101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion

The 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion, known as the Sea Dragon Frogmen, is an elite special operations unit of the Republic of China Army.

101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion
Active1949-Present
CountryTaiwan
BranchRepublic of China Army
TypeSpecial operations force
RoleSpecial operations
Direct action
Counter-terrorism
Special reconnaissance
Unconventional Warfare
Nickname(s)Sea Dragon Frogmen or Frogmen
Sea Dragon Frogmen practice small boat drills in an indoor training center
ROCA Frogmen Stand on the stairs of the National Concert Hall

Overview

The members of the 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion are commonly known as Sea Dragon Frogmen. The unit specializes in underwater, amphibious, and coastal reconnaissance operations.[1][2]

They have a role analogous to that of the US Navy Seals. Along with other Taiwanese special operations forces they are expected to play a key role in any conflict with China.[1]

History

The 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion was founded in 1949 with Americas assistance as a special purpose coastal surveillance, infiltration, and covert operations unit.[2]

Unit members received a pay raise in 2017.[3]

In 2019 the MoD commenced construction on two new bases on Kinmen and Penghu to support rapid deployments by the 101st.[4]

In 2020 the US Army 1st Special Forces Group released a video which showed themselves practicing with the 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion in Taiwan.[1]

Training

Applicants undergoe a 15 week training course known as “the iron-man road”[2] which follows a five day qualification course.[5] Only twenty percent of applicants make it through training. Inducted recruits receive their unit badge pinned to their bare chest.[2]

See also

References
  1. Trevithick, Joseph. "Army Releases Ultra Rare Video Showing Green Berets Training In Taiwan". www.thedrive.com. The Drive. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  2. Charlier, Phillip. "Army Sea Dragons receive badges of honor pinned to their chests". taiwanenglishnews.com. Taiwan English News. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  3. Tien-pin, Lo; Chin, Jonathan. "Pay raise for more military units". www.taipeitimes.com. Taipei Times. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  4. DeAeth, Duncan. "Taiwan plans new forward bases for Army Frogmen on Kinmen and Penghu". www.taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  5. "Fit for duty". taiwantoday.tw. Taiwan Today. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
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