GEEZERS: On Camp with the SAS

22 Special Air Service Regiment is world-famous, and famously secretive. For the first time, step inside the SAS Camp at Hereford garrison and discover what the most elite soldiers of the British armed forces are really like off duty, on guard and up close. Lavers (not her real name) spent three years working in support services inside the closed SAS garrison camp where she got to know those who refer to themselves as 'Geezers'. They are the toughest and most resourceful soldiers in the world and only the cream of the crop get through the rigorous training programme to achieve their status as 'badged'. This elite force deserves their famous motto 'Who Dares Wins'. They cannot be identified, and their true job is known to very few people, for their own security and the protection of others, and they are prohibited from talking about their careers. So who are they? What are they really like? Lavers gets to know them as people rather than by their fearsome reputation and offers a behind-the-scenes look at life which is funny, heart breaking and compassionate, full frontal and with no holds barred. She concludes that although undoubtedly brave, somebody in the Regiment was always there to pick up the pieces, doctors and physios on hand and welfare officers and 'they really did seem a bit helpless sometimes and, in that regard, I felt desperately sorry for them.' They have to live their lives in secret. 336pp.