|
|
This page will incorporate a cross
between a brief summary of other secret UK organisations and a glossary
of UK intelligence and special force terms.
Work started on this page at the end
of August, and will continue for several months afterwards. Don't expect
to see too much too soon!
If you have a better description or
summary for a term or organisation listed here, please mail
the author. Likewise if you know of some group or term, which is missing
(in this case please supply a brief summary of the group or term if you
can).
Glossary:
14th Intelligence Company:
AKA: The Thinking Man's SAS (?) Several personnel from the three branches
of the Armed Forces are recruited each year for "Hazardous duties in
Northern Ireland". This is a recruiting euphemism for 14 Intelligence
Corps, a tri-service covert ops organisation generally considered to be
the intelligent man's SAS. Extremely physically fit, highly trained in techniques
such as CQB, IR photography and (predominantly) covert surveillance, "The
Company" as it is known performs in N Ireland, monitoring known IRA
terrorists and pre-emptively striking against terrorist targets. They are
never credited with a successful operation, always calling on RUC or HMSU
police units to perform the clearing up after their ops. 14 Int recruits
cleverer, stealthier and less agressive (than the SAS) personnel for its
role in NI. A two-week selection is followed by 6 months of specialist training.
Badged:
When a soldier reaches the very end of selection and becomes a member of
the SAS he is Badged.
Beat the clock:
If a member of the SAS joins the SAS and leaves alive, he is said to have
beaten the clock. This refers to the SAS memorial clock, which has the name,
date and place of death of all the members killed in action (KIA).
Comacchio Group:
A group of Royal Marines initially set-up in the late 70's to protect north
sea oil rigs from terrorism. The name of the group, Comacchio, was taken
from a WW2 battle honour. Initially the group comprised of around 300 men,
based in Arbroath. From the early 80's the group's role expanded to include
aspects of Naval security, including the guarding of nuclear devices.
Following the transfer of oil rig protection to Royal Marines Poole in 1987,
the group has concentrated on nuclear weapons protection, centred mainly
on the west coast of Scotland.
The group's personnel are highly trained, with emphasis on quick response
and accurate shooting. They have thier own small craft for waterborne movement.
Guarding the nation's remaining nuclear deterrent is a full time and taxing
duty.
D-Notice:
A system used by the government to silence the press in the event of a story
which could harm national security. The government publishes how many D-Notices
are issued, and what categories they are issued under periodically. D-Notices
are approved via the D-Notice Committee, to prevent their misuse.
Defence Research Agency (DRA
or DERA):
Keeping an eye on the Internet? Combating Paedophilla etc...
Gurkhas:
Nepalese regiment of the British Army who have a formidable reputation on
the battlefield. The regiment was founded around the start of the 19th century.
Each year approximately 200 Nepalese are recruited from over 15,000 applicants.
Gurkhas are technically cassified as Mercenaries.
Hooligans from Hereford:
Slang for the SAS?
Intelligence and Security Committee:
Parliamentary watchdog committee set-up to oversee MI5, MI6 and GCHQ in
an attempt to make the organisations more publicly accountable.
Joint Rapid Deployment Force
(JRDF):
The Joint Rapid Deployment Force is a new military force drawn from the
three forces. Set up after the end of the cold war, its role is to rapidly
project forces anywhere around the world. It is permanently based in the
PJ Headquarters.
Pathfinders:
The pathfinder platoon is an advanced airborne unit deployed ahead of the
main force. The troops are trained to be dropped into hot areas and to patrol
in small groups behind enemy lines, preparing the ground for the main forces.
Pathfinders are part of the Joint Rapid Reaction Force and the of 5th Airborne
brigade. The platoon has close links with the SAS, and around 60% of the
pathfinders will go on join the SAS.
Returned to unit (RTU):
If you leave the SAS for any reason then they RTU you.
Special Branch:
Section of the British Police force jointly responsible (with MI5) for intelligence
gathering on terrorist activities.
Swimmer Canoeist (SC):
Members of the SBS are designated Swimmer Canoeist's.
