Drive to recruit reservists as SAS prepares for war

BRITAIN’S special forces are advertising for super-fit members of the public to join their ranks and fill shortages.

- Marco Giannangeli

Anyone from Civvy Street can apply to join the SAS or SBS Reserves as long as they pass the training. 

It comes as commanders fear low manning levels will hit their ability to participate in future covert operations.

The SAS and SBS usually rely on crack troops from the Paras or Royal Marines to provide most of their recruits.

But Armed Forces shortages have left the elite units just 65 per cent full – levels not seen since they were formed during the Second World War.

The crisis in recruitment comes with the need for their services across the Middle East, Africa and in Europe growing.

To combat this, adverts for reservists appeared in various military magazines last week.