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Can Irish join the SAS?

Author

Mia Ramsey

Published Mar 11, 2026

Can Irish join the SAS?

Hi there, Currently if you are British, Irish, or from a Commonwealth country you can apply to join the British Army. You don't need UK citizenship or residency. You would be subject to the selection process just like any other candidate.

Likewise, can an Irish citizen join the British army?

As an Irish Citizen, you can apply to join the regular Army. If you're hoping to join the Army Reserve, you need to be already living in the UK.

Also Know, who can join the SAS? 21 & 23 SAS processes applications from male and female applicants, with no previous military service. Applicants must be no older than 42 years 6 months when applying to join the Army Reserves (AR).

Similarly, it is asked, can a foreigner join the SAS?

Outside of the SAS Reserves, the SAS doesn't recruit civilians. To be eligible to join the SAS, you must be an official member of one of the uniformed services of the British Armed Forces — either the Naval Service (comprised of the Royal Navy and Royal Marine Commandos), the British Army, or the Royal Air Force.

Did the IRA kill any SAS?

Operation Flavius was a military operation in which three members of a Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) cell were shot dead by undercover members of the British Special Air Service (SAS) in Gibraltar on 6 March 1988.

Can an American join the SAS?

Yes. The British military has an open door policy to American citizens that meet the criteria. Once you've served 3 years in a regiment or corps you can apply for SAS/SBS selection. I have a mate from the USA ( Virginia) that joined the RM with me and ended up UKSF.

What medical conditions stop you from joining the British Army?

Bone or joint problems:

Loss of a limb. Clubfoot (including past surgery). Chronic joint diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or gout. Hypermobility syndrome.

Is it hard to join the British army?

Joining the British Army is no easy feat. Whether you're a British National, Dual-National, or Commonwealth citizen, roles within the British Army are incredibly competitive. Therefore, you need to be at the top of your game if you're to succeed.

Can you have tattoos in the Irish Army?

Tattoos which appear above the collar of shirt will prohibit entry to the Defence Forces.

How much do you get paid in the Irish Army?

129 Defence Forces Ireland employees have shared their salaries on Glassdoor.

Defence Forces Ireland Salaries.

Job TitleSalary
Sergeant salaries - 19 salaries reported€44,957/yr
Soldier salaries - 17 salaries reported€29,855/yr
Soilder salaries - 11 salaries reported€38,001/yr
Army Officer salaries - 8 salaries reported€56,639/yr

Why did the British army go to Ireland?

The British Army was initially deployed, at the request of the unionist government of Northern Ireland, in response to the August 1969 riots. Its role was to support the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) and to assert the authority of the British government in Northern Ireland.

Does the Irish Army have special forces?

The Army Ranger Wing (ARW) (Irish: Sciathán Fiannóglaigh an Airm, "SFA") is the special operations force of the Irish Defence Forces, the military of Ireland. The ARW trains with special forces units around the world, particularly in Europe.

Can an Irish person join the Royal Marines?

Some roles have stricter nationality and residency requirements than others for security reasons, but in general you can join the Royal Marines if you are: A national of the United Kingdom or Ireland. A Commonwealth citizen applying from inside their country must be aged 18 or over.

Is the SAS better than Navy SEALs?

The SEAL teams are ranked as Tier 2 units by USSOCOM with DEVGRU/ ST6 being the Tier 1 Special Mission Unit. The SAS is considered to be a Tier 1 unit so roughly equivalent in training and capability to DEVGRU. SAS is better trained then US Navy SEAL, not by a very big margin, but better none the less.

Can the SAS tell their family?

The S.A.S. or Special Air Service, is a Special Operations Organisation of the British Army. The SAS is a secret organisation. Its members often do not tell anyone except close family that they are in it.

How hard is it to get into the SAS?

That's probably why the program has an astonishing 90% fail rate. Many drop out due to stress or injury — those who remain must meet and exceed the high standards set by the selection cadre. It all begins with physical testing designed to ensure that each candidate meets the minimum requirements to join the SAS.

How long is SAS training?

Selection takes place in the Brecon Beacons and Elan Valley in Wales, and in the jungle of Belize, taking around six months to complete. Selection is held twice a year regardless of conditions.

Can you join the SAS from the Royal Marines?

Yes, they can! Though this is typically not the case. The SAS and SBS both belong to the United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF). The selection for UKSF is the exact same.

Are you allowed tattoos in the SAS?

Tattoos and Piercings – SAS Eligibility Criteria

Piercings are not allowed, unless the area will heal overtime. Tattoos cannot be excessive, offensive, or obscene and must be hidden under dress uniforms.

How much do special forces get paid UK?

SAS soldiers' pay ranges from less than £25,000 a year to around £80,000, depending on their skills and rank. This compares with a basic £13,000 for privates in other regiments.

Can females join the SAS?

The move will see the historically all-male regiment let females into the elite Special Forces reserves. It comes after the Government changed rules allowing women to serve in “close ground combat”, opening all jobs across the Armed Forces to both sexes.

What weapons do the SAS use?

Special Air Service (SAS) Weapons
  • C8 carbine. The Regiment's primary assault rifle / carbine.
  • UCIW. Ultra Compact Individual Weapon - a very short version of the M4.
  • M16 & variants. 5.56mm rifle / carbine.
  • HK G3. 7.62mm battle rifle used by UKSF.
  • HK33 / 53. 5.56mm version of the G3.
  • HK G36.
  • HK MP5.
  • MAC-10 SMG.

Has anyone died during SAS training?

As many as 20 soldiers have died during SAS selection in the Brecon Beacons, defence chiefs have admitted. According to figures, almost one soldier has died every two years during SAS tests in the Welsh mountain range since 1984.

How do I become a SAS officer?

  1. Get the A' level qualifications, that you need to enter officer training at Sandhurst, or preferably a degree.
  2. Pass the Officer Selection Board.
  3. Attend and pass The Parachute Regiment POIC (Potential Officet Insight Course)
  4. Complete the 44 week officer training course at Sandhurst in the top 2.5%

How do you train like a SAS soldier?

The weekly-breakdown of the SAS workout:
  1. Day 1: full body resistance workout.
  2. Day 2: rest.
  3. Day 3: running/trail running session.
  4. Day 4: running HIIT workout.
  5. Day 5: rest.
  6. Day 6: cycling/swimming.
  7. Day 7: rest.

What do 23 SAS do?

The traditional role of 21 and 23 SAS is to carry out long range reconnaissance patrols for the regular UK Army (although these days the focus is on augmenting UKSF operations), freeing the regular SAS from recon tasks and onto direct actions.

What is the most elite special forces in the world?

Best Special Forces in the World 2020
  1. MARCOS, India. Wikipedia/representative image.
  2. Special Services Group (SSG), Pakistan.
  3. National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN), France.
  4. Special Forces, USA.
  5. Sayeret Matkal, Israel.
  6. Joint Force Task 2 (JTF2), Canada.
  7. British Special Air Service (SAS)
  8. Navy Seals, USA.

How much do SBS soldiers get paid?

Income: Salaries are as in the Royal Marines, basic pay ranging from £12,070 to £35,420 below officer level. SBS members are likely to earn the higher end, with top-ups for particular skills and various allowances.

What is the SAS fitness test?

To gain selection into the illustrious training program, applicants must pass the following test: 45 push-ups, no rest. 45 sit-ups, no rest. 1.5 mile run in under 9:30 minutes.

How many SAS soldiers did the IRA kill?

An eight-man unit of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) launched an attack on the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) base in the village.
Loughgall ambush
Casualties and losses
8 killed1 soldier injured 2 constables injured
1 civilian killed and 1 wounded by SAS
Location within Northern Ireland

Why did Germany bomb Dublin?

There were suggestions that the bombing was a revenge attack for the role of the Dublin and Dundalk fire brigades in going to Belfast to help fight the fires there following the German bombing of the city a month earlier. Lord Haw Haw had denounced, on German radio, the role of the southern fire brigades in Belfast.

How many IRA were killed by SAS?

Twenty-six IRA men based in the county were shot dead by the SAS during the Troubles. BBC Spotlight examines the role of agents in the latest part of its Secret History series.

Who side was Ireland on in ww2?

World War II. Ireland remained neutral during World War II. The Fianna Fáil government's position was flagged years in advance by Taoiseach Éamon de Valera and had broad support.

How many British soldiers were killed in Northern Ireland?

1,441 soldiers

Did the IRA ever bomb Scotland?

The Glasgow pub bombings were two bomb attacks in Glasgow, Scotland, carried out by the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) on 17 February 1979. Experts believe a Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) veto on bombing operations in Scotland prevented the situation from escalating.

How many Irish were killed by the British?

One modern estimate estimated that at least 200,000 were killed out of a population of allegedly 2 million.

Is the IRA still active in Ireland?

Small pockets of the Real IRA that did not merge with the New IRA continue to have a presence in Republic of Ireland, particularly in Cork and to a lesser extent in Dublin. The Continuity IRA, and the group often referred to as Óglaigh na hÉireann (ONH), remain independent as well.

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