SAS SELECTION 02: Aptitude 'The Hills' With Phil Campion Former 22 SAS

In this episode of our SAS Selection Series, former 22 SAS Trooper Big Phil Campion talks us through the Aptitude phase of the course, that takes place on the hills of the infamous Brecon Beacons.
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[@davidrhodes7655]

Probably the coolest bloke I've ever listened too from the Special Forces

[@leefinch589]

I was selection clerk when you did Selection. I was the one going around the accommodation telling guys they needed to go see the Trg Offr (Merv) and get a yellow warning or if they already had one, they were off the course. Two officers from that course are now Lt Generals I remember having a pint with you after you finished the Hills and you telling the story of your map disintegrating and you still managed to navigate without it.

[@ForceRadioHQ]

I’ve just relayed your story to Phil and he said to get in comms with you, drop us a DM on any of our social media channels!

[@graemejones218]

Hi Phil. I am a civvy. But I've done 3 F/D's with Ken Jones & AEE. 2 in blistering heat during summer, & 1 they call the High Moon at night in midwinter. Came in under the cut off each time, not by a huge amount but still very happy. So I asked KJ if he'd let me volunteer & join the team. I was assigned to base camp registering people in, I had a 2 way radio during the events so I could pass messages, cross out those that were pulled or VW'd, etc. Between events, all DS & MST's gathered in the base camp marquee. And what a great bunch of people they all were. But my funniest memory was when they ordered 30 large pizza's from Merthyr Tydfil. I was given a bin bag of goodies after the weekend was finished & it's something I will always be proud of. Especially as I was over 50 when I did my 1st event. And this is just a small part of "The Hills." I have the upmost respect for anyone that gets through the whole thing. Absolutely amazing, all of you. I'll just stick with my cloth finishing patches. Oh, almost forgot, I too fell on my face & got retinal shock, blind in 1 eye for 14 hours.

[@richarddepledge960]

Absolutely spot on advice. Only other thing I would have added. Is make sure you can navigate day and night on your own. Without holding hands with your mates that go selection at same time. It's all individual effort.

[@keithpringle3940]

Cheers for that McNab!

[@grimaldus1967]

​@@keithpringle3940😂😂😂

[@edwardodonnell6857]

Good listening to Phil I respect guys who have worked hard for what they’ve got.Be good to see Phil doing more tv work.

[@ForceRadioHQ]

Thank you for your support 💪🏻🇬🇧 We'd love it if you helped us spread the word!

[@ginojaco]

There is a certain quality that Phil has which just makes me laugh; I can't put a finger on it, but he just cracks me up. 🙂

[@jaytowey6226]

It’s the way he throws slang in and humour hed be boss to have a bevy with

[@andrewthomas4897]

really enjoyed that phil respect to anyone who gets through selection

[@N1ck0A]

Enjoyed that, Phil 👍

[@Jamesandkate]

We started from Talybont at 11pm. Made it back 18 hours later, and I thought that was quick. 16 hours is next level.

[@kingjohnsobieski3]

I did 21 SAS selection way back in the early 80s. I took a step back when we did the hills phase and thought, "I used to spend petrol money getting here to train, now I'm getting paid to do it." I took the military out of mind and just blitzed it. I was lucky enough to do winter selection, which I've always preferred tabbing in. The jungle, I took minute by minute. For a boy from South East London, the jungle was like landing on a foreign planet. Relentless bloody heat and humidity, and those insects!! Absolutely soul destroying. Routines, alcohol wipes, and the pleasure of (almost) dry kit. I was lucky to remain mostly uninjured (Which accounts for a LOT of withdrawals.) Fooking 40 years ago now!! To be absolutely honest, I found the weekends after selection to be a bit boring. It's not the regulars, I know, but it all got a bit samey. I doubt VERY much I would have had that complaint in 22, which I still take my hat off to anyone who passes THAT selection process. My advice; if you're umming and aahing about trying out, just do it. You'll know soon enough if you're suited. Either you'll bin it, or they'll bin you. It IS hard, but you CAN do it. My knees and back don't thank me for it now!

[@ForceRadioHQ]

Thank you for sharing your story! 😁

[@HarmerSimon]

Really interesting - I'm sure young hopefuls will find this really useful.

[@ForceRadioHQ]

We hope so 💪🏻

[@tuningemporium]

16 hours for a test march, amazing :)

[@shirleydrury5565]

How bid they get knackered on a mile and half run. Bloody hell. Love the the up load phil😊

[@hendrix2478]

Amazing.. Thank you.

[@rcherrycoke7322]

Great video

[@ForceRadioHQ]

Thanks for your support! ⚔️

[@granitesevan6243]

Always makes me smile hearing the English lads butcher the Welsh place-names 😂😂😂 Cracking videos though and big respect to Phil and anyone else who gave this a go

[@ianblair9752]

What a great insight for someone to prep themselves. I didn't realize 264 Sig Sqn, did "part" of their selection course with the main 22 selection process. I knew they did a separate escape and invasion phase as I was involved with a hunter force from another Signals unit and had to go on an anti integration course before hand.

[@ForceRadioHQ]

Thanks for watching!

[@steveaustin9386]

What did the weight start at on Fan Dance and end at at test week?

[@ImaSMACKHEAD982]

Big phils beret is weapon!! Never seen a smarter lid 😅

[@paulstiles7420]

CHEERS MATE....

[@ForceRadioHQ]

Thanks for watching!

[@na-dk9vm]

Phil, from the first minute of selection, untill you got your beret, is there one test or moment where you always think back as the absolute hardest,when you were absolutly hanging..??

[@DrCrabfingers]

Finger up the bum.

[@harryblinkhorn2792]

The fan dance

[@jay-el8tn]

How much weight is on your back on the fan dance ?

[@terryevans2411]

Eez funny😂

[@joey1317]

Thanks for the insight! I wanted to join 23 SAS and then apply for 22 SAS but I spent my years talking myself out of it. I’m 44 now and so I’m too old to join. It’s one of the biggest regrets of my life not joining…..

[@joey1317]

@@sacredneutral7304 maybe not so much now as I’m 44 but in my 20s sure. But now I feel my endurance has got better even though I feel my speed has not…..

[@na-dk9vm]

​@@sacredneutral7304anyone who got in probably thought they could get in. Who are we to say he couldn't??

[@KnucksM8]

@sacredneutral7304 I mean why couldn’t he my dad was SBS, can already tell a lot about you as a person.

[@kingjohnsobieski3]

I did 21 SAS selection way back in the early 80s. I took a step back when we did the hills phase and thought, "I used to spend petrol money getting here to train, now I'm getting paid to do it." I took the military out of mind and treated it like my civvie marches. and just blitzed it. I was lucky enough to do winter selection, which I've always preferred tabbing in. The jungle, I took minute by minute. For a boy from South East London, the jungle was like landing on a foreign planet. Relentless bloody heat and humidity, and those insects!! Absolutely soul destroying. Routines, alcohol wipes, and the pleasure of (almost) dry kit. I was lucky to remain mostly uninjured (Which accounts for a LOT of withdrawals.) Fooking 40 years ago now!! To be absolutely honest, I found the weekends after selection to be a bit boring. It's not the regulars, I know, but it all got a bit samey. I doubt VERY much I would have had that complaint in 22, which I still take my hat off to anyone who passes THAT selection process. My advice; if you're umming and aahing about trying out, just do it. You'll know soon enough if you're suited. Either you'll bin it, or they'll bin you. It IS hard, but you CAN do it. My knees and back don't thank me for it now!

[@DM-yq3pr]

So basically are you fit? Can you navigate? The 2 questions asked of you in hill phase

[@na-dk9vm]

More so about mental fitness! Coming in after a 26k march and the DS telling you your "next grid ref" when you thought you were done, and you see the next rv is up on top of a mountain, when your legs are buckling underneath you, do you go up, or quit..

[@sacredneutral7304]

I have a question.. Why do they go to Brecon? Why don't they go to Scotland? Scotland is much more scenic and vast than anything in Wales

[@neiljones8908]

ARMY BASE THERE AND ONLY 40 MINS FROM SAS HQ AND THATS WHERE THEY ALWAYS GO.

[@thomasedmundrichards]

I don’t think they go for the scenery

[@sacredneutral7304]

@@neiljones8908 Perfect 🥰

[@sacredneutral7304]

@@thomasedmundrichards 🤣

[@naughtynightlifeasia857]

Not sure about how he is wearing that lid!

[@sacredneutral7304]

I love how the military treat their staff...Feed them absolute crap and expect to get the best out of them...Full English everyday... 😂

[@trevorsummerfield5173]

You must be about the same age has myself I would love for yourself to run across the Sahara Desert with me that’s a challenge marathon de sables name a charity. Ex SAS vs ex homeless guy. I’m wondering if your mindset is that strong So big fella ready when you are 👍

[@ericaddis7414]

Big Phil, you da man. Let's play golf in Pakistan. 😂😂

[@gravedigger9313]

Duh SADF training to become a simple troop Was insane You know what We kakked Really

[@ForceRadioHQ]

Thanks for watching

[@andreedowns4561]

We all know who you are now Phil....😅

[@SimDeck]

It seems like many former SAS soldiers are more interested in fame and celebrity than anything else. The mystique has faded.

[@christianblake3997]

I do get it though, it must tremendously frustrating to have experienced these things and not be able to talk about them! I was a scaley back and all my family treated me like I was John Rambo (well I’m not going to spoil their fantasy, am I😂) loved the mark billingham interview!😊

[@scotie2508]

There not looking for fame there trying to make a living and people want to hear there stories.