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Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR)

Reconnaissance May Take You Anywhere

The Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR)

The Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR), raised in 2004, is one of the most recent additions to the United Kingdom Special Forces and can trace its history back to the early 1970’s with the formation of the Mobile Reconnaissance Force (MRF) which, after being compromised by the Irish Republican Army (IRA), subsequently became 14 Intelligence Company (14 INT), or ‘The Det’. 14 Intelligence Company was subsumed into the SRR bringing with it the skills learned during plain clothes surveillance operations whilst operating against Irish Republican and Loyalist Terrorism organisations during the troubles in Northern Ireland. The role of the Special Reconnaissance Regiment, as its name implies, is to conduct reconnaissance operations where and when required, thus relieving other UKSF units of surveillance duties and allowing them to concentrate on offensive operations. However, the nature of their work shrouds them in a veil of secrecy with less information being forthcoming about what they actually do than is available regarding the SAS! It is thought The Regiment is half the size of The SAS with volunteers, both male and female, joining The SRR from all areas of the British Armed Forces.

Little is known about the selection process although it is thought to be an exacting course with many candidates failing to achieve the required standard and either removing themselves from selection or being Returned to Unit (RTU) as not suitable SRR material. It must be assumed that high standards of fitness are needed during the SRR Selection process; not preparing adequately beforehand is obviously ‘planning to fail’! On completion of selection, successful candidates are trained in a variety of subjects such as Advanced Driving, Surveillance and Photography. Close Quarter Battle (CQB) training, Combat Survival and Resistance to Interrogation are also taught and practised. It is necessary that candidates have an aptitude to learn languages in order that they can ‘be at home’ in their area of operations. Current operations in the Middle East mean that Arabic and similar languages are in great demand and are taught to members of The SRR. All personnel are required to maintain high levels of fitness as well as being capable of using a variety of rifles and hand guns to such a high degree that stripping, assembling and the carrying out of stoppage drills can be carried out blindfold. They must also be capable of attaining high levels of marksmanship with a variety of weapons.

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The following units come under the control of UKSF. See the following sections for more details on each unit and what they specialise in:

The Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment

The Special Boat Service (SBS)

The Special Reconnaissance Regiment

The Special Forces Support Group

18 (UKSF) Signal Regiment (18 (UKSF) SIG REGT)

United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) Aviation