SPECIAL FORCES - Why The First Selection Phase Isn't Hard

[@df9177]

Probably one of the most honest and clear descriptions of what selection is and what it involves you'll ever hear. 25yrs ago with E was different

[@thenaturaledge]

Thanks for watching mate.

[@SuperKinlo]

The comment “don’t go and jump straight out of an airplane” is exactly what I did. Don’t like flying and the idea of jumping out of a plane was terrifying, so went and put myself forward for PFT, did help that the AT was in Cyprus.

[@lowiseowl]

"Do something uncomfortable, feel really good afterwards" 100% this! Might be my new mantra!

[@thenaturaledge]

Take it and run with it! Thanks for watching 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼

[@lowiseowl]

@@thenaturaledge I will- it is becoming more evident how true it is!

[@charlesopuoro5295]

Physical Fitness is just the starting point. The true test is of the mind.

[@ericaddis7414]

Maybe but if your body won't do it you might get through a couple days with your mind but eventually your mind cannot make your body finish. The body can get the mind through if you are fit enough.

[@universeofannihilation4947]

Always been obessed with selection, since being a cadet and being told not to talk or give food to some guys being ragged up and down at Sennybridge. This unique and open perspective is entirely new. Especially from seeing the old channel 4 programes then more recently the TV show. This outlook is resfeshing, great work.

[@thenaturaledge]

Hey thanks for watching mate, I’m glad these videos still appeal. 👌🏼

[@TheBaconbush]

I dont watch many videos from start to finish without skipping parts of it. This video I did watch from start to finish. Nice one. SUBBED 👍

[@thenaturaledge]

Awesome, thank you!

[@palpafilms]

Great to have such good weather in Brecon!

[@thenaturaledge]

A perfect day

[@PumperPanda95]

Hey Simon, just wanted to say that your quality has been amazing recently. It's sad to see that you aren't getting the attention you deserve but please know that you are making lifes better (and if it's only mine).

[@thenaturaledge]

Thanks buddy, we've only just started and it's all a process, we'll get there.

[@Dorian1grey2]

@@thenaturaledge without a doubt.

[@RJC10101]

Anyone doing this kind of stuff has my respect

[@thenaturaledge]

🫱🏻‍🫲🏼

[@charlesopuoro5295]

Simon to me is like the Thinking Soldier's Thinking Soldier. I always look forward to his content that are marked by Intelligence. Salute!!!

[@thenaturaledge]

Thanks for watching Charles! 🤝

[@no_excuses]

Good to hear your military stories and your insight to committing to achieving an innate goal which is aligned to your desired identity💯👊

[@thenaturaledge]

Thank you mate!

[@WyeExplorer]

I can appreciate what you speak of; levels of demand, fear and ownership of the self. My father Terry Jickells had this mind set - he was 22 years in the regiment and ran selection with Lofty. A good teacher. Mind you my identical twin brother and I discovered that there is natural selection out there that is hyper tough. It revolves around stereotypes, xenophobia and the dust of the rumor mill that's designed to prevent you from connecting with your community. It's ravenous this system of competition that seeks to erode your light in order to prevent your rise if naturally distinctive. People are very easily threatened. How you deal with the difficulty of being unable to integrate in your community is the test. You can only accept the self but the journey to that if people fear you in the community is arduous and thwart with mistakes. I grew up with the SAS and even headed that way myself but I have never experienced anything as tough as being perceived as some kind of Boo Radley just because I was an identical twin with a pretty special family in small town England namely Hereford. Yeah, envy is a killer and it won't stop until it's got all of you. I'm writing a book about my dear identical twin brother Paul and myself now - it's a deep dive into stereotypes and discrimination and the tough cosmic selection that it is. Thanks for the debate. I fine these things interesting. Mark

[@Olly.]

Awesome production quality on this!

[@thenaturaledge]

Much appreciated!

[@chrisbeckett151]

When I passed RMC in 2006 the one thing that I was told that got me through anything was “ if you’re nakard running just imagine you’re being chased by the enemy.

[@thenaturaledge]

👀 who told you that? 🤣

[@seasider101]

As a PTI, I loved training with the guys going for selection/spec duties. We all had a great sense of humour, capable of achieving any physical task and always goading eachother to do more. I did 1k sit-ups in a sesh as I like a bit of 'punishment before nourishment' (my late dad's saying to me as a kid)... one of the guys (famously died during srr job) dejectedly looked down as I'd finished and said, "Stevie, how many?" And off he'd go with the others to match me. I'd then get punished by him later on the hill reps by the landfill site, Osnabruck. As he was DS on the srr selection. Apparently once the course had done their Pen y Fan session and headed back to camp, he'd make the other instructors redo the fan dance just because, why the feck not?! Thanks for the video ☘️

[@JamesHartnell]

The Talybont Valley is a lovey place - nice to start at the Lower Car Park and walk up past the waterfalls before getting out onto the hills.

[@thenaturaledge]

Agreed, I still head there a lot

[@Jameswashbrook1988]

These bits of content are pure gold Simon.

[@thenaturaledge]

Great to hear mate, thanks for watching pal 🤝

[@OffGridMadMan]

Great video lads, nice one. I'm 50 and falling apart physically but "rucking" with 25lbs, 4 times a week is my main exercise nowadays and i love it! It's very effective too as you'll know. Thank you 👍👍💯

[@thenaturaledge]

Keep it up buddy, thanks for watching the video and leaving a comment. 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼🐸

[@Glasshousebc]

Earning the plane ticket… nicely said, Royal. Bravo Zulu on the video, and the channel Simon. Stay great, mate Steve Mac.

[@thenaturaledge]

Thank you Steve, great to get the feedback, stay tuned. 💪

[@davidelms4165]

Like the descriptions. Determination is not even the word. I found that when i was at my lowest and i thought i could go no lower. There was another level and then one after that and so on

[@thenaturaledge]

I’m glad you see the meaning here and have found something that keeps you going

[@Iwasneverhere84]

Loving this channel more and more. Filming 100. Information 100. Insight 100. Love watching theses videos, keep it up!

[@thenaturaledge]

Thanks for that Joshua, stay tuned, there’s more in the pipeline. 🤝

[@robertlloyd3225]

Did p compony as guards para,PTI course selection in 74/5 being honest found it all hard. It's mind set still use it today both. 😊 knees replaced. Broke back in 76 can't do the mountain no more just help mental health groups to achieve their goals teaching them basic mountain skills as they bloody need it and cold water emersion. And still ice swim myself heart. In Af at the moment. 2 heart attacks in the last to months. 71 this year its surprising what you can do and a active. Remember MIND SET. AND LOOK AFTER YOUR SELF. STAY SAFE KIDS😅😂❤

[@thenaturaledge]

Great insight and true determination despite your set backs. Thanks for watching Robert.

[@benwilliams4023]

Jacky boy. Great lads!

[@matt-f1c]

Great video and a great explanation of the hill phase. Thanks for your insight

[@thenaturaledge]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nickfletton3976]

Great video to watch and some great insights, thanks for putting these video's up , subscribed👍

[@thenaturaledge]

Thanks for the sub and welcome aboard Nick 🤛

[@nickfletton3976]

@@thenaturaledge 👍

[@karinamaria3255]

What a spectacular location 😍! It was a pleasure to watch it. I couldn’t relate to the selection part but your anecdotes are fun to listen to. What I took from this video is that short-term sacrifices are required for the delayed gratification. 👍

[@thenaturaledge]

Glad you enjoyed it Karina, you’re exactly right, short term pain for long term gain.

[@NoFsGiven666]

I know a individual who said had to take road or wouldve failed as he messed up went wrong way, made up for lost time and did not get caught somehow but atleast he admitted it.

[@ghunterh9827]

Great video brother! 🐸🐸

[@thenaturaledge]

Thanks 👍

[@mictaylor9531]

Never a truer word spoken! The hills is just boring and wet or roasting depending on when you go 😂

[@GIZALARF]

Here's a bit of trivia for you. Did you know that Lewis Collins served with the 10th Battalion Parachute Regiment from 1979 to 1983. In 1983, he applied to join the Territorial SAS, and passed selection but was subsequently rejected because of his celebrity status. No wonder he played his character so well in Who Dares Wins which was made the year before.

[@SnakePliskin762]

The sas part has been questioned

[@GIZALARF]

@@SnakePliskin762 Has it? Well excuse me for not taking the time to read all the replies on here. My life is not that dull that I have to do that and get pulled up by a smart ass

[@SnakePliskin762]

@@GIZALARF no need to be a tit,you wrote it so i pointed out what badged members had said abour it. Maybe do a bit of research before typing.

[@JoeMaranophotography]

Never considered it. Special Forces seem to give off an air of "you need to prove yourself to be here" but I found the special forces never gave me a reason to want to ever go for it. Legit when 2 of our guys passed selection and came back to the battalion to try and recruit, they got met with a room full of hands down when they asked "who is interested in finding out more? Personally the losing a year of my life to try and prove myself just seemed like a waste of time but respect to all those that ever have and did.

[@thenaturaledge]

Yeah, I hear that. Horses for courses. We all have our own unique motivations for doing things and this was something that appealed to me. Thanks for watching Joe.

[@JoeMaranophotography]

@@thenaturaledge Absolutely, myself I love wildlife photography these days which many may feel is a pointless pursuit but no-one is shamed because they didn't do it if that makes sense? I feel like often times if you are in the military and don't try selection it's because "you were never good enough" etc which I don't think I've encountered much in other walks of life

[@lade_edal]

Agreed. Personably I found the hills a doddle. Very chilled 4 weeks with little typical military bs. I just could not understand how people could jack on the hills- ridiculous.

[@davidelms4165]

Doubt you did it then mate. Mind you weather is the big leveller.

[@thenaturaledge]

🤣

[@kevinjames8752]

Respect !

[@stevegallacher88]

We're in trouble. Well odd in the marines then

[@Tyroniusmaximus92]

Would you say the guys in SBSR are less capable because they have not done jungle? Or can they elect to do jungle too? Great video.

[@gooner_duke2756]

Everyone does the jungle phase, regardless of whether you intend to join 22 or SBS.

[@stucraig5035]

I enjoyed watching this, thanks for producing it. Is that path along the ridge what’s known as the knife’s edge? And what is the name of the car park at the very end we’re your stood next to the sign please?

[@olivergre]

Don’t suppose you could list details of your route? Waterfalls look epic

[@zerogearnoidea]

Nice one Simon, keep em' coming!

[@thenaturaledge]

Will do mate, cheers for watching

[@stuc3195]

I've dived in Portland, Horsea, Devonport, Poole & Portsmouth. In January. Fecking freezing. Bizarrely no gloves either looking back. Our CPO Diver didn't believe in them for some reason 😅 Anyway I can vouch for not seeing $hit and for it not always being a good time.

[@thenaturaledge]

Yeah, it ain’t all sunshine and rainbows!

[@jamiebell2727]

Need to tab a good pace and definitely which a lot of guys don’t mention is your map reading needs to be squared away

[@thenaturaledge]

🫱🏻‍🫲🏼

[@berserker6818]

Basic training to get in combat squadron actually alot harder and longer. selection is just the beginning of the fun 😁

[@thenaturaledge]

💪

[@jamesleon5985]

I’m 52 years old now , old school , parachute regiment , selection 1996 , trained by Johnny Mac .. I watch these videos from time to time with tongue in cheek .. but I stayed with this video tonight watching listening .. you’ve got the understanding of what it’s like to be in the regiment .. maybe shut this down and stay the grey man the old school hate these videos .. I hate these videos it’s nice to hear the up and coming voices of warriors but I hate these videos

[@thenaturaledge]

Thanks for watching all the same James

[@IAmIM2024]

​@@thenaturaledge#WaltCrowBag lol

[@Ma345]

Love the videos! What watch do u use?

[@aaronhughes7573]

Hey Simon, any tips for Royal Marines and also UKSF selection? Maybe any bits of fitness you think are key and overlooked or skills that are also overlooked. Thanks mate and great content

[@palpafilms]

Hey Aaron, james here, Simon’s video guy. I also served in the Royal Marines and our advice would be to get outdoors, go for hikes, run in the woods, forests and park. Get out when it’s dark, wet and cold. Being fit is the easy part, but building resilience in tougher conditions will stand you in good stead, not only in training, but in life.

[@davidprice1908]

Hi I wasn't in RM, but was Infantry Recce (Rifles). I was the fittest bloke in our platoon in depot, and had no issues with anything physical. The winter in Catterick KILLED me. I am a hot weather lover, and the wind, rain and snow just crucified me. I just remember it just being fucking shit. I'd recommend just getting out in weather, and being in the dark, and get used to wearing wet and muddy clothes. Now I'm a builder, and am always out in the rain still. Until you've been wet and fold for days and weeks, you won't know how absolutely fucking wank it is. Also, get used to having a bag with you, with things in you have to keep clean and dry. People rapidly go down the pan coz they just cannot be arsed to do basic admin. They're not lazy...it's just hard. So, my advice would be just wait til it rains and maybe something simple like putting a tent up in the garden, sleep in it, and take it down again. Good luck, and just keep going. Time passes and you get to look back over the things you did and didn't do. Peace out my dude

[@aaronhughes7573]

@@davidprice1908 Thank you for the advice mate, I actually get quite a kick from being wet and cold in nature especially on runs, feels natural haha. I actually ended up on para depot for two months but came off because I honestly really didnt like the attitude there, they were super fit guys and I have respect for them but it was very brainwashy and they hated anyone non para which is something I really disliked and I realised I was on training for their reg for the total wrong reasons.I have been looking at 21 as this pipeline is in line with what I truly want to do, do you have any suggestions for learning and improving nav?

[@jackenglish5686]

What a day!!

[@thenaturaledge]

Perfect conditions!

[@richarddepledge960]

1st phase is not hard!!!, bollocks mate. It's sorts the men from the boys. Gets rid of blokes that need to hold their mates hands. Gets rid of the wasters and UN prepared. What amazed me years ago and as DS. The type and number that could not hold up a wall on .TQ phase. Biggest most tattoo'd hardest looking crying!. Later on blokes that refused to jump if not already Para Trained. It takes all sorts. It's definately not easy at any stage and its not supposed to be. It's as hard as you make it for yourself. With a lot of luck on top. Injury wise. A lot more capable blokes from many Regiments could and should pass selection. Sad fact is most don't have balls to even try.

[@davidelms4165]

To be fair never had anyone on my selection couldn't hack TQ but a few years later on a Regt e&e one of our guys jacked. He was Sabre and just had enough of it. Never saw him again until last summer

[@stevejohnson6111]

Hi, am i right in thinking that ok you can be the fittest on selection and be in the right mindset but if you're not a team player meaning you won't fit into a team of people, would the selection process for that type of person still go ahead?

[@SnakePliskin762]

Happened to a lad i know,he was flying through selection but had a para on his team during jungle phase who's admin was in plod,he cracked and ended up filling him in. Sayonara,your selection is over. Cracking soldier though,flew through both brecons.

[@NorthernHiker]

Hi, just wanted to ask whether military training, specifically selection, has taken any kind of negative toll on your physical health ie joints, back etc. Are there any preventative recommendations for those considering and would running with weight come with such side effects? Many thanks for your content.

[@thenaturaledge]

There are downsides, of course running with weight is detrimental to your joints and back so it should be scaled up very very slowly over months and months if you feel you really need to.

[@georgep1907]

Is the other guy also ex UKSF?

[@vanmore5124]

These guys are great but the guys they are fighting for are their greatest enemy.

[@borisregain7512]

When Biden decided to waste every inch of our efforts in Afghan, I decided to take myself up to the lake district and live in the mountains for a week! 😎👍 Loved every minute of it! Until I returned to my car and put the radio on! "Back to reality"! 🙄

[@thenaturaledge]

Good to hear you had a wholesome trip away 👌🏼

[@TheKalbaPro]

hahaha, dicky bow day almost ruined it for me

[@thenaturaledge]

😮‍💨

[@rustycage670]

Someone said that the first to fall are those who all their lives have been the strongest, the best and those who have had to sacrifice the least to achieve their goals.

[@JB-qr2jq]

It’s not hard it’s honking.

[@thenaturaledge]

😬

[@matthewstanton8839]

Super grasses