How to Join 21 SAS: The Process, Step by Step

By Deepak Shukla · Historical account and source-led commentary · Updated 7 November 2026

Start with the British Army's current SAS Reserve role listing and recruiting team, not a forum checklist. People without previous military service can enquire, but there is Army training and experience to complete before formal selection. When I applied in autumn 2014, the initial interview, paperwork and Pirbright assessment taught me that the application itself was a journey — and that the real commitment went much further than completing a form.

Step 1 — contact the unit

The official Army Jobs listing is the place to begin. It gives the broad regions and the current recruiting contact. When I started, I had far more enthusiasm than knowledge and spent evenings figuring out which route even applied to me. Ask the recruiting team the basic questions before booking travel or building a plan around somebody else's application.

Step 2 — paperwork, medical, references

The Army will explain the documents, service history, medical and other eligibility information it needs, and which basic training route applies. An application can involve administrative steps before any demanding physical training begins. Do not rely on my old paperwork or a forum checklist as an up-to-date or individual assessment.

Step 3 — briefing and assessment

The Army publicly describes a briefing course as part of its selection route. But for civilians it also sets out necessary Army basic and initial trade training and experience before selection. My published ATC Pirbright diary comes from the initial Army-training part of my journey; it should not be mistaken for an account of passing UKSF Reserve selection.

Step 4 — prepare safely and with the right information

Find out which current assessments apply to you and ask official staff about what they expect. General aerobic conditioning, strength and sensible recovery may be valuable, but a fixed online schedule cannot account for health, experience or injury risk. Qualified coaches can help adapt training, while the Army alone can confirm selection standards.

How long should you give yourself?

There is no dependable single timeline for every applicant. The preparation and initial Army-training requirements depend on your background, current fitness, application dates and the unit's intake. Ask for a realistic sequence and then plan around work, recovery and the wider obligations of service rather than promising to be ready after a fixed number of weeks.

Searches for 'how to join' hide two different questions

An initial expression of interest is not the same as admission to selection. The Army accepts enquiries from people with no previous military service, but explains that the required basic Army training and experience come before an attempt at the SAS Reserve selection pathway. Ask the recruiting team which step applies to your history, not just which online form to fill out.

My route should not become your checklist

I began in autumn 2014, did the early Army process, completed Alpha and Bravo and joined about 10–15 Wednesday preparation sessions, then a later assessed unit-linked weekend. I stopped in June 2016 before the formal selection course. That sequence explains a personal decision, not the correct timetable for a 2026 applicant.

A note on accuracy

Entry criteria, standards and selection dates are set by the Army and change over time. Take anything current from the Army's own UK Special Forces Reserve pages; take everything below as one applicant's experience.

How to join 21 SAS