The background
After years of endurance challenges—including ultramarathons, Ironman events and Muay Thai—I wanted to test myself in a different environment. I applied to 21 SAS Reserve and documented the application, interviews and experience of military training in public diary entries.
My published accounts cover the early application stages and time at ATC Pirbright. They are personal recollections, not an official account of how today's recruitment process operates.
Alpha and Bravo: what I personally completed
I went through Army Reserve training and passed Alpha and Bravo. These are my first-hand, self-reported training achievements. They are not a claim that I passed SAS selection, served as an SAS operator or completed the full specialist selection process.
It is important not to confuse passing Reserve training stages with completing the selection required to join a special-forces regiment. Equally, the exact sequence and terminology I experienced should not be treated as the current joining route for someone applying today.
What experience changed about my preparation
My endurance background helped with consistency, confidence and accepting uncomfortable training days. But being able to run far is not the same as understanding military routines, working effectively with others, protecting your feet or managing equipment. I learned that fitness is only one part of preparation.
When I write about patience, pacing, kit or persistence, I am sharing the perspective of someone who actually applied and trained—not claiming knowledge of confidential assessments or giving a current military training prescription.
The sources you can check
These two first-person articles record my application journey and early training:
- Applying to 21 SAS — Part 1 (personal diary) ↗
- Applying to the SAS — Part 2: ATC Pirbright (personal diary) ↗
For authoritative present-day requirements, use the British Army's current 21/23 SAS Reserve page ↗.
Why this matters for Project Selection
The website should explain exactly what an individual can verify, show when its official source was last reviewed, and provide original tools that help people practise ordinary skills. My experience informs the questions we ask; it does not make this an official recruitment or specialist coaching organisation.
If you're planning to apply, start with your intended route, explore our free tools and verify every current instruction with your recruiting team.