What happens if you fail SAS selection?
By Deepak Shukla · Historical account and source-led commentary
I did not attempt SAS selection, so I cannot claim first-hand knowledge of its failure rate, reasons for candidates' outcomes, or reapplication rules. For people who are unsuccessful or withdraw, the right next step is to speak to their recruiting team about feedback, eligibility and whether another attempt is possible. My own story is about choosing not to proceed after preparatory Army training.
What failure can—and cannot—tell you
Military selection assesses more than endurance, but I do not have first-hand visibility of how individual candidates are evaluated. Claims that most people fail because of blisters, pace or poor kit are not evidence I can provide. Anyone looking for authoritative criteria should begin with the Army's official recruiting information and with feedback from their own chain of command.
Withdrawal and an unsuccessful selection attempt are different
A person might decide not to continue for many reasons. I made that decision before attempting selection, in June 2016, after preparatory Army training. It would be misleading to portray my decision as being selected out—or to claim insight into why somebody else withdrew. If you are considering changing your own plans, seek advice from the unit and think carefully about the impact on your wider life.
Can you reapply?
Reapplication rules and waiting periods can vary with the situation and with official policy. An old forum answer is not an approval to reapply. Ask the recruiting team whether another application is possible, what conditions apply and what feedback can be shared with you. If an attempt involved injury or medical concerns, obtain qualified medical advice before resuming demanding activity.
If you receive feedback, use the actual feedback
An honest personal review can be useful, but it should begin with what the recruiting staff actually told you—not with assumed causes or other candidates' stories. Record the information you are permitted to retain, address any relevant fitness or skills gaps with appropriately qualified support, and weigh the significant long-term service commitment before deciding on another attempt.
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.
What is current policy, and what is my own experience?
I applied to 21 SAS and completed preparatory British Army training in 2015–2016, but did not attempt SAS selection or serve as an SAS operator. My private Georgian training was a separate experience. Military requirements belong to the Army, not to this independent personal website.
Published sources
- British Army Jobs — SAS Reserve role, entry requirements, selection and locations
Primary source for the role and the five publicly described phases; checked 15 October 2026.
- British Army — UK Special Forces Reserve overview and recruiting contact
Official route to the latest unit advice; checked 15 October 2026.
- British Army — 21 and 23 Special Air Service Reserve
Official regiment information; use the Army for current recruitment, not my historical diary.
- Soldier magazine (October 2025) — SAS Reserve recruiting feature
Dated official magazine article. Some eligibility wording differs from the Army Jobs role page; confirm with recruiting.
The Army Jobs listing and the October 2025 Soldier article use different age wording. That is a reason to ask the recruiting unit, not to pick the most convenient figure. These references are checked as of the date above, not monitored automatically.
Read next
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