U.K. Special Forces: Making the Cut – Jungle Training

Listen to the stories of Special Forces veterans as they reveal some of the hard, sometimes gruesome, truths about the challenges of their training. U.K. Army Copyright

What are the Special Forces?

The Special Forces are made up of several units with distinct areas of expertise. Recruits come from across the UK, Ireland, the Commonwealth and Nepal. They include both regular soldiers and reservists, men and women. Other units from the armed forces support Special Forces operations from time to time.

Operations

Special Forces operate all over the world;. They carry out four types of mission: counter-terrorism; surveillance and reconnaissance; strike; and support and influence. Speed, secrecy, precision, and the ability to work with local people are vital ingredients for mission success.

Origins

Today’s Special Forces have their origins in the commando units created during the Second World War. Although most of these were disbanded in 1945, the subsequent growth of nationalist and communist insurgencies, against both British rule and Britain’s allies, created a military context that sometimes required small specialist units. Since then, several Special Forces units have been re-established.

Making the cut

Special Forces have always been highly selective, requiring prospective personnel to endure exceptionally challenging physical and psychological tests. Candidates are drawn from all branches of the armed services; the majority from the Parachute Regiment and the Royal Marines.