According to reports, soldiers paid to kill terrorists in Britain will also be assessed for their “emotional intelligence”.
The Army’s 1,200-strong, four-battalion Special Operations Brigade will be deployed to Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East early next year to accompany local troops into action against violent extremist organisations and hostile state threats.
Its commander, Brigadier Gus Fair, has now revealed that applicants will be tested on their ability to demonstrate resilience, calmness and self-awareness while under pressure, and ‘EQ not just IQ’ – as they will have to strike bonds with local soldiers.
EQ, which stands for emotional quotient, also known as emotional intelligence, is the ability to understand, use and manage one’s emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathise with others, overcome challenges and defuse conflict.
One battalion of the 1,200-strong Ranger Regiment, will be focusing on the emerging conflicts in Eastern Europe. Pictured are members of the Rangers special operations battalion
Rangers will be equipped with drones – including the virtually undetectable six-inch Black Hornet – and the Multiple Launch Rocket System. Pictured: Puma drone
According to Brigadier Gus Fair, applicants will now be assessed on their capacity to maintain calm, resilience and self-awareness under pressure and EQ, not just IQ.
Fury among officers over the new Army regiment’s racist cap badge, which is identical to that worn by apartheid terror group who killed civilians and fought insurgents of black color in the 1960s and 1970s
Officers are furious at the Army for claiming that a new regiment’s caps badge looks identical to one worn by an apartheid terror group.
The Ranger Regiment was recently formed and the beret has been likened to the Selous Scouts’ badge.
Selous Scouts were fighting black insurgents during 1960s-70s.
The Ranger Regiment new badge
The Selous Scouts badge
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.”
According to the Ministry of Defence, the badge is not based on the one worn by apartheid terrorist squad. The badge of the Ranger Regiment was shaped around an osprey, while the Selous Scouts’ was based on a peregrine falcon.
Soldiers are expected to be able to speak foreign languages, if not already proficient in them.
Additionally, battalions are expected to be more ‘rank-heavy’ with more senior and older soldiers. Rangers will be wearing new uniforms with new badges and berets and carrying state-of the-art weapons.
They will also be required to fight alongside the indigenous forces, not just as an aid.
Expect the Rangers to start their first mission in 2022. They will operate under the supervision of Parliament.
The Telegraph reports that applicants must pass a rigorous two-week assessment, which will also include “protracted periods under duress” and then they will be required to demonstrate a high standard of soldier skills in two months.
On December 1, the Special Operations Brigade’s four building blocks will officially be renamed as the First to Fourth Battalions of The Ranger Regiment.
Brig Fair said that the UK Ranger units will ensure they ‘don’t undermine sovereign ownership of the mission’ as he sought to distance the brigade from NATO’s recent experience in Afghanistan.
He spoke to the newspaper The Rangers would ensure that the country hosting the Rangers was the focal point’very strongly’
According to Brigadier Fair, the Mail was told by Fair that they are capable of working with their partners and not only enabling or assisting them. We’ll be fighting at the very edge of the frontline.
“The Rangers” will travel to unstable countries where there are threats from extremist groups.
“The emphasis here is to partner and bring in experts and military resources that might not otherwise be possible for the partner country.
“The Rangers motto will be “By All Means”, which fits well because we are highly flexible and varied.
On the Rangers’ gunmetal grey beret will be a cap badge featuring a peregrine Falcon, which is a bird known for its speed and ability to travel long distances.
Yesterday, it was revealed that some were concerned that the cap-badge looked similar to one worn by an apartheid terror group. According to reports, officers complained about the look of the Selous Scouts’ cap badges. These were black militia armies fighting insurgents in Rhodesia.
Selous Scouts were fighting black insurgents during 1960s-70s.
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 any racism regime.”
According to the Ministry of Defence, the badge is not based on the one worn by apartheid terrorist squad. The badge of the Ranger Regiment was shaped around an osprey, while the Selous Scouts’ was a Peregrine Falcon.
A defense source said that a second officer had claimed to have seen an email in which he stated it was based upon the Selous Scouts.
It is almost the same as Rhodesian Selous Scouts. Their involvement in apartheid rule makes it controversial.
‘There’s obvious differences but it’s f****** close and clearly based on it.’
Although both badges are based on birds of prey the Ministry of Defence claimed that any comparison between them was ‘completely inaccurate.
According to an Army spokesperson, the Ranger Regiment cap badge was created around the peregrine Falcon. It is incorrect to make any comparisons or associations with the Selous Scouts’ osprey cap badge.
“The Ranger Regiment prides itself on its brand new cap badge, which draws inspiration from the peregrine falcon. It is fast and agile, and loyal to its partner. They operate in every environment, including cities and deserts.
The Rangers’ first missions are expected to begin in early 2022. They will operate under the supervision of Parliament. Pictured: Explosive Ordnance disposal (EOD) robot
Ranger will have access to drones, including the invisible six-inch Black Hornet, and the Multiple Launch Rocket System that can fire 12 rockets over 93 miles.
A gunner will be assigned to three-person Land Rover teams. Support can also come from Apache helicopter gunships.
Rangers are not only linguists. They will also recruit intelligence experts and explosive ordnance removal specialists.
Potential Rangers must pass an extensive selection course to prove their intelligence and intellectual ability.
However, the Army’s Infantry Branch may be affected by the addition of the Ranger Regiment. Some regiments have been ‘hollowed out” to make way for volunteers.
It is expected that the Army will reduce the Army’s size today, with the majority of cuts going to the infantry. The Army’s cuts will not be as drastic as originally indicated.
The Ranger Regiment: An in-depth look at Britain’s Special Operations Brigade
Puma drone operator: Four hour duration, day/night camera for locating hostile forces
Puma drone operator: four hour duration, night camera to find hostile forces
Operator microdrone: A short-term drone used to monitor friendly forces at their home base.
Operator microdrone: A short-term drone used to monitor friendly forces at their home base.
Dog trainer with his dog. Trained to detect explosives
Dog trainer with his dog. Trained to detect explosives
Medic: Specialized in combat medicine
Medic: Trained for battlefield medicine
Explosive ordnance disposal operator: Remotely operated vehicle for searching bomb-prone areas
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operator: Use remote control vehicle to locate bombs in areas
Vallon operator: Uses a metal detector to find hidden explosives
Vallon operator: Uses a metal detector to find hidden explosives
Transport of troops
Transport of troops