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Special Forces Command
Special Forces Command
	Badge
Active	2012–present
Country	Switzerland
Branch	Army
Type	Special operations force
Size	2,445
Part of	Swiss Armed Forces
Garrison/HQ	Monteceneri

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]

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, is "Semper Fidelis".^[5]

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.^[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]

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	Command Staff Platoon 6 × Parachute Reconnaissance Patrols
Grenadier Battalion 20 (Militia Unit)	Isone	Grenadier Staff Company 3 × Grenadier Assault Companies Grenadier Reconnaissance Company Grenadier Support Company
Grenadier Battalion 30 (Militia Unit)	Isone	Grenadier Staff Company 3 × Grenadier Assault 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 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.^[13]

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 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 Hécate II rifle 12.7mm PGw 04 (12.7 mm Präzisionsgewehr 04 ) and survival techniques.^[14]

Other than most militia units of the Swiss Armed Forces are issued a Glock 17 instead of the standard issued Assault Rifle known as the Sturmgewehr 90.

The Grenadiers will also be issued with plate carriers to replace their LBE gear.^[15]

References

^ "Neue Armeeauszählung liegt vor" (in German). Schweizer Armee. 2019-09-18.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Commandement Grenadiers 1". Swiss Land Forces. Archived from the original on 4 May 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
^ "Bat Gren". Swiss Land Forces. Archived from the original on 15 June 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
^ "Detailseite Job". Swiss Land Forces. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
^ "Culture". Swiss Land Forces. Archived from the original on 7 August 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
^ "Histoire". Swiss Land Forces. Archived from the original on 7 August 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
^ "Les débuts (1940 - 1942)". Swiss Land Forces. Archived from the original on 8 October 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
^ "La naissance des grenadiers (1943)". Swiss Land Forces. Archived from the original on 8 October 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
^ "Losone (1951 - 1973)". Swiss Land Forces. Archived from the original on 5 August 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
^ "Principales nouveautés (1950 & 1960)". Swiss Land Forces. Archived from the original on 8 October 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
^ "Isone (dès 1973)". Swiss Land Forces. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
^ "Kommando Spezialkräfte". Swiss Army. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
^ "Recrutement et examens d'aptitude". Swiss Land Forces. Archived from the original on 29 October 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
^ "Cours". Swiss Land Forces. Archived from the original on 28 August 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
^ "Swiss SOF (Pt. 2): Train as You (Would) Fight". 13 April 2015.