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61-722: In contrast to the United Kingdom Special Forces Selection , which originally had separate selections before being merged in the late 1990s, the Malaysian Armed Forces Special Forces Selection started as one before the Royal Malaysian Navy and Royal Malaysian Air Force initiated their own special forces selection processes in the mid-1980s. The Malaysian Army , which has the largest special forces among other service branches, conducts

122-705: A 17 kilograms (37 lb) load, aiming to reach the target 160 kilometres (99 mi) away within three days. Those who succeed in this march proceed to spend seven days in a swampy area without access to food supplies or proper clothing. They are provided only with their underwear and rifle, and they are required to share a machete . This phase serves as a practical application of all survival lessons taught in previous phases. The sea training spans two weeks, during which candidates engage in practical exercises involving small craft marine navigation , long-range silent rowing , and beach raids using rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RIB), rigid raider craft , and kayaks . Upon completion of

183-620: A crash course on what to expect if they become special forces operators. When compared to the United Kingdom Special Forces Selection, this course is equivalent to the SAS Infantry Skills Course, which is optional only for candidates not from infantry units. Designed specifically for special forces involved in maritime operations, this rigorous four-week programme focuses on physical conditioning and water competency testing. Similar to

244-472: A high water entry (10 m), treading water for 9 minutes, followed immediately by a 500 m timed swim, then a 10 m underwater swim to recover a small weight from the bottom of the water. Candidates are interviewed individually on their motivation for joining UKSF. The Aptitude Phase, commonly referred to as Hills Phase, takes place in the Brecon Beacons , with candidates based at Sennybridge Camp . This

305-423: A less strict atmosphere, occasionally allowing candidates permission to leave the camp on weekends. Throughout this course, candidates are instructed on optimal techniques for physical training to minimise the risk of injuries during the basic commando course. They also receive training in swimming fundamentals, and a crucial component is the requirement to pass a physical test at the course's conclusion. Examples of

366-519: A member of a four-soldier jungle long-range reconnaissance patrol (LRRP), deep behind enemy lines, for a month. Chris Ryan , former sergeant in the SAS, credits this training for saving his life after his patrol, callsign Bravo Two Zero , was compromised while conducting a reconnaissance patrol north of Baghdad . Ryan was forced to trek 300 km through the Iraqi desert to cross the border into Syria. This

427-684: A result, their Basic Commando Course, starting in July 2019, was extended to 20 weeks. Since the adjustment to the selection process in 2019, the number of graduates from the Basic 69 Commando Course has approached 30. United Kingdom Special Forces Selection UK Joint Special Forces Selection is the selection and training process for candidates of the United Kingdom Special Forces : Special Air Service , Special Boat Service , and Special Reconnaissance Regiment . Members of

488-639: A special forces soldier, commonly referred to today as an 'operator'. Even after the RMN and RMAF established their own special forces in 1977 and 1980, the SWTC remained the sole commando school conducting special forces selection for the entire MAF. The term Commando School is used for training centres that offer selection courses, officially known as Basic Commando Courses ( Malay : Kursus Asas Komando ), for Special Forces in Malaysia. The term 'Commando' in Malaysia

549-439: Is a favourite among the candidates. It provides exposure to practical training and field skills, including guarding and patrolling, establishing bases, survival techniques, and small unit tactics (section/troop) combat. For instance, candidates learn about poisonous and edible plants, trap-setting, and identifying drinkable water sources from plants. During this phase, all candidates endure a challenging combat-loaded march carrying

610-529: Is known by various names, including ' Warm-up for the Basic Commando Course ( Malay : Pemanasan Kursus Asas Komando )', ' STAR Pre-Basic Commando Course ( Malay : Kursus Pra Asas Komando STAR )', ' PASKAL Warm-up Stage ( Malay : Peringkat Pemanasan PASKAL )', and several others. Regardless of its name, this four-week course aims to physically and mentally prepare candidates for upcoming phases in their special forces pipeline. It maintains

671-485: Is the endurance and navigation portion of selection and tests for physical fitness, mental determination, and capacity for self-sufficiency. The Hills Phase lasts 4 weeks, with candidates having to perform increasingly difficult loaded marches , navigating between checkpoints individually using only a compass and hand-drawn sketch map. Exercise High Walk, known as the Fan Dance , is a 26 km march that takes place at

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732-622: Is the oldest special operations training centre in Malaysia. Established on 1 August 1976, as the Malaysian Armed Forces Special Warfare Training Centre ( Malay : Pusat Latihan Peperangan Khas Angkatan Tentera Malaysia ), this school operates under the administration of the Malaysian Army Training and Doctrine Command . One of the objectives of the establishment of SWTC is to conduct Basic Commando Courses, taking over from

793-542: Is used to signify the ability of a unit or individual trained in small unit tactics , guerrilla warfare , and jungle warfare mastery. Although in the present day, the term 'Commando' is highly associated with special forces units in Malaysia, the status of 'commando' was not exclusive to special forces in the past. For example, during the Malayan Emergency , the British conferred the status of 'Commando' upon

854-725: The 21st Commando Regiment ) in 1970. However, in the 1980s, the course was streamlined back to its current 12-week duration. All special forces, except those from the Royal Malaysian Police, attend the course at all commando schools within the Malaysian Armed Forces. While all courses generally follow the same curriculum and phases, the Royal Malaysian Air Force Basic Commando Course differs in its designation of phases as modules. Additionally, they separate

915-623: The British Commando School under SOE. The principles and expertise acquired during that training period continue to influence and shape the development of special forces in Malaysia today. Following the conclusion of World War II, Malaya and Borneo found themselves embroiled in a new conflict against communism . The Malayan Emergency , which commenced in 1948, posed a challenge for the Malayan British Military Administration (BMA) due to

976-784: The Commonwealth Nations . In early 1965, Abdul Razak Hussein , the Minister of Defence at the time, instructed the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) to establish an experimental special forces unit by recruiting members from various branches within the MAF. General Tunku Osman , the Chief of Defence Forces at that time and a former Force 136 agent, desired that the task force be trained as commandos , similar to his own experiences during World War II. Seeking assistance,

1037-1042: The Senoi Praqq , a manhunt and tracker unit that functioned as an auxiliary team for the Special Air Service , and the Sarawak Rangers , a manhunt and tracker unit embedded with the Royal Marines Commando. Likewise, in 1972, amid the Communist insurgency in Malaysia (1968–1989) , the Malaysian government granted the 'Commando' status to the Tiger Platoon of the 9 RAMD, a long-range reconnaissance patrol . The four commando schools are: The Special Warfare Training Centre (SWTC), located at Sungai Udang Camp in Malacca,

1098-544: The Special Actions Unit is distinct from commando units. Consequently, its special forces selection process differs from that of other special forces units in Malaysia. The Pusat Latihan Unit Tindakhas , or Special Actions Unit Training Centre in English, is a special forces training centre under the Royal Malaysian Police and is currently in the construction phase. It is located inside the 4th Battalion of

1159-958: The Sultan Nazrin Shah 69 Commando Camp ( VAT 69 Commando's Headquarters ) at Hulu Kinta in Perak, it marks a shift from VAT 69 Commando 's previous headquarters at the General Operations Force 's (GOF) Northern Brigade's garrison. Since 1978, VAT 69 Commando has been conducting its Basic Commando Course at the GOF Northern Brigade in Hulu Kinta and the Commando 69 Outdoor Training Camp Headquarters ( Malay : Markas Kem Latihan Luar Komando 69 ) in Terong , Perak. Operating primarily in urban environments,

1220-522: The World War II British Commando . This course differs from the post-2003 United Kingdom Special Forces Selection, where the updated programme extends to 26 weeks after the inclusion of various special operations techniques. 40 Commando supervised the Basic Commando Course in 1965, which initially spanned 12 weeks before extending to 24 weeks, following the establishment of the 1st Malaysian Special Service Regiment (now known as

1281-791: The armed forces when Reginald James MacGregor 's sons joined the Royal Air Force . From April to August 1942, Tunku Osman trained with the Gloucester Regiment as a recruit and later joined the 80th Reconnaissance Regiment. He was then sent undergo cadet training at the Highland Fieldcraff Centre in Scotland . He underwent further training at Bovington and was seconded to the Royal Armoured Car Regiment . In 1944, he entered

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1342-812: The formation of Malaysia in 1963, during World War II , the region now known as Malaysia witnessed the introduction of modern special forces. Force 136 , the Far East branch of the Special Operations Executive (SOE), established a forward operating base in Kuala Kangsar , Perak. Citizens from various regions, including British Malaya , the Raj of Sarawak , North Borneo , and Southern Siam , such as Chin Phui Kong , Ibrahim Ismail , and Tunku Osman , underwent special forces training at

1403-631: The guerrilla tactics employed by the enemy, who had received training from Force 136 during World War II. The existing military and police forces in Malaya, being versed in conventional warfare , struggled to make headway against the communist armed forces. To address this issue, the BMA formed a unit known as the Ferret Force , comprising former Force 136 agents and local volunteers from the military and police forces. Colonel John Davis led this unit. As

1464-630: The 1970s, the RMP establishing a police tactical unit on 1 January 1975. This unit, named the Special Actions Unit , underwent specialised training to carry out counterterrorism operations, covert missions, and to serve as an assault team for the RMP in urban areas. To enhance their capabilities, counterterrorism instructors from the 22 Special Air Service were brought to Malaysia to train the Special Actions Unit in counterterrorism tactics, building raids, and sniper operations. On 20 October 1997,

1525-492: The 1st Malaysian Special Service Regiment, so they can focus on functioning as a combat unit. In the past, the Basic Commando Course at the SWTC served as the primary special forces selection for all branches of the Malaysian Armed Forces. However, in 1985, the Royal Malaysian Navy initiated its own Special Forces Selection at Lumut Naval Base , leading to SWTC undergoing a transformation and changing its name to

1586-728: The British Military Administration (BMA) in Malaya and served in the British Army in Malaya. In 1947 Tunku Osman joined the Royal Malay Regiment (1 February 1947) and was commissioned as lieutenant and assigned to the 2nd Battalion Malay Regiment. He was promoted to captain in February 1951 and later to the rank of major in 1955. The same year, Tunku Osman was sent to attend a Senior Officers course at Devizes, Wiltshire. In 1958, Tunku Osman

1647-710: The Commando 69 Outdoor Training Camp Headquarters while awaiting the completion of the Pusat Latihan Unit Komando 69 Pasukan Gerak Khas . Originally, VAT 69 candidates underwent a similar Basic Commando Course as the military, lasting for 12 weeks. However, due to a low number of police personnel passing the course, in January 2019, the then-Commander of VAT 69, SAC Abdul Razak Mohd Yusoff SP , aimed to adjust VAT 69's selection program to be less rigorous without compromising special forces standards. This adjustment aimed to allow for more graduates to fill

1708-749: The General Operations Force's garrison at Semenyih in Selangor. Since its formation in 1975, the Special Actions Unit has relied on various locations for its selection process, including the GOF Northern Brigade, the 6th Battalion GOF camp in Bakri, Muar , PULAPOL facilities, and Bukit Aman . Aspiring individuals must follow this pipeline to serve in the following units, all conducted at Commando schools: Initial training Jungle (2 weeks) Jungle (2 weeks) Jungle (2 weeks) Jungle (2 weeks) Jungle (2 weeks) Jungle (2 weeks) This course

1769-680: The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) established the Special Warfare Training Centre (SWTC) on 1 August 1976, at Sungai Udang Camp in Malacca. The training centre was placed under the management of the Malaysian Army . During this period, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) still lacked their own special forces. Officers, sailors, or airmen from these branches could volunteer for Gerak Khas selection to become

1830-711: The Malaysian Armed Forces approached 40 Commando , based in Singapore at the time, to conduct the selection process and provide training for the task force. Initially named the Malaysian Special Service Unit , it later became known as Gerak Khas in Malay. The Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation officially ended in 1966, but Malaysia faced a second communist armed conflict that began in 1968. On 13 May 1969, racial riots erupted in major cities in Malaysia, resulting in several casualties. In response to

1891-717: The Malaysian Army Special Warfare Training Centre. Established on 1 March 2018, the RMAF Combat Training School , or Sekolah Latihan Tempur TUDM in Malay, is located at RMAF Bukit Ibam Air Base in Pahang. Operating under the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), the school has offered the Basic Commando Course since its inception. Before the school's establishment, the RMAF conducted its own Basic Commando Course since

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1952-724: The OCTU at Barmouth , Wales in December 1944 to undergo training as a cadet officer . In 1945, Tunku Osman joined the Force 136 and was commissioned as second lieutenant (May 1945) and was absorbed into the General List. He continued parachute training and investigations at Calcutta, India . He spearheaded the Malay Guerrilla Group when Force 136 was abolished after surrender of Japan. In 1946, Tunku Osman joined

2013-474: The RMP amalgamated the VAT 69 Commando and the Special Actions Unit, establishing a unified special operations command . Consequently, these two units are recognised as the true special forces within the RMP. Due to the ongoing armed conflict with communists, which showed no signs of near resolution, and with the aim of saving costs associated with sending military personnel overseas for special operations training,

2074-472: The SAS and SBS undergo selection up to the award of a sand-coloured beret to SAS personnel, whereupon SBS candidates undergo further selection to qualify as Swimmer Canoeists , and SAS personnel undergo further specialist training. SRR candidates undergo the Aptitude Phase, before going on to their own specialist covert surveillance & reconnaissance training. Until the late 1990s, candidates for

2135-593: The SAS and SBS underwent selection separately. Selection is held twice per year, in the summer and in the winter. Typically, less than 10% of candidates make it through the selection process. To be eligible for selection, a candidate must be under the age of 32, have served in the military for at least two years, have three years left to serve and be recommended for service in UKSF by their Commanding Officer (CO). This five-day programme tests basic fitness and skills such as swimming and map reading. The swim test consists of

2196-552: The SAS, and RM Poole for the SBS. Soldiers are taught advanced weapon handling with weapons used by UKSF, as well as weapons used by foreign militaries and adversaries. Patrolling, ambush, break contact, close target reconnaissance, demolitions, vehicle handling, close-quarters combat (CQB), battlefield casualty, and dynamic shooting drills are also learnt. Candidates who cannot learn and apply these skills are returned to their unit (RTU). The third phase of selection takes place deep in

2257-490: The clock, throughout the day and regardless of the weather conditions. Candidates are forbidden from using paths and trails. Andy McNab , former sergeant in the SAS, stated that at the end of the Hills Phase, his group had gone from 220 down to 24 candidates. The second phase of selection consists of 14 weeks of SF tactics, techniques and procedures training, held at a candidates' respective unit, Stirling Lines for

2318-422: The end of each week, candidates are required to undergo several series of loaded marches , with distances progressively increasing from 4.8 kilometres (3.0 mi), 8 kilometres (5.0 mi), 11.2 kilometres (7.0 mi), 14 kilometres (8.7 mi), and 16 kilometres (9.9 mi). If they fail to reach the end under the specified time limits, the instructors withdraw them from the Basic Commando Course. This two-week jungle training

2379-463: The end of the first week of the phase. It is used as the first major indicator of whether a candidate has the physical and mental aptitude to complete selection. The candidates climb Pen y Fan's west slope (facing Corn Du ) and then descend on the far side, known as Jacob's Ladder. The rest of the route follows the old Roman road, before going back on itself, ascending Pen y Fan again for the return leg. Candidates are allowed 4 hours 10 minutes to complete

2440-763: The final tests include: The objective of this two-week phase is to familiarise sailors , whether from the navy or coast guard , as well as policemen, with infantry skills, small unit tactics and jungle warfare . This is crucial because, unlike the Malaysian Army or Royal Malaysian Air Force, which recruits potential commandos from infantry and air force infantry units, the navy, coast guard, and police do not undergo similar training. For instance, naval and coast guard officers and sailors have their own distinctive naval ratings when in their original units. Similarly, policemen primarily focus on law enforcement duties in their original units. In this course, they receive

2501-828: The incident's racial tensions, the Special Branch , the police intelligence unit, collaborated with the Malaysian Special Service Unit to apprehend leaders of gangsters and triads who played a role behind the scenes. Recognising the need for special forces within the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP), the RMP established a special forces task force in 1969, with the first selection process taking place in October of that year. The task force went by various names, such as Task Force , Charlie Force , and Special Project Team . Over time,

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2562-483: The jungle of Brunei or Belize . Candidates are expected to apply and demonstrate skills learned from continuation training, whilst in an arduous, humid, dirty, wet, hot environment, where toxic and poisonous animals and plants are rife, and a simple cut could lead to a problematic infection. Candidates are watched and assessed constantly by the Directing Staff (DS). Soldiers use live rounds, and simulate being

2623-589: The larger spots left by retired and departing commandos. According to Abdul Razak, as mentioned in an interview with Utusan Malaysia , at that time, the lowest number of policemen graduating from the basic commando course was only 9 graduates from hundreds of initial applications, while they needed to fill around 80 spots every year left by retired and departing commandos. To address this issue, VAT 69 restructured their selection process, incorporating additional special operations skills such as small unit tactics, special operations marksmanship, and demolition techniques. As

2684-445: The last checkpoint. Candidates can be caught more than once. The total distance candidates cover during their escape is almost 240 kilometres (150 mi), and they must cover this distance within 5 days. Known as Kursus Asas Komando 69 in Malay or Basic 69 Commando Course in English, this course spans 20 weeks. It is conducted twice a year and currently takes place at the General Operations Force's (GOF) Northern Brigade's garrison and

2745-634: The late 1993 at various locations, including the Air Force Academy , RMAF Jugra Air Base in Selangor, and RMAF Kuantan Air Base in Pahang. Established on 1 October 2021, KD Panglima Garang is a Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) shore establishment located inside RMN Lumut Naval Base in Perak. Also known as the Naval Special Forces Training Centre, it boasts various facilities, including a mock oil platform for Naval Special Forces (PASKAL) training. Despite

2806-443: The most challenging course. The course runs for 12 consecutive weeks without any rest days between phases. On average, candidates get approximately 3 hours of sleep per night from the beginning to the end of the course. Despite its name incorporating the term 'Commando', this course is comparable to the condensed version of the pre-2000 United Kingdom Special Forces Selection , which lasted 15 weeks. The term 'Commando' originates from

2867-663: The previous phases. Candidates are deployed in groups, tasked with infiltrating 100 kilometres (62 mi) into the operation area by rowing RIB. In the operation area, candidates must locate and identify the enemy and their assets before planning, organising, and launching a raid in the enemy's territory. Once they achieve their objective, they need to escape and report to several agents at designated checkpoints. They must know how to contact their agents and evade instructors acting as enemies who control that area. If caught, candidates will be tortured and abused. Captured candidates will be marked and released to continue their journey until they reach

2928-419: The ranks and files of the army. Tunku Osman received his early education at Hutchings School, Penang and later enrolled into the Sultan Abdul Hamid College (SAHC), Alor Star , Kedah . In March 1935, he furthered his studies at the Bristol Grammar School , England . There, he was taken care of and guided by Reginald James MacGregor . When the war broke in Europe, Tunku Osman showed his interest in joining

2989-470: The recent establishment of the RMN's special operations training centre, RMN has conducted its own Basic Commando Course since 1985 at RMN Lumut Naval Base, sharing training facilities with other RMN units. The Pusat Latihan Unit Komando 69 Pasukan Gerak Khas ( lit. Training Centre for the 69 Commando Unit, Special Operations Force) is a special forces training centre that belongs to the Royal Malaysian Police , currently under construction. Situated inside

3050-484: The requirements for U.S. Navy SEALs and SWCC candidates, successful completion is mandatory. This programme is not exclusive to special forces; candidates from other maritime specialised units, such as Navy Clearance Divers and Coast Guard Rescue Divers , also participate alongside them. In the final week, they need to pass the following tests: The Malaysian Armed Forces conduct the Basic Commando Course, known as Kursus Asas Komando in Malay, over 12 weeks, making it

3111-464: The route. In 2013, three Army reservists died while undertaking the Fan Dance. They collapsed at the end of the march, after temperatures soared to 30 °C, while they had carried a rifle and bergen weighing at least 27 kg. This phase culminates with the 'Long Drag', a 64 km trek carrying a 25 kg bergen (not including food, water, and a rifle), that must be completed in under 20 hours, navigating from checkpoint to checkpoint individually and against

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3172-503: The sea phase into the 'Sea Module' and the 'Dark Water Module'. The phases include: Organised over five weeks, this phase stands as the crucial level for testing and enhancing candidates' physical and mental resilience. Candidates undergo constant physical endurance and exercise, engaging in theories and practical applications of weapon handling, explosives handling, tactics and stratagem implementation, field medical procedures, rappelling and abseiling, as well as honing map-reading skills. At

3233-423: The selection process three times a year. The Malaysian Special Forces Selection typically involves two courses before candidates graduate from the selection and are awarded the beret according to their units and a combat knife . Depending on their commando school, graduates may also be awarded a special forces lanyard and insignia. Years prior to the independence of Malaya from the United Kingdom in 1957 and

3294-427: The situation continued to deteriorate, General Sir John Harding , the commander-in-chief of the Far East Land Forces , enlisted the expertise of Major Mike "Mad Mike" Calvert . Major Calvert, a former Chindits and Force 136 agent with experience in Burma, was tasked with assessing the situation in Malaya. In 1950, Major Calvert established a special forces unit called the Malayan Scouts. Subsequently, Ferret Force

3355-481: The task force evolved into a permanent police unit and officially adopted the name Pasukan Polis Hutan 69 , translated as Police Field Force 69, or Jungle Squad 69 in English. It was placed under the Police Field Force, now known as the General Operations Force . Presently, the squad is known as 69 Commando , or VAT 69 for short. In response to the growing presence of communism, the emergence of gangster groups, and triads in major cities, especially Kuala Lumpur, during

3416-489: The training, they undertake a 160 kilometres (99 mi) journey along the Straits of Malacca using rigid raider craft, conducted under the cover of night to simulate infiltration into the objective area by sea. For the Royal Malaysian Air Force Basic Commando Course, this phase is split into two modules known as the 'Sea Module' and the 'Dark Water Module'. This phase exposes candidates to real special forces operations, requiring them to apply all they have learned and endured in

3477-409: Was assigned to the 6th Battalion and the 7th Malay Regiment as Assistant Commanding Officer. In July 1958, Tunku Osman was promoted to lieutenant colonel and took command of the 2nd Battalion Malay Regiment. He was the first Malay commanding Oofficer of the battalion. In May 1960, Tunku Osman was promoted to the rank of colonel while he was attending the Joint Services Staff College and in June 1960

3538-399: Was promoted to brigadier general and took command of 2nd Malayan Infantry Brigade. In July 1961, Tunku Osman was made "Brigadier of The Army" at the Ministry of Defense. When General Tan Sri Sir Rodney Moore retired as the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces , Tunku Osman was promoted to major general and appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces. He was the first Malayan to hold

3599-410: Was reorganised and became A Squadron, Malayan Scouts. The Malayan Scouts underwent another transformation in 1958 when they were renamed the 22 Special Air Service. The Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation began in 1963 when Indonesia , then under a pro-communist government, attacked Malaysia. At that time, Malaysia, having recently formed, had a small military force and relied on military assistance from

3660-425: Was the first Malaysian Armed Forces Chief of Staff. He was a nephew of Tunku Abdul Rahman , Malaysia's first Prime Minister as well as a cousin of Sultan Abdul Halim , Tunku Abdul Malik , Tunku Annuar and Sultan Sallehuddin since their fathers and Tunku Abdul Rahman were brothers (paternal half siblings). General Tunku Osman was known for his strong principles and self-discipline as well as highly respected by

3721-565: Was the longest escape and evasion in the history of the SAS. Mandatory for all UKSF. Operators are trained in High altitude/high opening and High Altitude Low Opening by the Parachute Training Squadron, Airborne Delivery Wing at RAF Brize Norton . For SBS personnel only, the SC3 course involves training and diving in all conditions, canoeing (often over long distances), underwater demolitions, beach reconnaissance and surveying techniques. Tunku Osman Malayan Emergency Tunku Tan Sri Osman (24 November 1919 – 19 April 1994)

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