Swiss Kommando Spezialkräfte

The Special Forces Command (German: Kommando Spezialkräfte) is the unified combatant command charged with overseeing the various special operations component commands of the Swiss Armed Forces (Schweizer Armee). The command is part of the Joint Operations Command (Kommando Operationen) that specialised in air assault and airborne operations, clandestine and covert operations, commando style raids, counterterrorism and hostage rescue crisis management, executive protection, ISTAR, long-range penetration, maneuver warfare, military intelligence gathering, operating open fields and other difficult terrains, rapid offensive operations with capable of acting on short notice, special reconnaissance, and special warfare.

Grenadiers are subjected to considerable physical strain, applicants are required to be in excellent physical conditions, and recruits are chosen through a strict selection process.

The Grenadiers have been part of the ''Grenadier Command 1'' since the "Army XXI" reform in late 2004, before which Grenadier units were integrated in other regiments. Grenadier Command 1, subordinated to the "Reconnaissance Formations of the Armed Forces and Grenadiers", is headquartered in Rivera. The Grenadiers' motto, shared with many other military institutions, is "Semper Fidelis".

History

Soldiers denominated "grenadiers" have long been part of Switzerland's military tradition: even before the 19th century, grenadiers served as part of the cantonal contingents of the Swiss Confederacy. Modern Grenadiers were formed in the early 1940s, originating from the "Infantry Pioneers" trained by Chief instructor Matthias Brunner, the commander of a riflemen company who developed a close-quarters battle technique in the shooting schools of Walenstadt. This company, made up of volunteers, faced a stricter and more intensive training than other infantry companies.

In 1943, General Henri Guisan, convinced of the necessity of shock troops specially trained for close-quarters battle, demolition, hand-to-hand combat, maneuver warfare, mine clearance in preparation for the assaults, raiding, reconnaissance, and trench warfare, decided to form a similar company in each of the 37 infantry regiments of the army. In the same year, the designation of "Grenadiers" replaced that of "Pioneers", marking the birth of the corps. Also in 1943, the first recruit school of Grenadiers were held in Locarno and Solduno. After the war, the makeshift training grounds were relocated twice, first to Losone, but after complains about having a military installation in a touristic area they were moved again to Isone, where they remain to this day.

In 1968, to answer the necessity of a specific training for combat and deployment in difficult terrains, units of Mountain Grenadiers were created. In 1970 Airborne Grenadiers, while subordinated to aviation troops, were first trained in the Grenadier recruit school. In 1971, companies of motorised Grenadiers were created. In the 1970s, the guerrilla tactics first introduced in 1943 were resumed and adapted with the name of "hunting war" (). The Army XXI reform of 2004 reassembled all Grenadier formations of the previous "Army 95" model in the Grenadier Command 1.

Structure

The Special Forces Command is an infantry formation of about 3,000 soldiers and consists of the following units:

Training

The recruitment process of Grenadier units takes place one year before recruit school, and generally matches the ones of other corps, with the exception that one must volunteer to become a Grenadier.

Those interested and recruited as Grenadiers are subjected to an additional assessment program which takes place in the Special Force Training Center and serves as a selection to make recruits become aware of the reality of undergoing the course of the Special Force Training Center.

This additional assessment includes multiple physical tests as well as a comprehensive medical and psychological tests.

Recruit school, extending over a period of 23 weeks, is very demanding, both physically and psychologically. Those who successfully meet the performance during the various selection exams, mainly taking place until the eighth week during the so-called selection phase before the specialisation phase will be integrated into the Grenadier Battalions as a Grenadier earning the "Grenadier-Bombe" tab.

Those who do not meet the physical, psychological and social expectations usually remain in the Special Force Unit serving as a support staff. Training for NCOs and officers begins after the recruit school and candidates attend the Special Force Training Centres own NCO and officer school.

Equipment

Additional Grenadier courses offered to recruits include basic training of selected firearms and survival skills.

The Grenadiers will also be issued with plate carriers to replace their LBE gear.

References

External links

Special Forces Command (SFC)

{{Portal bar, Switzerland

Military units and formations of Switzerland
Military units and formations established in 1943
Special forces of Switzerland