The SBS is under the Operational Command of Director Special Forces, which allocates resources to the Permanent Joint Headquarters, deployed forces or other tasks as required. Qualified personnel are known as "Swimmer Canoeists" and are employed in one of the operational squadrons, training wing or elsewhere in the RM, RN, DSF or MOD.
- M Squadron -
- The Maritime Counter-Terrorism and shipboard operations unit. Within M-Squadron is the Special Boat Service, Black Group, the counter-terrorism team that uses helicopter-borne assaults. They work closely with US Naval Special Warfare Development Group.