Each HSF unit was placed with either a Regular Army or Territorial Army regiment or battalion for administrative purposes and given that formation's title, cap badge and recruited from volunteers aged 18–60 with previous British forces (TA or regular) experience.
It was introduced to guard key points and installations likely to be the target of enemy special forces and saboteurs, so releasing other units for mobile defence roles.
The pilot started in September 1982 and consisted of four companies that were used to relieve the army of guarding key points.
A modern crest does exist, granted to the Home Service Force Association, but to avoid confusion, it is not shown here.
The recruitment of ex-servicemen with a minimum of two years experience enabled units to come up to operational readiness very quickly.
Secondly, on inspection of the list (below), there is a high potential for confusion between the HSF formations that existed at the time, and the Veterans' Groups that have been created since.
Many HSF troops and platoons (comprising approximately 30 soldiers) were based at a TA Centre that was managed by another unit; and local arrangements were necessary in order to operate.
As a result, the personnel in that troop or platoon created a very strong bond of mutual friendship that ensured their survival, and which continues today in retirement.
As a result, many HSF Veterans have become focused on their own troop or platoon experiences, sometimes to the detriment of those of their parent unit.
While restructuring and realignment is always difficult to accept in a culture of intense rivalry such as this, the word "association" may have a variety of meanings.