Page 163 - JSOM Spring 2018

The Quiet Soldier

On Selection With 21 SAS

Ballinger, Adam. The Quiet Soldier: On Selection With 21 SAS. Orion Books, Ltd.: London, United Kingdom, 1992.
Paperback, 240 pages. ISBN 1-85797-158-2.
Review by by COL (Ret) Warner “Rocky” D. Farr, MD, MPH

his is a story of British Special Air Service (SAS) selection then Captain Charlie Beckwith and other early American Spe-
Tand assessment performed as a territorial force soldier (a cial Forces exchange officers derived much of American Spe-
reservist). Adam Ballinger had an Oxford degree, a steady girl- cial Forces selection and assessment from this course brought
friend, and a well-paying job in London. He liked to travel back across the Atlantic.
and mountain backpack. One day, while
traveling, he encountered a man who
gave him a phone number to call and told
him he could make it through selection. Ballinger, an educated man with a steady job, a serious girl-
friend, and no knowledge of what he is getting himself into,
At age 26, he faced a selection and as- becomes a man with a tenuous hold on his London job and a
sessment program just as rigorous as that fiancé he does not get to see much. To the end he still does not
of the 22 SAS, the active duty regiment, understand what has driven him to keep going, while others
but was required to maintain his own fit- either quit or the regimental selection team sent them pack-
ness while meeting every weekend. He ing. Some of his fellow candidates have military backgrounds,
was obliged to go through this and at some, including him, do not. Ultimately, all who partake in
the same time worry about (and ignore) the experience are changed by it and that is where Ballinger
his girlfriend/fiancé and his London day job. He sees that the shines. He describes in detail the changes in both himself and
numbers of those with him who make it through are exceed- in those around him brought on by the grueling process of
ingly few, and those who do have problems in their civilian selection.
lives from spending so much of their time maintaining their
conditioning and meeting every weekend for 48 or more hours This is an interesting read, penned by a thinking man who
per weekend. They are often required to spend a week un- did complete the selection program and was badged by the 21
dergoing training and then slip back into their lives without SAS. Some will consider this book an inspiring Soldier’s tale of
telling anyone what they are attempting. None tell their em- growth, while others may feel threatened, that a peace-loving
ployers what they are doing. and intelligently thinking man can endure far tougher training
than they ever would or could. A must read for anyone facing
For anyone who has gone through any kind of Special Opera- or running a Special Operations selection program.
tions selection and assessment, this makes an interesting read
as this program is the grandfather of them all. Soldiers like

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