Special Reconnaissance Regiment
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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Special Reconnaissance Regiment
Sky:
A new Special Forces regiment will be created with specific responsibility to fight terrorism. The Special Reconnaissance Regiment will provide support for overseas operations - particularly operations to counter international terrorism, said Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon. He said: "The creation of the Special Reconnaissance Regiment demonstrates our commitment to shaping our Armed Forces to meet the ongoing challenge of tackling international terrorism. The new regiment will help to meet the growing need for special reconnaissance capability."
It has drawn its recruits from all three services, with some posts open to women. The SRR will be deployed in a variety of military operations, supporting both existing Special Forces units and conventional forces. It is distinct from the tri-service "ranger" unit, which is to be formed from the 1st Battalion The Parachute Regiment to support Special Forces operations.
The need for a special reconnaissance capability was first identified in the Strategic Defence Review "new chapter" in July 2002. The Ministry of Defence said "special reconnaissance" covered "a wide range of specialist skills and activities related to covert surveillance".
It will come under the command of Director Special Forces and be a part of the UK Special Forces group based at Hereford.
A new Special Forces regiment will be created with specific responsibility to fight terrorism. The Special Reconnaissance Regiment will provide support for overseas operations - particularly operations to counter international terrorism, said Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon. He said: "The creation of the Special Reconnaissance Regiment demonstrates our commitment to shaping our Armed Forces to meet the ongoing challenge of tackling international terrorism. The new regiment will help to meet the growing need for special reconnaissance capability."
It has drawn its recruits from all three services, with some posts open to women. The SRR will be deployed in a variety of military operations, supporting both existing Special Forces units and conventional forces. It is distinct from the tri-service "ranger" unit, which is to be formed from the 1st Battalion The Parachute Regiment to support Special Forces operations.
The need for a special reconnaissance capability was first identified in the Strategic Defence Review "new chapter" in July 2002. The Ministry of Defence said "special reconnaissance" covered "a wide range of specialist skills and activities related to covert surveillance".
It will come under the command of Director Special Forces and be a part of the UK Special Forces group based at Hereford.
I wonder if they'll adopt the old green/yellow colours and lightning flash style badging of the good old Recce Corps....
I suspect they'll be far too clandestine for anything like that and I doubt BuffHoon's purse strings will allow for any sort of regimental identification.....
I suspect they'll be far too clandestine for anything like that and I doubt BuffHoon's purse strings will allow for any sort of regimental identification.....
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They could be the "mighty morphin' power rangers"!
So, if recce is their game, what about our much-vaunted NEC that was supposed to do all that therefore allowing much cutbacks?
Final rant: it has been proven throughout history that an overreliance on "special" forces at the expense of well-trained regular infantry is not a good thing! Witness the plethora of organisations that sprung up in World War Two! Regardless of their heroism, how effective were they overall and how many were left at the war's end?
So, if recce is their game, what about our much-vaunted NEC that was supposed to do all that therefore allowing much cutbacks?
Final rant: it has been proven throughout history that an overreliance on "special" forces at the expense of well-trained regular infantry is not a good thing! Witness the plethora of organisations that sprung up in World War Two! Regardless of their heroism, how effective were they overall and how many were left at the war's end?
Jess the Dog....
Does the word "Afghanistan" mean anything to you beyond a defeat to the British? I would suggest strongly you read up on your recent military history and pay particular attention to the stunning success of "special forces" troops in the overthrow of the Taliban. After you do your research, come back to the forum and discuss that campaign in detail.....and point out how conventional forces could have done as much with as few boots on the ground.
I would suggest Jess old dog, there is a place for both special operations units and conventional units in today's military. Each has a role to play and they complement each other if used properly.
Maybe you need to leave the Guard's Mess and see what really goes on in the world. Are we seeing some green eyed envy here perhaps?
Does the word "Afghanistan" mean anything to you beyond a defeat to the British? I would suggest strongly you read up on your recent military history and pay particular attention to the stunning success of "special forces" troops in the overthrow of the Taliban. After you do your research, come back to the forum and discuss that campaign in detail.....and point out how conventional forces could have done as much with as few boots on the ground.
I would suggest Jess old dog, there is a place for both special operations units and conventional units in today's military. Each has a role to play and they complement each other if used properly.
Maybe you need to leave the Guard's Mess and see what really goes on in the world. Are we seeing some green eyed envy here perhaps?
Me thinks the important thing here is "they will come under D/SF". That way, what used to be merely "specialist" troops will be afforded the same privileges and urgency as SF when it comes to prioritising where the money goes. And it gives a D something substantial to Direct along with authority over people he relies upon.
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JessTheDog, prosecuting the Global War on Terror needs small numbers of highly trained troops that can work with host nation forces that lack the technology or skills to covertly take action within their own country. Special operations forces in the last 5 years have done as much training and command and control as they have direct action, depending on which books you read.
Well done HMG for assigning cash to where it's needed.
Well done HMG for assigning cash to where it's needed.
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SASless
Worth bearing in mind that 2 Sqns of SAS had to do an advance to contact during one phase of their time in Afghanistan, a total misuse of their skills, and one good reason for the formation of the ranger/1Para bttn.
Jess - when you consider that WW2 was the first time SF were used in any recognisable sense, and the scale of the war as a whole, it's more surprising there were not more SF, in fact. The fact that all SF units were disbanded at the end is not that surprising in hindsight, but lessons had to be re-learned by Hereford in GW1 that had clear parallels with the earliest days of the SAS and LRDG in the Western Desert in 42/43.
Also remember that a good 50% of ORs only do one tour in Hereford and then return to their units - taking skills back to (mostly) line infantry regts.
Worth bearing in mind that 2 Sqns of SAS had to do an advance to contact during one phase of their time in Afghanistan, a total misuse of their skills, and one good reason for the formation of the ranger/1Para bttn.
Jess - when you consider that WW2 was the first time SF were used in any recognisable sense, and the scale of the war as a whole, it's more surprising there were not more SF, in fact. The fact that all SF units were disbanded at the end is not that surprising in hindsight, but lessons had to be re-learned by Hereford in GW1 that had clear parallels with the earliest days of the SAS and LRDG in the Western Desert in 42/43.
Also remember that a good 50% of ORs only do one tour in Hereford and then return to their units - taking skills back to (mostly) line infantry regts.
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SASless
I said "at the expense of"! No one disputes the outstanding capability of correctly employed special forces, but their expansion should not take place at the same time that the infantry are being cut back. Infantry battalions have a notional roulement of 24 months; some of them have been rotated out to Iraq on a 6 month basis.
It is also looking as if the British Army will be redeploying to Afghanistan as part of the NATO contingent to finish the job that was left half-done. This will draw heavily on the infantry capability that is being cut back. After the ground has been taken and cleared, someone has to occupy it - as the Iraq and Afghan experiences demonstrated.
Investment in the infantry also pays dividends by increasing the pool of the appropriate calibre available for special operations.
The Parachute Regiment - with a heroic history including the Falklands and Arnhem - are a classic example of retention of an inappropriate capability. They are outstanding light infantrymen but are as likely to carry out a parachute drop in anger as I am - and that does not mean I am likely to carry out a parachute drop in anger!
When I think of Afghanistan I think of carpets and hounds, then the second Afghan war and then the infamous first Afghan war....
I said "at the expense of"! No one disputes the outstanding capability of correctly employed special forces, but their expansion should not take place at the same time that the infantry are being cut back. Infantry battalions have a notional roulement of 24 months; some of them have been rotated out to Iraq on a 6 month basis.
It is also looking as if the British Army will be redeploying to Afghanistan as part of the NATO contingent to finish the job that was left half-done. This will draw heavily on the infantry capability that is being cut back. After the ground has been taken and cleared, someone has to occupy it - as the Iraq and Afghan experiences demonstrated.
Investment in the infantry also pays dividends by increasing the pool of the appropriate calibre available for special operations.
The Parachute Regiment - with a heroic history including the Falklands and Arnhem - are a classic example of retention of an inappropriate capability. They are outstanding light infantrymen but are as likely to carry out a parachute drop in anger as I am - and that does not mean I am likely to carry out a parachute drop in anger!
When I think of Afghanistan I think of carpets and hounds, then the second Afghan war and then the infamous first Afghan war....
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The Parachute Regiment - with a heroic history including the Falklands and Arnhem - are a classic example of retention of an inappropriate capability. They are outstanding light infantrymen but are as likely to carry out a parachute drop in anger as I am - and that does not mean I am likely to carry out a parachute drop in anger!
removing the para role from the Paras. Remember that they could still be used in that role outside conventional conflict; rapid deployment to protect UK civilians following a coup, for example.
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Bout time that something was done but as said earlier hasn't a general election been announced today!?!.
Where is the manpower going to come from since evey coupe of years the manderins in Whitehall think that they should amalgamate some fine regiments. No offence to the maroon machine but some of the regts that have gone had histories going back to the 17th century and not just WW2.
Good idea but shooting from the hip as these clandistine organisations seem to have more press than the PBI and not forgetting the armoured corps! Recce Regts who seem to have lived in Bosnia, Kosovo, etc since they started get no backing yet are the eyes and ears of every battle group!.
Fund the rest of the services before trying to win an election on letting anyone become SF.
Where is the manpower going to come from since evey coupe of years the manderins in Whitehall think that they should amalgamate some fine regiments. No offence to the maroon machine but some of the regts that have gone had histories going back to the 17th century and not just WW2.
Good idea but shooting from the hip as these clandistine organisations seem to have more press than the PBI and not forgetting the armoured corps! Recce Regts who seem to have lived in Bosnia, Kosovo, etc since they started get no backing yet are the eyes and ears of every battle group!.
Fund the rest of the services before trying to win an election on letting anyone become SF.
Jess,
If I misread your post, my apologies...I endorse your second post completely. We maintain an entire airborne division....and with some exceptions they have done permissive drops when mass jumps are done. The other view of this...is we keep a Brigade sized Airborne unit on alert all the time so that we do have a very quick reaction force should that need arise. Granted they are light infantry but what an impressive rabble they can be when turned loose.
I am a strong supporter of a large conventional army....it takes boots on the ground to secure large areas....as we see everyday in Iraq and Afghanistan. That is a mission the SF forces are not designed to do.
We too misuse our SOG guys....for example...the Panama Airport attack where our SEALs got their butt kicked due to their being mis-used. During WWII, our Ranger untis got eaten up in the Italian campaign when they were used as standard infantry. Left to do what they did best....they were very effective.
I agree that funding must be sufficient for both conventional and non-conventional forces....otherwise the system breaks down....it takes both types of units in a large campaign.
If I misread your post, my apologies...I endorse your second post completely. We maintain an entire airborne division....and with some exceptions they have done permissive drops when mass jumps are done. The other view of this...is we keep a Brigade sized Airborne unit on alert all the time so that we do have a very quick reaction force should that need arise. Granted they are light infantry but what an impressive rabble they can be when turned loose.
I am a strong supporter of a large conventional army....it takes boots on the ground to secure large areas....as we see everyday in Iraq and Afghanistan. That is a mission the SF forces are not designed to do.
We too misuse our SOG guys....for example...the Panama Airport attack where our SEALs got their butt kicked due to their being mis-used. During WWII, our Ranger untis got eaten up in the Italian campaign when they were used as standard infantry. Left to do what they did best....they were very effective.
I agree that funding must be sufficient for both conventional and non-conventional forces....otherwise the system breaks down....it takes both types of units in a large campaign.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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The SRR cap badge consists of a Corinthian helmet placed in front of a Special Forces sword with a scroll underneath depicting the word 'reconnaissance'. This reflects the SAS and SBS cap badges in design, ensuring conformity within the UK Special Forces Group. The Corinthian style helmet, favoured by the ancient Greeks, was used from the early 7th to the 4th centuries BC. The helmet is facing forwards and suggests the viewer is being watched, while the wearer behind the mask is anonymous.
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Plus ca Change...
The emphasis on recce seems to have missed the point of this unit, which is to provide heavier support and muscle to SAS/SBS team who should be concentrating on their small unit role.
We have been down this route before. To my mind it would be better for esprit de corps to reform one of the previous units holding a similar role, of which there are plenty of candidates such as: Army Commandos or the Raider Support Regiment - which operated in support of the SAS and US OSS in the Adriatic and Yugoslavia in the closing stages of the Second World War.
This is a role which any good infantry Bn is capable of performing - back in the '80s line infantry companies were sent to the US to undertake air assault training and performed pretty well.
To my mind the keys to success for this unit will be:
- Continuity in role
- A good mix of heavy infantry weapons: HMGs, Med Mortars, ATGW and MANPADS, together with significant number of trained sniper pairs.
- Integral NGS and FAC parties ( and the kit )
- Most important (and probably least likely to happen) organic logistic support to make the unit and sub units capable of self supporting sustained operations.
This is a real opportunity to deliver enhanced capability, but my fear is the result will be another lashed together light infantry Bn. It will probably depend on the the personality of the first CO and his senior ranks.
EG
We have been down this route before. To my mind it would be better for esprit de corps to reform one of the previous units holding a similar role, of which there are plenty of candidates such as: Army Commandos or the Raider Support Regiment - which operated in support of the SAS and US OSS in the Adriatic and Yugoslavia in the closing stages of the Second World War.
This is a role which any good infantry Bn is capable of performing - back in the '80s line infantry companies were sent to the US to undertake air assault training and performed pretty well.
To my mind the keys to success for this unit will be:
- Continuity in role
- A good mix of heavy infantry weapons: HMGs, Med Mortars, ATGW and MANPADS, together with significant number of trained sniper pairs.
- Integral NGS and FAC parties ( and the kit )
- Most important (and probably least likely to happen) organic logistic support to make the unit and sub units capable of self supporting sustained operations.
This is a real opportunity to deliver enhanced capability, but my fear is the result will be another lashed together light infantry Bn. It will probably depend on the the personality of the first CO and his senior ranks.
EG
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Some SF operations in the recent past have been inappropriate to the task and for example, the commitment of the SAS to attack certain low value targets was a problem in GW1. Why use sorely stretched SF resource to down Comms masts when the paras or other like minded vandals are more than capable. The average para can break an Anvil after 5 minutes toying with it !
I suppose part of the answer is the back handed compliment that Joe Public likes to hear the job is in a mystic, but safe pair of hands; no bad kudos for the politicos in charge either in uniform or grey suits.
The spotlight on the activities and roles of SF for political brownie points is also unwelcome.
Ex Grunt is up there when it comes to the tools for the jobs too !
I suppose part of the answer is the back handed compliment that Joe Public likes to hear the job is in a mystic, but safe pair of hands; no bad kudos for the politicos in charge either in uniform or grey suits.
The spotlight on the activities and roles of SF for political brownie points is also unwelcome.
Ex Grunt is up there when it comes to the tools for the jobs too !
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One other thought - if there is a capability gap and a regiment needs to be formed, why not reconstitute an appropriate historic capbadge? The RAF take this approach and it maintains tradition.
A cynic would see resurrecting a historic capbadge as a way of sweetening a bitter pill.
The infantry battalion also traditionally has a recce platoon which presumably employed soldiers with the qualities that could be developed further by SF selection and training...so it is shooting oneself in the foot to reduce this pool further (oops, on soapbox again
)
A cynic would see resurrecting a historic capbadge as a way of sweetening a bitter pill.
The infantry battalion also traditionally has a recce platoon which presumably employed soldiers with the qualities that could be developed further by SF selection and training...so it is shooting oneself in the foot to reduce this pool further (oops, on soapbox again
)
I may have misread this article, but the first article to mention this unit mentioned that after NI where a certain 'Int' unit were used to great effect their role was to be increased and the unit renamed. Whereas I am sure they will assist other units I read into the article that they were people who would be operating in high risk environments undercover.
