How do you join the sbs?

Answer 1

1.) Join the British Armed Forces; pass initial training, and then serve for a few years. Most (95%+) members of the Special Boat Service are Royal Marines - although it is possible to join the SBS from other branches of the UK military, realistically your best start is service with the RM. The tiny number of SBS men who are not Marines tend be military divers (eg Royal Navy Clearance Divers; Royal Engineer divers) who want to "take it further", or infantry types who have developed a taste for water sports. To be a "good prospect" for Special Forces you need to perform very well in your job; be extremely physically fit (and be very good at land navigation, hill walking, and core "soldier skills"), and achieve rapid promotion to Junior NCO level. The majority of succesful candidates on SF Selection have at least 5 years' service under their belts - typically they'll be aged 22-26, and will be at least full corporals.

2.) Apply for Special Forces, declaring a desire to join the SBS, and if "cleared" (administratively, medically, and security wise), attend and pass Special Forces Selection and Continuation training, which lasts about six months...

3.) If you get this far (over 90% of candidates fail!), and can also pass diving aptitude etc, then attend and pass SBS Selection & Training - about another year.

4.) If successful in all of the above (and assuming you pass the highest level of security vetting), then you will become a probationary member of the SBS, but will only become a permanent member of the SBS after a year or two of satisfactory service which will include qualifying for promotion to Sergeant (if not already achieved), as well as further specialist courses and operational experience.

It's also worth noting that the SBS's "parent organisation", the Royal Marines, insists that all SBS men rotate regularly back into the Corps for periods of service in rifle companies and/ or other parts of the Royal Marines, so even if permanently assigned to the SBS, it is normal to spend six months to a year every 3 or 4 years working in such jobs as platoon sergeant in a Commando company, or in 3 Commando Brigade Intelligence Cell, or maybe as a recruit instructor or member of the Fleet Security and Protection Group etc.. Very sensibly, IMO, the Royal Marines do not like SBS men to disappear permanently into the "black hole" of Special Ops, thinking it very important (for the sake of both individuals and the Corps) that balanced perspectives and broader experiences are sustained throughout a career.

In common with all British Special Forces, officers usually only serve initial three year tours before returning to the "mainstream", but can opt (providing adequate fitness etc still pertains - usually demonstrated by repeating the "Test Week" of Initial Selection) to return for further tours at higher leadership levels - eg as a Major commanding a squadron. An officer who has served two successful tours in Special Forces, and completed successfully the other courses necessary for higher promotion (eg Staff College), may then be permanently reassigned to SF and considered for Special Forces appointments at Lt Colonel level such as Commanding Officer (SAS, SBS, Special Reconnaissance Regt, Special Forces Support Group), and then above as full Colonel, Brigadier etc..