I am frequently asked if the army has gone soft. Political correctness has taken a deep root throughout the whole of the so-called “upper tier†of British society. In any position of official capacity, what you can say and do are utterly controlled by a whole new set of rules. On a recent visit to a top university in the U.K., I was instructed that there were three toilets: … [Read more…] about Op-Ed: Has the British army gone soft?
Happy New Year from the U.K. It’s that time of year again when everyone gets a fresh start, makes a thousand promises and declares a new way of life. I am no different and want to welcome you 2018 the way I see it. I’m going to give you two takes: one of my own personal goals and ambitions and the other on how I see the world panning out. There is a lot going on and I want … [Read more…] about Happy New Year from BIG PHIL
In the light of recent terror attacks in the UK, the government have come up with a campaign, that has the backing of some big names but is it really what you should do. The chances of becoming involved in a terror attack have greatly increased in the last year. Homegrown terror suspects have risen and online grooming and radicalizing have become commonplace. The ranting and … [Read more…] about ‘Run Hide Tell’ can become trampled and terrified
(Read Part 1 here.) We already know the basics. The captured British troops serving with the UN peacekeeping force in Sierra Leone were from the Royal Irish Regiment. They were originally part of a detachment that had been deployed to help oversee the evacuation of foreign nationals from what had degenerated into the most vicious and bloody civil wars in Africa for a … [Read more…] about D Squadron, SAS: Operation Barras (Pt. 2)
In September 2000, a group of British soldiers serving with the UN peacekeeping force in war-torn Sierra Leone took a wrong turn and were captured by a rebel militia called the West Side Boys. It was a full-scale crisis that became the number-one priority for Prime Minister Tony Blair. His solution: Send in the SAS. The SAS, or “The Regiment†is comprised of four separate … [Read more…] about D Squadron, SAS: Operation Barras (Pt. 1)
I unwrapped my last piece of biscuit from the now tattered piece of tissue. I carefully made sure that the biscuit went in my mouth and the tissue was placed in my pocket where it would not fall out or be left behind. Ground sign would get you binned, everything that goes into the jungle must come out again. For real this could be the difference between life and death and not … [Read more…] about SAS Selection: It ain’t over ’til it’s over (part 11)
Read part nine here. We were in a hasty harbor area. Those left on the course were to receive a set of orders for the final assault on a jungle camp we had been watching for nearly three weeks. All the hours spent on recce and writing reports was all going to be tested. Everything we had learned from the beginning would culminate in one final push. We had been on hard … [Read more…] about British SAS Selection: The final assault (part 10)
Just when you thought things couldn’t get worse than they already are with Jihadists blowing up and attacking people all over the UK. A new trend of attack has broken out in London. Acid attacks in both liquid and power form have been reported all over the city. At the moment it seems to be mainly gang and drug related. That said, there have been a couple of robberies from … [Read more…] about Former British SAS operator: Acid attacks are on the rise in London and here is how to deal with them
Read Part 8 here. We had all but collapsed the harbor area which had been our home for the least three weeks. All that was left was my A frame, everything else was packed, ready for the final exercise or already stowed away in the patrol kit bag which was now at the heli pad waiting to be lifted out once we had vacated the place. The last night at stand, we all knew the next … [Read more…] about British SAS selection: Final exercise (Part 9)
(Read part 7 HERE) We were now beginning to feel like soldiers. The trees are a tough environment and people were falling by the wayside at an alarming rate. I always remember one DS (Directing Staff) saying “If you imagine trying to get through a bush covered in thorns whilst its pissing down with rain in the sweltering heat, and while going up the steepest slope you ever … [Read more…] about SAS Selection: Disappearing in the trees (Part 8)
I get asked all the time “what should I do if I’m caught up in a terror attack?” There are many ways to increase your chances of survival, and one thing we can all do is incorporate appropriate kit in our everyday carry. I now have a complete set of items which will help me in a variety of ways should it “go noisy” while I’m out and about. I don’t leave home without my day sack … [Read more…] about Former SAS Operator: What you should include in your everyday carry (EDC)
London’s problems continued this week as an unknown man drove a car through worshippers outside a Mosque in Finsbury Park. Ramadan is in full swing and far from being a peaceful time it has descended into chaos as people who have no understanding of anything religious conduct tit for tat style attacks. From one community, young men are being groomed online and targeted by … [Read more…] about Op-Ed: Extremism is extremism no matter who you claim to be
