Three Otago civilians dared to walk in off the street and attempt to join the NZ Special Air Service (SAS), but none have yet won a place in the army’s elite combat unit.
The SAS was formerly the preserve of military personnel, but in 2011 the army opened entry to the selection course to civilians.
Figures supplied by the New Zealand Defence Force show three Otago residents have walked in off the street and attempted to pass the gruelling SAS selection course since 2011, but none gained entry. No Otago civilians attempted the course this year.
At least four civilian entrants are known to have walked in off the street and passed muster on the selection course, which usually runs twice a year. One of the most notorious tasks on the two-week course is "Exercise Von Tempsky", involving a 24-hour march through swamp or sand dunes, carrying a 35kg pack and alternately one or two 20-litre jerry cans, according to specialoperations.com.
Selection culminates in a 60km endurance march to be completed in under 20 hours.From there, successful candidates undertake a nine-month SAS training course.
Only about one candidate in 10 makes it from day one of selection to earn the regiment’s grey beret and blue belt. Prospective SAS applicants must be at least 20 years old, hold NCEA level 2, be able to gain a security clearance and pass an army fitness test.
The SAS has four main roles, according to the NZDF: surveillance and reconnaissance; combating terrorism; direct action; and "support and influence," meaning the organisation and training of the military and para-military forces of foreign countries.
