Fury among officers over new Army regiment’s racist cap badge, which is identical to the one worn by apartheid terror group who killed civilians and fought insurgents of black color in 1960s and 1970s

  • Ranger Regiment has compared its new beret to that of the Selous Scouts
  • Apartheid squad was accused in the killing of civilians, and fought white-minority rule on Zimbabwe. 
  • Concerns have been raised by officers in the new-formed regiment about similarity of the badges that both depict birds of prey.
  • According to the Ministry of Defence, these comparisons are ‘completely incorrect’ 










Officers are furious at the Army for a cap badge that is identical to one worn by an apartheid terror group.

The Ranger Regiment has a beret that features a bird, similar to what the Selous Scouts wore during apartheid South Africa. 

As they tried to maintain white-minority control over Zimbabwe, the Selous Scouts were accused of atrocities and fighting black insurgent armies. 

The Telegraph was told by a Defence source that it was “outlandish” to wear a “cap-badge in this age and age, with any connections to a racist government.”

However, the Ministry of Defence refuted claims that the new badge was inspired from the Apartheid terror Squad’s. They claimed the Ranger Regiment’s badge was based on a peregrine Falcon, while the Selous Scouts badge showed an osprey.

The new Ranger Regiment badge

The Selous Scouts badge

An Army officer is furious that a Ranger Regiment’s new cap badge (left), is similar to the one worn by brutal apartheid terror Squad (right)

The Ranger Regiment has been formed as part of the Army's Future Soldier concept to turn infantry soldiers into elite fighters in the hope they can then help tackle missions abroad. Pictured is commander of the new Rangers battalion, Brigadier Gus Fair

In the Army’s Future Soldier initiative, Ranger Regiment is being formed. This will transform infantry soldiers from into elite fighters and then allow them to tackle foreign missions. The new Rangers battalion commander, Brigadier Gus Fair is shown.

In the Army’s Future Soldier initiative, Ranger Regiment is being formed in order to make infantry soldiers elite fighters. This will allow them to take on missions overseas.

A share of £120million will be invested in the new unit over the next four years as it works alongside Special Forces in high threat environments.

It will undertake training and accompany partner forces from foreign countries – roles previously performed by the Special Air Service and Special Boat Service.

No matter their rank, all those who serve in the regiment will have the new metal badge.

Numerous officers have expressed disapproval at the new badge’s design, citing similarities with the Selous Scouts badge.

However, the Queen has approved the badge so it’s unlikely that attempts to block it being put into circulation will succeed.

According to the defense source, an officer claimed he saw an email claiming that it was based on Selous Scouts.

It’s nearly identical to Rhodesian Selous Scouts. This is controversial because of their association with apartheid.

‘There’s obvious differences but it’s f****** close and clearly based on it.’

Prime Minister Boris Johnson poses in an armoured vehicle of the new Ranger Regiment during a visit to mark Armed Forces Week, at the Aldershot Garrison on June 24, 2021

Boris Johnson is seen in the armoured Ranger Regiment vehicle during Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s visit to the Aldershot Garrison, June 24, 2021.

For the purpose of attacking security forces elements, the Selous Scouts collected intelligence from insurgents.

Over time they also attacked insurgents. They were active in Rhodesia’s neighbouring countries in the 1960s, 1970s. The unit was known for being an apartheid terrorist squad.

These tactics led to many insurgents being killed, but they proved counterproductive because they alienated more of the black community from the Rhodesian government.

In April 1980, Rhodesia was transitioned into majority rule. Prime Minister Robert Mugabe also transitioned Zimbabwe to Zimbabwe. Many Selous Scouts members were recruited to the South Africa anti-apartheid forces.

Although both badges are based on birds of prey the Ministry of Defence claimed that any comparison between them was ‘completely inaccurate.

A spokesperson for the Army stated that “The Ranger Regiment cap badge was designed around peregrine falcon.”

“Any association or comparison to the Selous Scouts’ cap emblem of an osprey is totally false.

The Ranger Regiment is proud to present its latest cap-badge, inspired and spirit of the peregrine Falcon. Fast, agile, fiercely loyal and active in any environment including mountains and cities, it can be found all over the globe. 

What were the Selous Scouts like? 

The Selous Scouts, a now disbanded special forces regiment from the Rhodesian Army, fought black insurgents and killed civilians in the 1960s and 1970s as they attempted to keep white-minority rule over what became Zimbabwe.

For the purpose of attacking security forces, the special forces collected intelligence from insurgents.

Over time they also attacked insurgents and were active in neighboring Rhodesia. The unit was known for being an apartheid-style terror squad.

These tactics led to many insurgent deaths but proved counterproductive because they alienated more blacks from Rhodesian’s white-minority government and increased international opposition.

In April 1980, Rhodesia was transitioned into majority rule. Prime Minister Robert Mugabe also transitioned Zimbabwe to Zimbabwe. Many Selous Scouts members were recruited to the South Africa anti-apartheid forces.

Advertisement