Commandos Marine

Special Operation Forces of the French Navy, the Commandos Marine, consists of more than 600 operatives including support units. It’s headquarters are located in the northwestern region of France, with several bases spread across the country for specific trainings. They have been active since 1947. They also called ‘’Green Berets’’ , which specializes in special operations, counter-terrorism, direct actions, long range recon, special recon, underwater demolition, joint terminal attack controller and amphibious warfare.

Modeled after the British Commandos, who were formed in 1940, the Commandos Marine was founded in 1942 in U.K, during the 2nd World War. The unit mostly founded by the volunteers from different military services, such as Naval Infantry, other Naval Specialties and Armies. They were trained in Scotland, the Commando Training Center Achnacarry and joined the 10th Commando.

In 1947 the Ministry of Navy decided to create five Commando Marine units. The French Navy changed several Naval Riflemen companies and French Navy Destroyers and soon renewed their operatives with commando-qualified trainees. Both Commando Hubert and Commando Francois were created from scratch. Each Commando Marine bears the name of an soldiers/officers who were killed during 2nd World War or during the Indochina campaign.

The majority of the recruits must have completed the Fusiliers-Marins Basic training and must have served more than nine months in the army. They have to undergo one of the toughest training courses among the NATO Special Operation Forces, the Stage Commando Course. Commando Training is the pipeline to the Special Operation Forces for the Naval Riflemen and upon successful completion, the soldiers are allowed to wear the green berets. The whole training lasts for 20 weeks, which includes one week of commando testing, six weeks of training and preparation, four weeks of evaluation, seven weeks of main training and two weeks of parachute trainings. It is very rigorous training to detect individuals with the right physical, intellectual and psychological potential needed to serve the unit and any mistake made during the training the trainees get disqualified immediately. The prospective trainees are always under stress and pressure, because all activities are timed and scored.