Performance Intelligence Bite Size: Would You Make It Through SAS Selection? Former Soldier Tells All | Harry Moffitt
Dec 21, 2025
Harry Moffitt, a former soldier in the Australian SAS, shares gritty insights into elite military training. He reveals the harsh realities of SAS life, likening it to a prison rather than a glamorous job. Moffitt discusses the rigorous selection process, emphasizing traits like mental toughness and endurance. He debunks Hollywood myths about special forces, explaining the intense, high-pressure training recruits endure. With a focus on adaptability, he details why balanced candidates are more successful than specialized athletes.
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SAS Life Is Relentlessly Demanding
- The SAS feels like a prison yard you get to go home from each night, demanding constant physical and mental standards.
- Candidates must be above average across many domains, not elite in just one, and tolerate ambiguity and endurance.
Look For The 'Gray' Multi‑Skilled Recruit
- Selection looks for people who are good enough across physical, mental and social domains rather than one superstar trait.
- Overtrained or flashy recruits often fail; the preferred candidate is the quiet professional or 'gray man'.
Develop Practical Skills And Resilience
- Cultivate mechanical problem solving and hands-on skills, especially from country or practical backgrounds.
- Build resilience by facing and overcoming adversity early in life before attempting selection.