SAS soldiers hold various ranks, from enlisted Troopers (who start over at that rank after selection) to officers like Captains (leading troops) and Majors (commanding squadrons), including senior roles like Squadron Sergeant Majors (Warrant Officer Class 1), but specific ranks are often classified, with leaders commanding units such as troops and squadrons, requiring top-tier leadership and tactical skills.
SAS troops comprise of 16 men, led by a captain. There are 4 troops within each squadron, each specialising in a different method of insertion. The troops are Air Troop, Boat Troop, Mountain Troop and Mobility Troop. Non-officers who pass SAS selection lose their previous rank and are assigned the rank of trooper.
The SAS is a secret organisation. Its members often do not tell anyone except close family that they are in it.
Mark (Billy) Billingham MBE
During his 27 years service with the SAS, Billy achieved the rank of Warrant Officer Class 1(WO1), the highest rank possible. In his time with the elite unit he received an MBE for leading the mission in Iraq to rescue a British hostage.
Neither SAS nor SBS is definitively "more elite"; they are equally elite but specialized, with the SAS focusing on land/air and the SBS on maritime/amphibious roles, both part of the UK's UK Special Forces (UKSF) and sharing the same rigorous Joint Special Forces Selection process, with SBS adding extra maritime training like swimmer-canoeist skills. Think of them as the Army's and Navy's top-tier counterparts within the same elite special forces framework.
Jason Fox, widely known as 'Foxy', is a distinguished television presenter, adventurer, and former UK Special Forces soldier. He began his military career at 16 by joining the Royal Marines Commandos in 1992, and in 2001, advanced to the Special Boat Service, achieving the rank of Sergeant.
Paddy Mayne's reputation in the SAS: how his legend was born
Paddy Mayne went on to lead a series of successful desert raids in Africa, helping to build the SAS's reputation as an ever-present threat to the enemy's tail, while becoming an inspiration to the tough ex-commandos serving under him.
BEAR GRYLLS OBE, has become known worldwide as one of the most recognized faces of survival and outdoor adventure. Trained from a young age in martial arts, Grylls went on to spend three years as a soldier in the British Special Forces, as part of 21 SAS Regiment.
The United States is consistently ranked as having the #1 most powerful military in the world for 2025 by organizations like Global Firepower and Business Insider. This ranking stems from its massive defense budget, advanced technology, global power projection, and dominance in air, sea, and cyber warfare, though China has the largest number of active personnel.
In October 2018, recruitment policy changed to allow women to become members of the SAS for the first time. In August 2021, two women became the first to pass the pre-selection course, making them eligible for the full course.
Stirling Lines is a British Army garrison in Credenhill, Herefordshire; the headquarters of the 22 Special Air Service Regiment (22 SAS), Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR) and 18 (UKSF) Signal Regiment. The site was formerly a Royal Air Force (RAF) non-flying station for training schools, known as RAF Credenhill.
The unit's Sergeant Major - often regarded as the most powerful soldier within the SAS has since ruled that all its troops must follow the Army's standard dress code and has banned beards indefinitely.
You can become a Sniper within the SAS but it is a long process. You can't join the SAS direct, you have to serve several years within the Army to learn how to become a soldier. From there, you need to apply for SAS selection which only runs twice a year.
Prince Harry received promotions in all three services in June 2018, becoming a major in the Army, a lieutenant commander in the Royal Navy and a squadron leader in the Royal Air Force. However, Harry has now lost the honorary Navy and RAF ranks.
Since our formation more than 375 years ago, the Scots Guards has forged a reputation as one of the toughest fighting units in the British Army. As a Light Mechanised regiment, we use the Foxhound armoured vehicle to deploy rapidly and engage enemy troops.
'Paddy' Mayne: An Irish Lion. Lieutenant-Colonel 'Paddy' Mayne is a legendary figure in the history of the Special Forces. A celebrated sportsman with a turbulent character, he played a vital role in the early successes of the Special Air Service (SAS), becoming one of its most important commanders.
Bear Grylls Adventure at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre closed in December 2024 after six years. Merlin Entertainments – who ran the centre for thrill seekers – blamed "commercial challenges" and the lasting financial effects following the Covid pandemic.
On completion of training they are considered to be ready in most respects to deploy to any trouble spot the World over. Amphibious specialists. Extreme Cold Weather Warfare specialists. 43% of the 'badged' manpower in the UK's SF (SAS, SBS & SRR) belong to the Royal Marines.
John 'Lofty' Wiseman
He applied for service with the Special Air Service Regiment in 1959 and set a record as the youngest person ever to pass selection at the age of 18.
SAS training is far harder. SEALs are absolutely some of the best Special Operations troops in the world. That said, the real comparison is SAS / SBS and Delta / DEVGRU — SEAL Team 6. SEAL enlisted and officers can go to BUDs after their initial training.
UK Special Forces (Reserve) UKSF(R) comprising of 21 SAS(R), 23 SAS(R), SBS(R) and 63 (UKSF) Signals Squadron, is tasked to the highest level and can operate in difficult and often changing circumstances, sometimes in absence of guidance and within situations that have significant operational and strategic importance.
He also experienced sickness on the show before making his quick exit. John has now disclosed that his illness was triggered by being obliged to consume 'vile tofu', as it was the only food available at the camp.
One of just seven candidates to pass from an initial 250 that started his course, he joined the Special Boat Service (SBS) and additionally trained as a combat frogman and submersible pilot.
Megan Fox's "disease" refers to her public statements about struggling with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), a mental health condition causing obsessive preoccupation with perceived flaws in appearance that others don't see, leading to significant distress and life disruption. She's also spoken about past struggles with severe eating disorders, manic depression, and OCD, highlighting her long-term challenges with body image and mental health.