The Special Boat Service | Pass The SBS Selection Process

The Special Boat Service has the ultimate responsibility for responding to the constant threat of terrorism against any of the UK’s maritime interests. The SBS and its elite ‘M’ Squadron uses many different methods for rescuing hostages from oil rigs, ships and other off-shore vessels and infrastructures.

The SBS is regarded as one of the most respected and feared units of all the fighting forces across the world and this is what attracts people to this career. The mystery that surrounds them is both intriguing and fascinating. Only the best get to become a member of this elite fighting force and this unique guide will provide you with an insight into their selection procedure.

special boat service

The Royal Navy’s Special Boat Service is a Special Forces unit which is based in the Dorset. It mainly specialises in secret operations at sea in international waters. The aim is get in and get out without even being noticed.

The Boat Service was previously known as the Special Boat Squadron and was originally open to the royal marines. This has now changed and the special boat service is now open to members of other regiments throughout the entire military.

The boat service is similar to the SAS and the selection processes are some of the toughest to pass in the world. You not only need to stand out as an ideal candidate but you need to be the best of the best. However people often mistakenly believe that to join the SBS you need to be over 6 foot and have a large build. The SBS look for candidates that have a high fitness level and who can blend into the background without being noticed and without standing out.

Once the joint UK Special Forces selection is completed only a few will remain. Those who have been successful from the SAS candidates are given their beige beret and then assigned a particular squadron and troop. SBS candidates then have to go onto more selection tests which are ultimately designed to test their ability in the water.

We will show you everything you need to know to pass the special boat service with this 130+ pages INSIDER guide created by those who know what it takes to succeed...

- Introduction to the Special boat service
- Badges And Insignia
- Weapons Used By The Sbs
-Assault Rifle - Diemaco C8 Sfw
- Sub Machine Gun - Hk Mp5
- Assault Carbine - Hk53
- Weapons Used By The Sbs
- Sniper / Assault Rifle - G3
- Pistol - Sig Sauer P226
- Light Machine Gun - Fn Minimi Para
- Machine Gun - L7a1 Gpgm
- Sniper Rifle - L96a1
- Underwater Pistol - Hk P11
- Grenade - Flashbang
- Equipment Used By The Sbs
- Surface Boats
- Fully / Rigid Inflatables
- Long Range Insertion Craft (Lric)
- Klepper Canoes
- Underwater Craft
- Mini-Subs And Swimmer Delivery Vehicles
- Boarding Equipment
- Collapsible Ladders
- Caving Ladders
- Grappling Hooks
- Diving Equipment
- Lar V Draeger
- Vehicles
- Quad Bikes
- Landrovers

Chapter 2: The History Of The Special Boat Service (pages 18 – 25)

- The History Of The SBS
- World War 2
- The Korean War
- Northern Ireland
- Protecting The Qe2
- Counter Terrorism
- The Falklands Conflict
- The Formation Of M Squadron
- SBS Renames And Joins Uksf
- Desert Storm
- East Timor
- Sierra Leone
– Operation Barras
- Iraq

SBS selection is tough and there are certainly no secret formulae to succeeding. Your focus should begin months in advance of selection. Preparing yourself both mentally and physically is the key to your success. How badly you want this is down to you and nobody else.

If you are poor at map reading then you will struggle during selection. The majority of candidates who arrive for selection will not have read a map for many months and they will soon feel the pressure.

- Introduction To The Selection Process
- Special Forces Briefing Course (SFBC)
- The SBS Selection Process
- Further Information On THE SBS Selection Process

- Focus On Your Goal
- Fitness Preparation
- Get To Know The Brecon Beacons
- Map Reading Competence
- Be Prepared For The Elements
- Your Clothing And Personal Hygiene
- Be Physically And Mentally Prepared For
- The Route Selection Stages
- Learn To Live With Your Bergen
- Be Prepared For Escape & Evasion And Tactical Questioning
- Understand The Weather

The first 3 weeks of Special Forces selection are known as the ‘endurance’ phase. The main aim of the endurance phase is to test a soldier’s physical fitness and mental stamina and it is at this stage of the process where most people drop out. We will show you in this chapter what is required to succeed.

- Selection - Phase 1
- Phase 1 – Endurance Week 1
- Battle Fitness Test
- Phase 1 – Endurance Week 1
- Map Revision
- Swimming Test
- Orienteering
- Further Information On Orienteering
- Physical Exercise Sessions
- The Fan Dance
- Phase 1 – Week 2
- Phase 1 – Week 3

Chapter 6: Things To Consider During The Special Boat Service Selection (pages 73-78)

During selection you will be under constant assessment. Whilst this may not come as a surprise, there are a few important factors to consider that can all go a long way to helping you improve your scores and increase your chances of success. This chapter will show you what to consider during the selection process.

During continuation training you will learn the skills that are required to become a member of the SBS. This will include training in weapons, standard operating procedures, jungle training, parachuting, patrolling, and escape and evasion training. All members of the SBS must be able to swim competently and also dive.

- PHASE 2 - CONTINUATION TRAINING
- Jungle Training
- PHASE 2 - CONTINUATION TRAINING
- Escape & Evasion including Tactical Questioning (TQ)
- PHASE 2 - CONTINUATION TRAINING
- Escape & Evasion including Tactical Questioning (TQ) (continued)

Chapter 8: Post Selection (pages 83-85)

Once the selection process is completed candidates then have to go onto more selection tests which are ultimately designed to test their ability in the water.

- After the Joint Selection process
- Swimmer canoeist (SC3) training course
- Swimmer canoeist (SC3) training course (continued)

- Sections Of The Special Boat Service
- Maritime Counter Terrorism (Mct)
- Assault Gear / Weapons Include:
- Drug Running Interception
- Anti-Shipping Tasks
- Sabotage
- Covert Operations

Within this section of the guide we will show you the most effective way to prepare yourself for the SBS selection process. Many candidates who put themselves through selection will be ill-prepared and they won’t even realise it until they begin their time at Hereford. This chapter has 46 pages dedicated to helping you get special boat service fit and pass the selection process at the first attempt.

- Special Boat Service Mental Toughness
- How To Get Special boat service Fit
- Warming Up And Warming Down
- Basic Essential Exercises
- Exercise 1 – Press Ups
- Exercise 2 - Sit Ups
- Exercise 3 – The Bench Press
- Exercise 4 – Dips
- Exercise 5 – Pull Ups
- Exercise 6 – Lunges
- Exercise 7 – Hyperextensions
- Exercise 8 - Side Lateral Raises
- Exercise 9 – Bent Over Rowing
- Exercise 10 – Tricep Dips
- Exercise 11 – Bicep Curls
- Exercise 12 – Abdominal Crunches
- Exercise 13 – Leg Raises
- Running
- The Special boat service Running Programme
- Week 1-4
- Swimming
- Special boat service Swimming Programme
- Combining The Exercises
- The Combined Training Programme
- Week 1-3

Join The Special Boat Service