Details of the physical tests would-be-recruits must undertake before applying for the Special Air Service (SAS), the Special Boat Service (SBS) and other special forces units have been revealed for the first time.

Famed for their anonymity and shadowy operations across the globe, British Special Forces operators are revered as some of the toughest in the world and now, the MOD’s own official Army publication has provided new insight, to help de-mystify the selection process so that more will sign up.

It has emerged the tests include marching nearly eight miles in just two hours carrying a 15kg (33lbs) bergen or rucksack, jumping from a 10-metre high board into water, followed by a three-metre entry carrying “webbing and weapon”

It also involves swimming 200 metres in less than 10 minutes, conducting a “brick retrieval” underwater and other tests including “physical and cognitive screening”.

Soldier Magazine, according to its website, is the official magazine of the British Army and is the “Army’s primary means of internal communication outside the chain of command”.

Its latest edition has published a feature on the details of the eight ‘Briefing Course’ dates taking place in 2025 and a message from the UKSF chief instructor.  

Potential SAS and SBS recruits are told they must achieve a pace of 4km per hour across all terrains and their navigational skills will also be put to the test before being allowed on the hill alone.

Readers were also informed that current serving members of the UKSF community would be conducting a “series of roadshows around the country” this year.

The news comes as the SAS, whose official insignia has the famous ‘Who Dares Wins’ motto, is being featured on the BBC1 series SAS Rogue Heroes, which reveals the exploits of the regiment in the Second World War.

But it also comes amid claims during the Afghanistan Inquiry, that members of special forces had a “golden pass to get away with murder”.