Special Forces Command (Switzerland)

The Special Forces Command (German: Kommando Spezialkräfte) is an infantry corps of the Swiss Armed Forces specialised in rapid offensive operations, intel gathering and operations in urban areas, open fields and other difficult terrains, capable of acting on short notice.[3] 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.[4]

Special Forces Command
Active	2012–present
Country	Switzerland
Branch	Army
Type	Special Operations Command
Size	2,445[1]
Part of	Swiss Armed Forces[2]
Garrison/HQ	Monteceneri[2]

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.[2] The Grenadiers' motto, shared with many other military institutions and most famously with the US Marines, is "Semper Fidelis".[5]

History

Grenadier taking part in the Swiss raid commando competition

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.[6] 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 combat technique in the shooting schools of Walenstadt. This company, made up of volunteers, faced a stricter and more intensive training than other infantry companies.[7]

In 1943, General Henri Guisan, convinced of the necessity of shock troops specially trained for close combat, 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.[8] 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.[9]

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.[10] In the 1970s, the guerrilla tactics first introduced in 1943 were resumed and adapted with the name of "hunting war" (German: Jagdkrieg).[11] The Army XXI reform of 2004 reassembled all Grenadier formations of the previous "Army 95" model in the Grenadier Command 1.[2]

Structure

The Special Forces Command is an infantry formation of about 3,000 soldiers and consists of the following units:[12]

Badge	Unit	Place	Subunites
	Special Forces Command Staff Battalion	Monteceneri	Staff Company Security Company CSS Company Grenadier Support Company
	Special Forces Training Centre	Isone
	Army Reconnaissance Detachment 10 (Professional Unit)	Monteceneri
	Military Police Special Detachment (Professional Unit)	Worblaufen
	Parachute Reconnaissance Company 17 (Militia Unit)	Isone
	Grenadier Battalion 20 (Militia Unit)	Isone	Grenadier Staff Company 3 × Grenadier companies Grenadier Reconnaissance Company Grenadier Support Company
	Grenadier Battalion 30 (Militia Unit)	Isone	Grenadier Staff Company 3 × Grenadier companies Grenadier Reconnaissance Company Grenadier Support Company

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 are subjected to comprehensive medical and psychological tests.[13]

Recruit school, extending over a period of 23 weeks, is very demanding, both physically and psychologically. Those who, during the first 11 weeks, prove incapable of the necessary performances, are moved to other incorporations.[14] Training for NCOs and officers begins after 9 weeks of recruit school, who undertake respectively 41 and 56 additional weeks of grade-specific training.[15]

Additional courses offered to recruits include basic training of shotguns (notably the Remington 870, which is designated as MzGw 91, Mehrzweckgewehr 91) and for marksmen/snipers (for the 8.6 mm Sako TRG) (SSGw 04, Scharfschützengewehr 04) and 12.7 mm PGM Hecate II rifle 12.7mm PGw 04 (12.7 mm Präzisionsgewehr 04 ) and survival techniques.[16]

References

1. "Neue Armeeauszählung liegt vor" (in German). Schweizer Armee. 2019-09-18.
2. "Commandement Grenadiers 1". Swiss Land Forces. Archived from the original on 4 May 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
3. "Bat Gren". Swiss Land Forces. Archived from the original on 15 June 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
4. "Detailseite Job". Swiss Land Forces. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
5. "Culture". Swiss Land Forces. Archived from the original on 7 August 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
6. "Histoire". Swiss Land Forces. Archived from the original on 7 August 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
7. "Les débuts (1940 - 1942)". Swiss Land Forces. Archived from the original on 8 October 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
8. "La naissance des grenadiers (1943)". Swiss Land Forces. Archived from the original on 8 October 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
9. "Losone (1951 - 1973)". Swiss Land Forces. Archived from the original on 5 August 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
10. "Principales nouveautés (1950 & 1960)". Swiss Land Forces. Archived from the original on 8 October 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
11. "Isone (dès 1973)". Swiss Land Forces. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
12. "Kommando Spezialkräfte". Swiss Army. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
13. "Recrutement et examens d'aptitude". Swiss Land Forces. Archived from the original on 29 October 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
14. "Ecole de recrues et selection". Swiss Land Forces. Archived from the original on 23 May 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
15. "Ecoles de cadres". Swiss Land Forces. Archived from the original on 19 July 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
16. "Cours". Swiss Land Forces. Archived from the original on 28 August 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.

External links

• Special Forces Command (SFC)