SBS Special Boat Service Selection
A candidate must have at least two years experience of regular service in the British Armed Forces In order to be eligible for the SBS selection. In prior years, candidates were from the Royal Marines and Royal Navy. Today, candidates volunteer from all of the Armed Forces Services. In order to qualify as a Swimmer Canoeist, all candidates must first go through Special Forces Selection with the SAS prior to continuing to the SBS selection.
Selection for the SBS(R) is a little different as candidates must have previous military experience or they must have served at least two years in the Royal Marines Reserve. Candidates must also pass the three main fundamentals of the UKSF selection. This consists of the Hills Phase @ 4 km/h, the Ex Atap Hurdle, and the SERE. These essentials give each candidate the special qualifications of the swimmer canoeist.
In order to qualify as an SBS Swimmer Canoeist, candidates are put through an extensive training course. The training includes:
● Extensive diving technique
● Parachuting practice
● Demolition methods
● Infiltration of ships and oil platforms
● Canoeing skills
● Survival training in the wilds of Scotland
● Beach reconnaissance, including photography
● Maritime Counter-Terrorism activities
Candidates who pass the initial selection course are qualified as Swimmer Canoeists (SC3) as they are then considered probationers. Advancement to the Corporal or Sergeant level is predicated on the qualifications of the SC2 and SC1. Advancement to Sergeant also requires the completion of the Senior Command Course at Commando Training Centre Royal Marines which is mandatory for all Royal Marines at this stage.
Upon qualifying, the SBS Marines wear the branch badge on the left cuff of the green and blue uniform jackets. They also wear the letters SC over a wreath. Officers do not wear branch designators. Upon qualification as an advanced parachutist, soldiers are awarded the SBS variant of the Special Forces parachute wings. They wear their wings on the shoulder of the right sleeve. Marines continue to wear the commandos green beret.