The only reason I mentioned that I’d like to experience specialist roles early in service is because it was explained to me, by a serving Parachute Regiment WO2, that officers cannot attempt SF selection after the rank of Captain. He told me that typically the Para officers who pass SF selection tend to be on rare occasions Lieutenants, who are well established in that rank and close to promoting, but the vast majority are junior Captains. Understandably he said to not even entertain it as a 2nd Lt. With regards to applying as a Lieutenant he basically said that not only does applying too early as an officer sharply reduce the likelihood of passing but it’s also very unlikely your chain of command would support your selection application anyway. On passing SF selection as an officer you will be allocated a role of Troop commander and that role is nine times out or ten filled by a Captain with infantry experience he explained.
This is all accurate and good advice. Occasionally there are waivers to attempt Selection post-Captain but very rarely.
I understand infantry officers typically reach the rank of Captain within 4 years or have I picked this up wrong?
My point being, as badly as I came across, if SF is my goal it seems I really only have four years from passing out of Sandhurst to applying for selection as a junior Captain. I understand also that it isn’t a prerequisite that I have experience of, for example, a recce platoon but I do think role such as that would only deepen experience and prepare me for the rigours of SF service.
(All the following only applies to Selection as an officer)
It depends on your graduation status and degree, but the average promotion to Captain is 3 years after commissioning. Once you work in phase 3 (role) training after Sandhurst, this is one posting, or if short posting timelines (fairly random, depends where you fall in the cycle), one and a half.
Officers remain a Captain for about 4-6 years. You are arbitrarily taking the start point as a junior Captain as when you should try selection, and this isn't particularly wise. I'd suggest the best route is: first post (2Lt: platoon commander, 24 months); second half-posting (Lt: ADC, deployment or possibly training role, all usually 6-12 months); third post (Jr Captain: support company command like recce, 24 months); attempt Selection. That is quite a normal route, and gives you the chance to try again if you fail first time (also quite normal).
However, bear in mind that many (possibly most) subsequently very successful officers did Selection while or immediately after they were a senior Captain (so after being an Adjutant or Ops officer). Ultimately your role as a junior-ish officer in SF is unlikely to involve much door kicking, but will involve a lot of autonomy and responsibility. They select those who can handle that, fitness and capability is just the entry fee. If you pass as a Lt or very junior Captain, you will be to an extent at a disadvantage as you are competing against more experienced and (possibly) mature individuals. This is particularly true today when there is less operational experience around to fast-track your development.
A complimentary note to that is: during your initial jobs, take every opportunity to do a deployed role, whether on a short-notice trawl or a formal posting application (e.g. after your first posting). This also means what you may think are non-green HQ posts. AT roles and shiny marching are not of much value. If you understand or have experience of the SO2 (Major) level of operational staffwork, such as being Battle Captain in an operational ops room, your chances of passing Officers Week will be much better. Ultimately, as an officer: Aptitude is the entry fee, Officers Week is the real test, and Continuation is just checking you are professionally competent enough to be credible. Nobody will select you because you may be the best lead scout or sniper the group has ever seen. They will select you because you are highly competent at staffwork, are a good planner and decision-maker, and your character fits.
Other than that, the approach and plan you describe seem mature and sensible.
@Tappet thank you for your reply. You mention the OC of Pathfinders is typically a senior Captain. Is this the only role available for an officer in the Pathfinders? Therefore are officers not permitted to apply for Pathfinder selection until that role becomes vacant?
No, there are a handful of PF officer posts. Given your aspirations, it might make sense to attempt PF selection as a Lt with an aim to do a tour there as a junior Captain, instead of a support company platoon commander.
Finally, I disagree with
@rustypilgrim . Correct, it's not required to be infantry or RAC. But particularly today with a dearth of operational experience, being a combat arms officer will give you a massive advantage in training and experience that you will find much harder to get in a support Corps. There are some appropriate roles (such as Brigade recce in the RE or RA) but they are fewer in number, with more competition. Again, passing Selection is just the entry fee, but still most fail so you want to maximise your chances. Additionally, several infantry regiments (Paras, Rifles, Gren and Irish Guards are/were best) actively support and give time to those who want to attempt Selection, while the Corps generally do not. An RAC recce regiment is also a good choice, because the Recce Commander's Course, which I think still many of them go on (ask
@Caecilius), is highly regarded and good preparation for Selection.
Selection is a pretty big hurdle in itself, so ultimately you aim to maximise your chances. It is possible to do it through other routes, but the one above will throw the least number of additional hurdles in your way, while making it easiest to get the experience you need.
