each patrol member, and contact drills. Each candidate also receives training in the art of signalling, which is an extremely important task of four-man patrols. All candidates must achieve the British Army's Regimental Signaller standard, which includes the ability to send and receive Morse code at the minimum rate of eight words per minute. Other parts of this stage of training include field medicine, basic demolition skills, and languages.
Whithin the four-man patrol each trooper is assigned a specific role. When moving in file, for example, the leading man covers the area in front of the patrol in the arc of 10 and 2 o'clock, the man behind him (usually the patrol commander) covers the arc between 6 and 10 o'clock or between 2 and sic o'clock, the third man covers the arc opposite of the man in front, and the fourth man "Tail End Charlie" covers the rear of the patrol. The small size of the patrols puts much responsibility on each patrol member. SOPs must become second nature to the candidate to ensure the survival of it's members. Failure to cover a designated arc, could be a fatal mistake, but just as important are the basics of fieldcraft - target reconnaissance, weapons training, and ground control of artillery fire and aircraft fire. |
