Defence cuts - Elite Forces

[Carl Dowd]

SAS lose veterans and TA regiment - Telegraph

The Director of Special Forces, a major general who cannot be named, will meet with reserve SAS soldiers this week to inform them that their services are no longer required.

The Army is most concerned by the calibre of the officers who have asked to leave. At least five commanding officers or future battalion commanders have handed in their papers.

They include three highly-talented officers with extensive front-line experience. One was about to take command of a Gurkha infantry battalion, another was due to head a battalion from The Rifles and the third was from The Parachute Regiment. At least two were considered future general material.

The number of SAS officers opting to leave has also increased, with at least five quitting in the past eight months.

 

[Deleted member 33]

I have to agree that in these modern times cuts do need to be made. The battlefield is not what is used to be. The parachute role and the emergence of 16 Air Assault from 5 AB is an example of that. SF will always be required and when the war in the middle east comes to an end in the next few years the scale will have to adapt. We have 3 excellent SF units but like the article mentioned, the old and bold have had their day and a more streamlined operation is required.

I am still surprised as to why the AAC has not been amalgamated/ disbanded with the RAF assuming that role. Cut the head shed and streamline that.



Rich H