In war, both sides (or all sides, depending on the conflict) want to gain an advantage. That advantage can be achieved through a number of ways: greater firepower, technology and more sophisticated weaponry, tactical advantages, and more manpower.
All, some or simply one of these can be decisive on the battlefield, but sometimes not enough. In comes the idea of “special forces,” an army of specially trained elite soldiers so skillful and fierce that they could decide any combat situation.
Winston Churchill is usually credited with the creation of the first modern special forces unit when he called for “specially trained troops of the hunter class, who can develop a reign of terror down the enemy coast,” thus giving birth to the Special Service Brigade during the Second World War.
However, Churchill’s idea was not new. Special forces have been used throughout history by many countries and empires, some of them so effective and fearsome that their reputations live on today.
The Greeks had the Spartans, a whole nation of special forces troops; the Persian Empire had the immortals, while the Ottoman empire employed the feared Janissaries, still other countries used special forces at one point or another in their history.
Warfare has changed, though, so let’s look at today’s badass commandos from around the world.
British SAS
“Who Dares Wins.”
SAS Motto
The granddaddy and model for all modern special forces was created in 1950 and is mainly tasked with counter-terrorism in peacetime and special operations in wartime.
They came to the public eye after a daring and successful raid on the Iranian Embassy in London to rescue hostages during the 1980 Iranian Embassy siege.
The SAS specializes in counter-terrorism during peacetime and special operations in wartime, laying the groundwork for contemporary special forces.
The British SAS follow the same sea, air and land training as the US SEALs, but receive more in-depth and complex counter-espionage training than their American counterparts, making them truly invaluable on the field.
That said, the SAS and SEALs often work and train together.
They are trained in numerous fighting techniques and remain the primary model in which most national commando units are based.
Navy SEAL Team 6 – DEVGRU
“The only easy day was yesterday.”
Navy SEALs Motto
Born after the tragic and failed 1979 mission to rescue American hostages in the American Embassy in Tehran, SEAL Team 6, now known as DEVGRU, is a highly professional, super-secret, counter-terrorism unit consisting of four line squadrons – Red, Blue, Gold and Silver.
The men within these units are the elite of the elite of special op forces and are trained on sea, air and land, (the origin of the SEAL acronym) making them a well-rounded, highly trained group of individuals.
DEVGRU's impressive track record includes major conflicts, from Grenada to the daring raid that took down Osama bin Laden.
They have participated in all the major conflicts where the US has had a presence since the Iranian debacle, including Grenada, Panama, both Gulf Wars, Somalia, Afghanistan, the Maersk Alabama hijacking and the killing of Osama bin Laden.
SEAL Team 6 has received a lot of media attention lately, both for victories like the spectacular Osama bin Laden killing in Pakistan and the Team’s subsequent projection onto celluloid at the hands of Kathryn Bigelow in Zero Dark Thirty; and defeats like the one suffered in Afghanistan in August 2011 when a Taliban shot down a Chinook helicopter carrying 22 SEAL Team 6 members, killing all of the passengers.
Delta Force
Described as “quiet professionals” and the “quintessential shadow force,” the US Army’s Delta Force is the only official US counter-terrorism unit focused on hostage rescues, counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism.
The basic difference between Delta Force and the SEALS, Hollywood spotlights aside, is that Delta Force fights alongside conventional forces, whereas the SEALS go it alone.
Rigorous selection and training, including grueling physical and psychological trials, mold Delta Force operatives into elite warriors prepared for the most demanding missions.
Still, selection and training for Delta Force is tough. It includes a rigid physical test that begins with sit ups and push-ups and a 3 mile run to be done within a limited time frame, 18-mile hike over rugged, mountainous terrain carrying a 35 lb backpack and compass, but no a map, another 45-mile hike carrying a 45 lb backpack and an even shorter time limit.
After successful completion of the physical test, each candidate must undergo a number of mental exams where examiners attempt to confuse and thus break the individual.
After the successful completion of these tests, the recruit is then permitted to enter into the actual 6 month training program for the Delta Force.
Polish GROM
The GROM, which means “thunder” in Polish, were created in 1990 as a response to terrorism threats, specifically the seizure of the Polish Embassy in Bern in 1982, and is just one of Poland’s Special Ops forces, but their roots go back to World War II and the actions carried out by the Cichocemni or “The Silent and Dark Ones,” a unit of elite Polish paratroopers that carried out successful clandestine missions on behalf of the allies.
After Poland’s fall to the Soviets, the latter made sure the country had no special forces that could oppose them. With the fall of the Berlin Wall, they were re-activated by a concerned Lieutenant Colonel, who modeled the unit after the British SAS.
The Polish government didn’t acknowledge their existence until 1994.
Their grueling training includes a psychological test, a durability test and what is known as a “trust” test. The trust test is meant to exhaust applicants physically and mentally to filter out any weak recruits.
After completing this phase, the candidates are trained in a number of specialized areas including anti-terrorism, special operations, scuba diving, sniping and parachuting.
These versatile commandos, fluent in multiple languages and skilled in various disciplines, exemplify Poland's special forces prowess and NATO's finest.
Those who complete the training will be formidable warriors that can speak at least two languages, be an expert in martial arts, be cross-trained in several different roles and probably a medic, as 75% of GROM are trained medics.
The 300-strong GROM are divided into teams of four, each learning the responsibilities of the others.
They are deployed to deal with a variety of threats and unconventional warfare roles.
Within five years, the group converted to a special military formation in compliance with NATO standards.
They are revered among the newest members of NATO as the best commando unit.
Israeli Shayetet 13
“Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire.”
Talmud
The extremely secretive Shayetet 13 unit is best known for their participation in Operation Spring of Youth carried out in Lebanon as revenge for the massacre of 11 Israeli athletes during the 1972 Munich Olympics.
They found and killed all the terrorists involved in the attack in one night.
This Special Ops group shares the Israeli Army motto: “Never Again”, referring to the Holocaust.
With silent determination, Shayetet 13 carries the torch of remembrance, proving that heroes emerge from the shadows when justice calls.
Together with the Sayeret Matkal and Shaldag Unit, they make up the Special Forces units of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
After two years of exhaustive training, Shayetet members are ready to carry out counter-terrorism missions and rescue hostages.
Austrian Eko Cobra
Formed in the aftermath of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre, the Austrian counter-terrorism unit par excellence maintains a very low profile, despite their high-speed involvement in the war on terror.
Among Europe's best-trained counter-terrorist units, Eko Cobra maintains a steadfast commitment to safeguarding Austria and its allies.
Eko Cobra has swept up plenty of awards and prizes in European S.W.A.T. competitions.
They are modest, carrying out their covert missions without much fanfare, but are held in high esteem as one of the best-trained counter-terrorist units in the world.
German GSG9
So many of the Special Forces units listed here were formed as a response to an emergency that initially could not be handled due to lack of training, equipment or preparation.
The GSG9 is no different in this respect, having been formed after the failed attempt to free the 11 Israeli hostages kidnaped during the Olympic Games in Munich in 1972.
GSG9's reputation as an elite force rests on its multifaceted capabilities, tackling terrorism, kidnapping, and securing locations with unwavering dedication.
Necessity is the mother of invention. The GSG9 is a highly professional special operations unit of the German Federal Police, specializing in counter-terrorism and deployed in cases of hostages, kidnapping, terrorism, extortion, securing locations, neutralizing targets, tracking down fugitives and conducting sniper operations.
They also test new methods and tactics they develop for these various missions.
After more than 1,500 missions, the GSG9 have only fired their weapons five times, proof of their professionalism, dedication and excellent training.
Huntsmen Corps : Danish Special Forces
In the heart of Denmark’s defense lies the Jaeger Corps, familiar to many as the Huntsmen Corps, a symbol of unparalleled prowess and dedication.
Nestled within the Special Operations Command and originally hailing from the Royal Danish Army, their home base is the strategic Aalborg Air Base. Birthed in the era of 1961, this elite force was initially envisioned as a long-range reconnaissance patrol unit (LRRP).
The journey to earn the esteemed Jaeger insignia is nothing short of grueling.
In the realm of elite forces, the Jaeger Corps epitomizes the art of being unseen yet unforgettable, a symbol of Denmark's unwavering commitment to defense.
Aspirants are taken through a crucible of physical stamina and mental fortitude tests, with an emphasis on sharpening their marksmanship, close combat skills, and wilderness survival techniques.
Embodying their mantra “Plus Esse Quam Simultatur” – “Rather to be, than to be seen”, the Jaeger Corps operates in the shadows, yet their reputation shines globally, placing them amongst the world’s most elite special forces.
Their expertise is not just in training but is battle-tested, with their valor echoing through various historical engagements, including the tense days of the Cold War.
French Army Special Forces Brigade
The BFST, or Brigade de Forces Speciales Terre, as they’re known in French, is so secretive that not much information is available on their selection process and training.
In the world of special forces, BFST stands as a symbol of French precision and versatility, their silent presence a testament to their formidable prowess.
What is known is that they are divided into three units: The Bayonne-based 1er RPIMa, a highly skilled and experienced unit, specialized in counter-terrorism and patrol operations (amphibious, jungle, mountain or motorized); the 13e RDP, the French Army’s Long Range Recon Patrol, which is subdivided into seven squadrons, three tasked with intelligence gathering, two head up long-range communications and the last two are training squadrons; and the 4e RHFS is responsible for providing air transportation and support anywhere in the world to France’s Special Forces.
Pakistan Special Service Group
The 7,000-strong “Black Storks”, as the SSG is known, have been active since 1956 and are charged with a wide range of missions from unconventional warfare to hostage rescue and counter-terrorism, and more.
SSG, a formidable force, stands as Pakistan's vanguard against threats, encompassing the spirit of unconventional warfare, hostage rescue, and counter-terrorism.
Recruits are selected from the armed forces after having served at least three years, and then go on the SSG’s 8-month training program that includes physical training, a four-week airborne training course and hand-to-hand combat, among others.
Successful completion of the training grants soldiers the privilege of wearing their commando wings and shouting out loud the unit’s motto: “Fear is no policy and surrender is no option.”
Real-life superheroes, making the impossible routine
In the high-stakes world of special forces, where acronyms are as abundant as daring exploits and where the training regimens make a CrossFit class look like a toddler’s playdate.
From the SAS’s counter-espionage prowess to the SSG’s “no surrender” mantra, these elite units are the real-world Avengers—minus the capes and plus a lot more camo.
So when in the future you’re impressed by a Hollywood action hero, just remember: somewhere out there is a special forces operative who thinks that’s cute.
Here’s to the acronym-loving, real-life superheroes who make the impossible look like just another Tuesday.
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