Middle-aged female troops leaving the armed forces are being urged to join SAS reserve units, The Daily Star Sunday can reveal.
Serving mums and grannies, along with their male colleagues, can volunteer to join the elite black-clad unit, provided they are aged 43 or under. The chance to join the SAS is now being offered to troops as part of a resettlement package for those leaving the Army but want to continue serving their country.
Instead of undertaking a course which might help soldiers with a future career, they can now undertake SAS selection. One Army source said: “Women play a vital role in the Special Forces. There aren’t any women serving in the SAS but there are plenty of women serving with the SAS.
“Women have served as members of the Special Reconnaissance Regiment since it was formed back in 2005. They have served onboard operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world.
“We just need women to break through the SAS glass ceiling – we are happy to take mothers, even grandmothers if they meet the age requirements and pass SAS selection for reservists.”
Details of the chance to join the SAS have been revealed within a newly published magazine called The Reservist.
In the article, the SAS states: “The Special Air Service is recruiting. Did you know Army leavers can do selection as part of their resettlement?
“Applications are accepted from men and women across all three services. Joiners must be no older than 43 and 364 days when they start selection.”
The article adds: “Unlike other reserve units, 21 and 23 SAS routinely deploy on their own missions as formed units, sub-units or small teams. This sets these soldiers apart with more responsibility than others.”
The UK Special Forces (UKSF) selection process is widely regarded as one of the toughest in the world’s armed forces. The pass rate for those attempting to join the SAS, including the reserves, is notoriously low, typically around 10 per cent.
The Aptitude Phase – known as the Hills Phase – is the first stage of selection, taking place in the Brecon Beacons in Wales.
SAS hopefuls have to complete a series of marches against the clock carrying a weight of around 30-35kg plus a rifle.
The phase culminates with the “Long Drag”, a 64km trek that must be completed in under 20 hours.
Applicants will undertake a further period of training on the Standard Operating Procedures and Tactics Course (SOPTAC) – an intensive period of instruction and assessment on Special Forces tactics, techniques and procedures.
The jungle phase follows in Belize or Brunei, widely regarded as the most demanding stage of the entire selection course.
The next phase tests a candidate’s ability to operate and survive behind enemy lines and those remaining undertake the SERE (Survive, Evade, Resist, Extract) training.
The final phase of selection is Continuation Training, which equips SAS reserve soldiers with all the skills required to be considered fully deployable, including Close Quarters Combat.
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