They have cut ot alot but the military sign an oath to the queen well it was when I did my stint be king now. And if the government get out of hand the army will take over till king elects new government.
@@marcwindle7 Errr ... no not quite. The UK military would never 'take over' anything constitutional becasue there is no need. If there is a tyrannical or non functioning Government the King can just dissolve Parliament and call an election. The King does not elect a new Government at all. The Queen did just that in Australia in 1975 - Sacked the PM, appointed another to get legislation cleared and called an election.
Illustration. Year: 1982. Place: The Falklands. A platoon of Paras is getting heavily shelled. Suddenly there is a cry as the shells fall in abundance: “Me leg,….’ave lost me bloody leg!!” To which there was a distant response from a fellow soldier: “Don’t worry mate, I’ve found it over here.” You cannot beat soldiers like that.
Gallows humour is a huge part of the Brits. There's so many war stories where they would make witty jokes in unbelievably dire situations. That, coupled with the confidence in your ability both independently and as a team is such a formidable force.
Gotta piss with the dick you got. No point stressing over a shitshow, just roll with it. I got nerve damage to my right eye from a head injury on my first deployment, on my last deployment I received another head injury. I would've been worried if the lads didn't come to check if it fixed my eye.
@@theog700 I’ve seen lots of American’s praising the British special forces and they’re usually ex military who have worked with them. There’s a mutual respect from both sides and I for one am happy to have the U.S. as probably our closest allie.
I love how there is BIG respect for the British SF. Especially from a former Navy Seal, Seals being also one of the most respected SF units in the world .☮️🇬🇧🇺🇸
Funniest guys I’ve ever met are special forces guys, funniest being a serving SAS guy that had us all in stitches about his recent Afghan deployment. Dry, dark humour that if spoken on the streets would probably get him sectioned because it was it’s a survival trait and around fellow squaddies it’s a moral boost.
I remember being hunched down behind a wall and the muckers telling our Sgt it better not be him that followed through when he farted, could hear the snap above our heads. Us all laughing in what had been a worrying situation
One British guy stood on an IED in Afghanistan, Sadly it blew his foot off, The medic rushed to assist him , he was screaming, I have lost My foot, The medic said off the cuff, No mate its over there.
The SBS are true pioneers of maritime ops. For example they conceptualised the fast rope technique for boarding ships from helicopters. Traditional methods of being attached to a rope was deemed to be too slow leaving the team and the helicopter vulnerable. What they needed was a technique that got them on the deck quickly. One of their members tried it out using a pair of his wife’s gardening gloves and sliding down the rope in their gymnasium, and thus the fast rope concept was born.
Fast roping was used by the SAS, Commandos, and NZ SAS in Malaya for jungle insertions from helicopters in the mid-1950's. SBS didn't invent it. Commandos (probably) did.
Cheers mate, it’s nice when the guys get some recognition. Even us old guys (RM & C Squadron, SBS 1978-2008) appreciate when other professional agencies appreciate what we’ve been up yo.
Though I have to ask, how was the SAS and SBS rivalry settled during your time sir? I read in Duncan Falconers book that the SBS was underfunded during his time and he also said in his book that the SBS did not see action during the Malayan Emergency.
@@MrDwightKSchrute We all appreciate it and the increasing public support, but you’ll notice that Brits tend to be reserved when it relates to a career that you volunteered for. It’s nice to be acknowledged by the public, but we’re still none too keen on our political masters being involved as they’re more dangerous than the enemy, even to the extent of them releasing the plan’s/timetable of an operation that had to be changed, irrespective of it being Northern Ireland, the Falklands, or both of the Gulf Wars, the Balkans, Iraq and Ghanners and most points on the compass! It reached a point that the Boss said he’d “have a chat” with any politician’s/media muppets should any of our squadron being maimed/killed following the release of information by politicians that were hoping to make a name fore themselves and they didn’t think about what they were doing (sociopath.narcissist behaviour) but they only thought of themselves. Never give politicians any information before the operation is under way - they’re so unworthy that we don’t trust them with the day of the week, yet if it helps to get their names in the news then that’s all they care about and the troops can get fecked. In a full on war they would rightly be in gaol, or better yet - shot/hung as traitors but not anymore. Sorry for the rant but it’s the anniversary of a particular incident and between the alcohol and opiates I’m not sure if I’m maintaining the degree of OpSec that’s expected! Thanks for putting up with my rant but I suspect you understand it better than most?! Take care and all the best,
SAS- Surprisingly Average Soldier SBS- Significantly Better Soldier That one cracks me up... absolutely no idea if it reflects reality at all; but it's funny.
I used to be an expedition leader for young kids training to be cadets in the UK. We used to train on Dartmoor, replicating 35 & 45 milers with 25-30 hour cut offs. We'd meet Marines and members of the rifles on hikes and they'd have nothing but respect for the kids on the hikes. The British army trains on some of the most miserable terrain you've ever seen. It's wet, cold, exposed and bleak. It's hard to navigate, fog rolls in so hard to see, rivers swell so you can't pass, wind rips through so you get exposed. But you absolutely love it. No weather in the world will ever be worse than Dartmoor in February, yet there's no place you'd rather meet your enemy if you're in the British military.
Loved going on Dartmoor, one of a few places where in 24 hours you will get all seasons. Snow, rain, thunder and lightning, fog, sun etc. It really is one of the best places and very unique!
Something that can sometimes baffle non Brits is the relationship between the English, Scottish, Welsh and the Norn Irish. It's complicated kinda sums it up. We're kind of like 4 siblings. We'll take the mick out of each other, beat the crap out of each other but the moment you mess with one of us, you've got the other 3 to deal with! It's that constant banter though, it's part of our culture and it's almost to the point the more we slag you off and take the mick, the more we like you. We're an odd wee bunch 😂
Had been in the British army, not any of the special forces. The greatest thing our military does is have us train in very diverse weather conditions from extremely hot areas such as Cyprus to the Scottish Highlands, Wales and Europe in winter months. The SBS and SAS are another level all together
I served 3 different times in the British Army. From Rear Eceholon MF (REMFE), lol. To Tier 2 63 SAS Sigs Sqn T.A. Those Tier 1 guys are just another level. We did elements of The selection as we had our own internal selection. Mindset is 1 million percent banter upbeat never quit attitude. I served 3 times as mentioned. 1st time: June to Oct 88 (5 months) in Royal Artillery as a 16 yr old Junior Leader. I ruptured my Achilles tendon so either backsquad or rejoin at 17.5yrs. So reinlisted in 89 as Adult (Regulars) entrant. 2nd time: 03/01/90 to 14/03/93 (3yrs) in Royal Corps of Transport. As a Mariner (Army Maritime trade title). As a Deckhand/Nav, on Army Landing Craft and Mexeflote rafts etc. Attached to 3rd Commando Brigade RM. 3rd time: 02 to 04 in A Troop 63 SAS Royal Signals Sqn T.A. Unfortunately I broke my back doing a charity parachute jump on a weekend off from SAS Signals pre Selection in March 03. I went on the June 03 summer selection. Unaware I had broken it. Miracle I made it as far as I did. All part of my 29yr ongoing physical and mental chronic and acute health battles. I'm still battling a 30yr ongoing multiple degenerative physical and mental chronic and acute health battles. Which back then It was hard to prove.As my gp was crap.22 yr battle to get the prove. So a few months after my 5th Spinal Op in Nov 2014. So in 2015, I wrote a letter to 63 Sqn OC. I mentioned my journey (my then battle, as still on going), with what my health battles were etc. So I apologised for wasting their time. I got an amazing reply from the Adjutant from the 18 Sigs SF Regt. That was formed in 2005 along, with other newly formed Tier 2 units. SFSG, SRR, 63 SAS Sigs Sqn, other units etc. He said considering how far I got before my body gave out. I would've passeed without the injury. Plus mentioned my mindset was like a tier 1. As he said my attitude was so positive considering what I was facing (At time of writing this in July 2023. I have so much more issues than I had then. However I still live with the same attitude that keeps me going.I have a multiple degenerative, physical and mental, chronic and acute, unbearable health battles, to face without respite. My current pain score is 21 out of 10 pain!! My Physical Chronic Issues Are: My Severe Degenerative - Spinal Stenosis Disease, Sciatica - that feels like I'm dipped in it from the waist down, to the souls of both feet! Also a formerly Acute-now Chronic boderline Thoirid issue. My Mental Chronic Issues Are: My OCD, PTSD, Aspergers, Anxiety, Depression, Stress. Possibly ADHD. My Acute Health Issues Are: Then there are My Acute issues. That started 2 yrs before Covid around Nov 2018. Resulting into - All delayed Acute consultations, and surgeries, which are still at present - mostly untreated. My left hip is out of position, and needs replacing. . My right knee is also in need of replacing. I had two abcesses finally removed in 2023..But they affected 7 Teeth, that caused sporadic pain in ear, head and neck. They finally removed 6 teeth, in mid 2022. The 7th broke Dec 2022, which is still broken in my mouth, along with an 8th broken tooth. Plus possible Gallstones with blood in urine and painful. All the above pain with no respite. I Still wont ever let it beat me though. . So my short time with UKSF. I met remarkable guys,, that were awesome mentors. My mottos which are proudly tattooed next to my Army tattoos are: "Forward Forever - Backwards Never. Progress Not Perfection. Adapt & Overcome. Never Give Up Or In". "Be comfortable with being uncomfortable". I won't ever let it best me though.x
I know it’s a long time since this vid was uploaded, I’ve only just came across is but as a former remf myself I have the urge to just say: cheers dits 😂
@@TonyConnolibro even us Remfs served with pride. The teeth arm units get all the glory and rightly so. But without our backup and support they can't stay in the fight long without our resupply drops etc. The machine of war is full of multiple cogs and links. The weakest to the strongest, are all vital. Without the cogs being oiled then the machine breaks down. Remfs are that oil, are that food, are that ammo, are the tool that keeps the machine running. The teeth arms blaze a path into battle. We help them to maintain that momentum. Etc. Of course we get banter from them teeth arm units, but we give as good as they get lol. Total respect to the US Military.
@@bushwhackeddos.2703 true enough. Don't forget though, our politicians are prodding the Russian bear on behalf of American corporations and their shareholders. If I were an immigrant I'd look elsewhere for safety, this place is heading for a disaster.
Most of the SBS come from the Royal marines and one of their core values is cheerfulness in the face of adversity. This is an important character trait because it lifts up the team when times get tough but at this point I don't thing there's much difference between the US/UK special forces in terms of skill. We've just been doing it longer so it's easier to look back at our culture and ops the old boys went on and think if they managed to do x in y conditions then there's no reason we can't pull through now
If that doesn’t settle it for you, nothing will. Coming from the Royal Navy, seeing and knowing the RM, then having some rare interactions with the SBS, you know you are in very safe, very capable hands.
SAS/SBS side by side with the U.S elite special forces is an unstoppable force, I'm sure our SAS would have the same views on recognising areas of expertise 🇬🇧🇺🇲✌
Brits are by far are best allies and one of the few that I'd be willing to use American lives to defend. There's really only Canada and Australia, maybe Poland on that list. But the UK is definitely #1. Her Majesty having the national anthem played after 9/11 still tugs my heartstrings. And Tony Blair, despite his many many faults, will always have a special place in my heart for having our backs completely. 🇺🇸 ❤️🤍💙 🇬🇧
I remember as a Brit going to school after 911. We had minute silences every day for about 2 weeks. Not a single person broke a single silence. It was somber for awhile. New York might as well have been London. Cousins is the best way to describe the relationship between the US and UK. If somebody attacks your cousin what will you do? We knew we were at war. Being young I thought it could be coming to my street. At the very least we knew we’d be sending a lot of our guys. But it was without question. I remember getting off school at 3:30pm and my step dad picked me up and said “America is on fire!” I was massively annoyed that he couldn’t explain to me what that means, being my sisters birthday we went to an electronics shop to pick up her sound system she wanted, guess what was on all the TVs on the walls. 😮 I could easily forgive Americans for not realising how much that day shook the world. You’d have to see it to believe it. Never seen anything like it.
@@concise707 I know... I've learned much more about him since those carefree days of yore. But he made Britain feel like a solid ally of the US and for that I'll always appreciate him.
@@gussampson5029 I genuinely appreciate your underlying feelings and thank you warmly for your kind words, but save your sympathies for more deserving causes than that self-serving charlatan and blackguard, Blair. He is, justifiably, now despised by a large segment of our nation for leading us into a war on the premise of lies, deceit and deception that has irrevocably tarnished the UK's reputation internationally. But I reciprocate the 'good vibes' generated in this thread. 👍🤝
I served in RM Poole as 148bty. Great memories parachuting into the sea with SBS and navy seals when we visited Camp Pendleton. Great banter on both sides of the pond. Oh and one thing I learnt in America on my second jump in mid air I was told to use the toggles on the USMC parachutes, this helped prevent me crashing when landing on solid ground haha! Unlike the UK parachutes, you have to climb the rig lines. Great memories.
Well I mean, we did invent modern warfare tactics and had the largest empire in history and at one point owned 24% of the planet so you know, you’d kinda expect us to be pretty good at it. 🇬🇧
nothing better than an honest British tommy.Gets shit all the time but when the chips are down will smile, pick his gear up and head back in to the fray. some of my best years when i was serving. the mates the banter !
This is what makes elite military units so effective at what they do. They never ever believe in the BS that is created about them. They can honestly be critical about themselves and see who can do things better. Then copy and improve on what they've learned.
Don’t forgot the majority from Poole have a background from the Royal Marines, ranging from 3-10+ service before deciding to attempt UKSF selection. They genuinely are a cut above.
One important cultural difference between UK and US is that in the UK we have a very grim and vulgar sense of humour, the protagonist is is the butt of every joke and can never do anything right. In the US the general culture is far more upbeat, idealist and the humour is obvious where the protagonist is a hot shot always saying the perfect line at the perfect moment. I've heard the ptsd rate between British and American soldiers being notably different because of this difference in culture and outlook. Basic take away, British people are quietly miserable and joke about how awful everything is. Lol
As a vet I can agree with this once I took A SSGT how lost a leg for his physio and a lad with no legs in a wheel chair comes up and calls him paper cut 😂😂
Britain has been playing this game a long time. Remember, they are, historically, the largest empire that ever walked the earth. Read a history book. They didn't get there by complaining.
The SBS are unreal. They’re mostly Royal Marines anyways with their training, so you know you’re getting a high quality soldier. Some of them are mountain leaders, and people don’t realise what that entails, but they’re very professional. I’d put them at number one just for their training plus the swimmer canoeist aspect too.
@@Brasil942 For what? You need to provide some context to your comment if you expect an answer, but hopefully it’s not another expectation of saying “thank you” because you were late for bothe World Wars? Perhaps you should check your history and your own country’s history of reneging on deals which were supposed to be a two way street of research and development, but when it came to it suddenly the American government was as trustworthy as Russia! Both countries were given for free, the R&D for jet engines as well as some of the latest jet engines along with the manufacturing techniques and the metallurgy to cope with the temperatures. The agreement was that further research,testing etc was to be shared and whilst the Russians ignored the idea, it was something of a shock when American officials were just as bad. Same for RADAR (as described by Arthur C. Clarke as he was involved in improving the accuracy, capabilities and reliability in a smaller package so it could be used in the new jet powered aircraft. Would you like us to thank you for going back on your agreement (again? which seems to be something of an consistent theme going on? In a similar manner to the German Enigma machines with Hollywood Pictures trying to push revisionist history about American submariners/sub hunters forcing the sub to surface and grab the latest Enigma machine with all the code books! All nice escapism but too many people are so ignorant of history that they accept these fairytales as true and as we all know, repeat a lie/revise history often enough it becomes accepted as fact. But sadly it’s just one of those things that are regularly done - litigation against anyone who might have come up with a better solution but can’t patent it in America because just like that overly pompous Thomas Edison gets undeserved credit for things he never did but he was an expert at playing the system to his own credit, then had the hubris to claim an invention was his, his intellectual property rights but without any evidence of his R&D. Must be nice to be friends with people in the patent office that would mysteriously predate the date of the true inventor.
@@Lord_Ronin_The_Compassionate i men’s you britânicos think that you do whatever you want it’s not cool and the faceted you stole out gold from country is dick move from and Portugal
@@dukebonde which country’s military would you be referring to? A lot of the American military training was based around the Prussian “follow orders without question” model but not entirely as there are some differences depending upon the branch. The UK has had its own version but its more akin to “follow orders but use your own judgement if the local conditions couldn’t be known by the brass” which is fine for for the army and air force, but not for navy or the RM Commandos. The latter are very different in approach and are expected to use their initiative so long as they achieve the objectives. I found that most of the European military are somewhere between the Prussian model or if you prefer, the American model and the British Army model. It probably stems from the hundreds of years we’ve been fighting each other so it’s not too surprising that each would learn the best bit’s from the other. [veteran RM Commando Officer 1978-2006, incl several years C Squadron, SBS]
@AsgardianTimeLordJedi funnily enough I was working in the centre off Edinburgh today (the international festival is on) and commented that the Australian tourists are more than welcome to come any time. Nothing but helpful, polite and a smile
I love the British talent for understate. They can be facing a screaming hoard, outnumbered 100 to 1, and still turn to their mate and say, "Well, this is a sticky wicket."
I think a large part of the attitude is based in the sure and certain knowledge that somebody is going to attempt to fuck up your day either reasons of necessity or just for the malicious joy of seeing you suffer. Once you accept that fact you can laugh at anything
Most Special Boat Service selected are former Royal Marine Commandos, there mantra is as follows “The Commando Values - Excellence, Integrity, Self Discipline and Humility. The Commando Spirit - Courage, Determination, Unselfishness and Cheerfulness in the face of adversity! In other words they keep there spirits up and find a way no matter what shit there in!
The SBS are the equivalent of DEVGRU. They’re held to the same standard as the SAS, as their selection process is identical. The training after selection differs slightly, but about 90% of what they do is the same as the SAS. Compare the SBS to DEVGRU, no any other SEAL team. Navy SEALS are recruited from the civilian population. UKSF are selected from the already serving military service personnel. There’s a big difference.
It's good to hear him say this. I've lived long enough not to care who says, " We're so tough. We're so bad!" You very well may be? But the situation is coming where you will be humbled.
The British army are taught in basic training to laugh at hardship; it’s only cold, it’s only wet, it’s only mud , the barracks heating has broken down, et cetera. It stays with you all your life. I’m 68, did my 22 years, It helps in all situations.
I'm from the UK and i am so proud of our army in all departments i am also seriously impressed with the us forces because without each other we would be in a very bad place... peace and love
In WW1 a german soldiers bottom half had been ran over by a tank i believe, he was apparantly bloated with his guts hanging out, an English soldier walked over and put a smoking pipe in his mouth and told him to get up. We use humor as a coping mechanism
Having seen what SEALS put up with in their selection I've gotta say, they've got a great attitude far beyond us mere mortals. All kidding aside, when you hear these guys speak about each other there's a lot of respect.
@@lynnm6413 I still like to say God save the queen because I am a British Man 🤣 I just grew up with that as my national anthem and thats how it will stay for me 🤣😫😫😫🤣🤣🤣
Mud. SAS trainees live in mud for 6 weeks in Wales, non stop rain and non stop running with full gear, the distance to run increasing every day, after that you start appreciating just not moving
I love it when an American admits it. As, the average American isn’t aware of the SAS, so they just assume because America is the most powerful country on Earth that their soldiers are better. I get it, but it’s great hearing it from an American Special Forces Warrior
@@Thee_Penguin yeah nah mate, all this woke bullshit, pandering to minority groups. Why can’t they just live their lives and leave the rest of us alone. And before you go off, I have a niece and nephew that are both gay. And like others, they don’t agree with this crap.
I remember many a time during my service where humour was the answer to everything. There were ocassions on operational tours when we laughed so much, I literally though that if we had a contact at that very moment we would have been useless because we laughed so much. We had a saying that probably still exists today. "If you can't take a joke, you shouldn't have joined!"
Us brits have two modes 1) moaning constantly this is reserved for within families or dead inside hospitality industry work 2) constant jokes and banter for everybody else
Too true about the attitude part, those guys had an indomitable spirit and really, in that kind of work, attitude is everything because theres gonna be alot of suck.
As I’ve been told by my friend who is a seal, SBS are all the same, guys calm as a cucumber ready to put you and your pals in a body bag. Seals are a mix, stone cold tier 1 operators but mixed with guys who shouldn’t be there and are more “recon” oriented
Seen this documentary on the Royal Marines fighting in Afghan once. To improve morale they would dress in ridiculous outfits while they were not on active duty. So a few guys came out in dresses n huge sun hats. Next thing a number of taliban started attacking the base so without even thinking twice, grabbed their rifles and took positions to lay down fire. Imagine the taliban firing back thinking who the hell are we up against here? Hilarious.
Regular SEALs shouldn't even be considered comparable, though. The DEVGRU guys, yes, but your average SEAL came straight from civvy street and has never faced anything like selection, the heavy load carrying, or the years of experience before becoming SF.