OTHER SECRET ORGANISATIONS

UNDER CONSTRUCTION
This is a new addition to the Secret Kingdom...

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:

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.

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.

Swimmer Canoeist (SC):
Members of the SBS are designated Swimmer Canoeist's.

SKMI5MI6GCHQSASSBSOTHERSLINKSWHYWHO

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Last updated:
05/09/96