Submitted by James Radcliffe

The special air service or SAS is more than just a special force for use in war. It is widely considered to be the model unit. The SAS have been used by the British government for Hostage rescue, covert intelligence in war zones and fighting Drugs cartels in south America amongst other things. The story of the unit "Bravo two zero" and what happened to it during the gulf war is now the stuff of legends. This is one unit out of many. The SAS's ability to operate anywhere in the world, in any conditions and using teams of less than 10 men make it the ultimate special force. Aegis would be foolish to ignore the SAS as an organisation from which to recruit.

Selection

Every 6 months hopefuls from all over the world apply to join this unit, although it mostly contains British people. Selection starts with a standard Army Battle fitness tests followed by marches across the Brecon beacons. Initially these are team efforts but on the third week candidates go solo. These marches are set day and night so that candidates are against the clock as well as the elements. Marches are routed around RV (rendezvous) points and only when soldiers reach 1 point are they told where to find the rest. Sleep depravation is also thrown in. They are expected to crawl through all obstacles including the entrails of dead sheep. Anyone deemed to be passengers, unfit or "mouths on sticks" are binned. In the 2nd and 3rd week candidates continue forced marches up and down skirrid (a 500 meter peak) in which they are on their own. Distances and weights on their backs are increased daily and last minute changes of plans (extra distances, early morning calls etc.). Further on into selection they will have to march up and down a 3000 foot mountain 3 times. At any point an instructor might ask them to solve a mathematical problem or re-aassemble a foreign weapon. To compound these difficulties they will have to swim across the river Wye carrying rifle, Bergen (backpack) and clothes.

At the end of the course, comes a 46 mile endurance march to be completed in under 20 hours. The men have to jog most of the way carrying 55 pounds, candidates are given no dispensation if weather is bad. In winter men have died. Even after this the successful candidates are not in, they have to pass through 14 weeks of continuation training. This includes planning for an assault, learning how to operate covertly in 4 man patrols behind enemy lines, intelligence gathering, sabotage, ambush and causing civil unrest. Continuation ends with combat and survival which ends with escape and evasion when candidates are on the run from trackers and when caught they are put through the rigors of interrogation. Those who are left then undertake 6 weeks jungle training in the far east. Finally they take a 4 week parachute course. Those who are left make it in, although advanced training is yet to begin. The final pass rates range from 5% to 17%. Even after they have passed they can be binned if they don't keep up to standard. Peter Darman, a military historian, says that this is the toughest selection course in the world.

Patrols

The SAS usually use 4 man patrols for operations, although this is sometimes increased. The 4 types are: Medic, signaller, Demolition's expert and linguist.

SAS Professions: A player may be one of these 4 professions

Medic	Training: Awareness, Navigation, Parachutist, Rappelling, Surveillance, Survival
	Skills: Athletics, Autofire, Brawling, Diplomacy, Drive, Escape, First aid, Medical, Melee weapon, Science, Small arms, Stealth
Signaller	Training: Awareness,Communications, Navigation, Parachutist, Rappelling, Surveillance, Survival
	Skills: Athletics, Brawling, Computer use, Cryptology, Diplomacy, Drive, Escape, First aid, Melee weapon, Small arms, Stealth, Tracking
Demolition's expert	Training: Awareness, Navigation, Parachutist, Rappelling, Surveillance, Survival
	Skills: Athletics, Autofire, Brawling, Demolitions, Diplomacy, Drive, Escape, First aid, Heavy weapons, Melee weapon, Small arms, Stealth
Linguist	Training: Awareness, Navigation, Parachutist, Rappelling, Savoir Faire, Surveillance, Survival
	Skills: Athletics, Autofire, Brawling, Diplomacy, Drive, Escape, First aid, Language, Melee weapon, Small arms, Stealth

Pulling strings

Access to Nato bases: The operative may try to use his SAS background to enter Nato bases. However all non British bases receive +1DF. To enter a "Normal" base is DF 2, a high security base DF 3 and DF4 for ultra top secret bases like the pentagon.

Intense training: The SAS spend millions training their soldiers, the player may purchase 15 CPs worth of skills and trainings.

Media censorship: Although SAS men are careful not to get caught on camera, there is a section of the official secrets act which prevents SAS men being photographed by the media and authorises the SAS to seize all footage. Getting the media off an agents back is a Df1 test in the UK, elsewhere it is Df4 due to the fact other countries laws are different and diplomatic negotiations are required. However the Ministry of defence might decide to see the footage for themselves to check this power isn't abused. Each time this pulling string is used a Luck check should be made. Bad Luck results in the MoD scrutinizing the footage which may lead to problems depending on what the agent was trying to hide.

Access to training facility: The SAS training facility may provide the players for training in any of the following skills if the SAS character succeeds in a DF1 test (+1 for each non SAS member attending)

	Training list: Awareness, communications, Navigation, Parachutist, Rappelling, Surveillance, Survival
	Skill list: Athletics, Autofire, Brawling, Computer use, Cryptology, Demolitians, Drive, Escape, First aid, Heavy weapons, Language, Medical, Melee weapon, Small arms, Stealth, Tracking

Cheaper military equipment: The SAS operative may buy all equipment with the military influence icon at 1rp less than normal. If the equipment is already 1rp then its quantity is doubled.

Bibliography

SAS-The soldiers' story		Jack Ramsay
The worlds special forces		Peter Darman
Bravo two zero		Andy Mcnab
Immediate action		Andy Mcnab

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