SAS at risk of recruitment crisis as Army is stretched to the limit
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/8471560/SAS-at-risk-of-recrui tment-crisis-as-Army-is-stretched-to-the-limit.html The SAS is facing a shortage of recruits because ordinary soldiers are too over-stretched to apply for the elite regiment, a leaked letter from the head of infantry has warned. By Thomas Harding, Defence Correspondent 9:30PM BST 24 Apr 2011 The high "operational tempo" of the Armed Forces and the "unrelentingly demanding" operations in Afghanistan are combining to "mitigate against Special Forces recruitment", Brig Richard Dennis warned. The SAS was also losing its unique position in the military as "interesting operations are no longer seen as the preserve of Special Forces". The disclosure is a major blow as the SAS is regarded as the world's pre-eminent Special Forces unit. The regiment has played a leading role in the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq and is thought to be responsible for seizing key terrorists. However, the head of the infantry said in the letter to Gen Sir Peter Wall, the head of the Army, that he now had deep concerns over the "challenge of fully manning the SAS". In the letter, seen by The Daily Telegraph, he warned that immediate action was needed to increase the "depth and quality" of potential recruits. The letter also quoted the commanding officer of 22 Special Air Service Regiment who expressed the need for "more youthful, quality volunteers". Brig Dennis listed a number of areas of concern, including the lack of opportunity to train for selection as a result of operations in Afghanistan and a perceived "fear of failure" among soldiers. Although official figures are never released, The Daily Telegraph understands that the SAS has a staffing crisis with a shortage of one-third of its total front-line strength. The letter also indicated serious manning issues within the wider Army, which is about to be reduced by 5,000, saying there was a shortfall of 700 corporals and the equivalent of at least one captain for every rifle company that was hindering recruitment. The letter quoted the commanding officer of 22 SAS speaking at the annual infantry conference. "He emphasised the understandable need for more youthful, quality volunteers, whilst accepting that opportunities for exacting service existed within most aspects of current RD [regimental duty] operational deployments." Brig Dennis then wrote: "I am content, notwithstanding the need to avoid any complacency, that the infantry community delivers sufficient officer and soldier volunteers to Selection. I am less confident about how we guarantee better depth of quality to increase selection pass rates. "Indeed, for any measure to be successful you might consider that Army action is essential if we are to increase selection success and the enduring quality of our SF [Special Forces] community." The letter is one of the most serious indications that the Government's draconian defence cuts are undermining the Armed Forces at a time when the Libyan conflict is intensifying and 10,000 troops are deployed in Afghanistan. It is understood that, contrary to some reports, SAS units are not currently operating undercover in Libya. The staffing crisis that has gripped the SAS is said to have led to urgent discussions between the Director of Special Forces and senior Army commanders. "Manning levels are at an all-time low and we can't get away from it," said a Special Forces source. "It used to be that we could operate well enough with 10 per cent down but with a third of the guys either leaving for security jobs, coming to the end of their careers or getting injured it is getting serious." SAS officers, both serving and retired, have made it clear that the manpower situation could become "irretrievable" if the Army is reduced to a predicted 82,000 men in the 2015 defence review, further shrinking the pool of troops available. There are also strategic issues, since the SAS is seen as the biggest asset that Britain has to offer in the alliance with America alongside the nuclear deterrent. While SAS fatalities are reported, statistics for wounded remain secret. However, it has now become apparent that the unit has suffered a high casualty rate similar to infantry units on the front line. There are reported to be a number of amputees on light duty at their base in Hereford and in one incident in Afghanistan last year, eight Special Forces soldiers were badly injured in a single attack. "You cannot be in this type of environment deploying loads with lots of lead going down without people getting hurt," said a serving Special Forces soldier. "There is also a bow wave of guys who have come to end of their time. They are desperately trying to make up shortfall." A large number of SAS troops have left for the more lucrative private security market, although some have been tempted back with large financial inducements. SAS selection is regarded as the most arduous military course in the world. Candidates spend a month running over the Welsh mountains with 50lb loads, which culminates in the 40-mile endurance march. They then spend weeks in the jungle, suffering dehydration and deprivation, followed by a course in escape and evasion, culminating in the resistance to interrogation. On average one in 10 makes it through to earn the sandy-coloured SAS beret. The letter warned that the amount of deployments the infantry are doing abroad "does not allow best preparation for selection" and said commanding officers' views differed about allowing soldiers time off for training. Many soldiers also remain apprehensive about SAS selection because the "fear of failure remains acute". "How do we encourage more towards Selection without pushing too hard?" the letter, which was written in February, asked. It also suggested that commanders should "talent spot and nurture" potential SAS men. Brig Dennis concluded that the shortages meant the Army had to "take a more active role in encouraging Selection" as troops begin to withdraw from Afghanistan. In last October's defence review the MoD announced a significant increase in spending on Special Forces equipment and capacity. However, this appears yet to yield further recruits. A MoD spokesman said: "We do not normally comment on SF matters and we can see no reason to change that policy on this occasion." The Daily Telegraph has been asked to not publish certain sensitive information contained in the letter at the request of the Defence Advisory Notice Committee. 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