MOSCOW, January 4-RIA Novosti, Andrey Kotz. Overcome yourself, overcome fear, go beyond the limits of physical abilities - the rules of selection in the special forces of the strongest armies in the world are extremely strict. Not everyone is able to pass such "entrance exams". However, those who succeed can rightfully consider themselves super-soldiers. RIA Novosti tells what tests are subjected to candidates for elite military units of different countries.
The mountain 65 kilometers
The British SAS (Special Air Service — "Special Air Service") is considered to be one of the best special forces units in the world. Founded in 1941, it has accumulated a huge combat experience. British special Forces fought in World War II, in Korea, performed covert operations in Borneo, Oman, Yemen, Northern Ireland, and operated in Iraq and Libya. The Special Air Service has not yet suffered a single major defeat or failure. In many ways, this is due to the toughest selection of candidates for the squad. At best, only a fifth of applicants pass the" entrance exam".
SAS fighters from Task Force Black in Iraq
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Newcomers are recruited to the SAS twice a year-in winter and in summer, 200 people each. The main requirement — the candidate must serve in the Armed Forces of Great Britain, special preference is given to paratroopers and Marines. They pass the initial physical training tests, after which they begin the hardest five-week stage: daily cross-country marches, and the distance is constantly increasing. In conclusion — a 65-kilometer ascent in full gear (the weight of the equipment is about 25 kilograms) to the top of Pen-i-Fan Mountain and descent from it in just 20 hours. Who did not have time-is eliminated.
The next stage is a survival course in the jungle of Belize, Brunei or Malaysia. There, paratroopers learn to navigate the terrain, equip caches and temporary bases, and correctly disguise themselves. Then the candidates are divided into squads and try to hide in the jungle from the search teams that are supposed to capture them. Equipment for this issue is the minimum.
Finally, a test of psychological stability. The subjects are interrogated for 36 hours, trying to extract important information. As a result, as a rule, no more than 30 people out of 200 are selected.
Swim with your hands tied
Soldiers of the US Naval Special Forces SEAL-the famous "navy seals" - participated in all American combat operations without exception since 1962. This is one of the most professional and well-equipped special forces in the world. It accepts only US citizens aged 18 to 28 years with excellent health: both physical and psychological. The selection process lasts 19 weeks. Special emphasis is placed on training at sea.
Navy SEAL Special Forces soldiers (USA)
Image source: © Photo : Public Domain
The first seven weeks are devoted to general physical training and special techniques for survival in the water. In fact, candidates are taught to swim anew — for many hours and in a strong storm, in an icy ocean and with a load, with their hands and feet tied. The goal is to get rid of the fear of the water element in future special forces.
Then-nine weeks of intensive combat training. Moreover, the load is constantly growing. So, in the first week, candidates need to swim 300 meters in a certain time. Then — the same thing, but in full combat gear. Then — the same time and distance, but it is necessary to tow a load weighing 40-50 kilograms. On land, the subjects are waiting for grueling hours-long marches.
And then there is the famous "hell week". Candidates are subjected to a powerful physical and psychological impact. They can only sleep four hours a day, either standing up or up to their necks in the swamp.
On a stormy day, they are led into the ocean up to the waist for 20 minutes, driven ashore for five minutes and back into the ocean. And so several times. At this stage, up to half of the candidates are eliminated. And those who pass it, waiting for airborne training: skydiving, adjusting the actions of aviation, piloting.
With live ammunition
Department " A " of the Special Purpose Center of the FSB of Russia is one of the most famous anti — terror units in the world. Fighters of the legendary "Alpha", created in 1974, freed hundreds of hostages and killed thousands of terrorists. We fought in Afghanistan and Chechnya. According to open sources, snipers of the unit are regularly sent to Syria to improve their skills. Many of Alpha's operations are still classified as Secret.
Fighters of the Department "A" of the Central Security Service of the FSB of Russia
Image source: CC BY 3.0 / SpetsnazAlpha /
The selection and training of fighters is also not particularly advertised. It is only known that the candidate must run 100 meters in 12.7 seconds, and three kilometers in 11 minutes, do push-ups from the floor 90 times, pull up on the crossbar 25 times, bend and unbend the trunk, lying on his back, 200 times in two minutes, press the bar with the weight of his own body ten times. In addition, it is necessary to repeat the complex strength exercise eight times without breaks for rest.
The future operative must pass the standards for hand-to-hand combat. In sparring according to free rules with throws and painful techniques, you need to stand three fights for three minutes against different instructors. Not everyone is able to withstand such a test of combat. Then-a special check with a psychologist who studies the personality of the subject, interviews him under a polygraph, talks with relatives and friends.
After enlisting in the special forces, the soldiers are trained to drive armored vehicles, undergo mountaineering and diving training. They are taught to handle all types of weapons — both Russian and foreign. One of the most dangerous training sessions in Alpha involves firing a pistol loaded with live ammunition directly into the chest plate of an operative's bulletproof vest. It is believed that this will teach the fighter not to be afraid of getting a bullet in battle.
Melee — special attention
One of the most exotic special forces units is considered to be the Brazilian BOPE (Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais — "Special Police Operations Battalion"), formed in 1978. The main task of the squad is spot operations in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro and the destruction of the enemy in street battles. The soldiers of BOPE — the scourge of local drug dealers and gangsters. Drug cartels in South America are often better armed than regular armies, so Brazilian specialists do not sit idle.
BOPE Officer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Image source: © AP Photo / Silvia Izquierdo
Selection in BOPE is very tough. There are always 400 people in the squad, the extra ones will not be taken here. Tests — at the limit of physical and psychological capabilities. Then-preparatory courses.
For six weeks, cadets learn patrol and street fighting techniques. Fifteen weeks are devoted to the subtleties of combat operations in various conditions, including in the jungle. And only after that, the fighters consolidate their skills and abilities at special training grounds, as well as in real special operations.
Given that they fight regularly, each operative develops a special psychological state — he is capable of anything. In addition, Brazilian special forces are necessarily trained in hand-to-hand and knife combat, since it is not always convenient to use firearms in urban conditions.