Shalini

Every country has its own Special Forces (SF) and Special Operation Forces (SOF) with special functions which include airborne operations, counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism, foreign internal defense, covert ops, high-value targets/manhunt, intelligence operations, direct action, hostage rescue, mobility operations and unconventional warfare. One such force is the MARCOS. In the list of most powerful militaries in the world, India ranks at No. 4. Much credit can be given to the Marine Commandos who can stand against any deadly mission.

Who are MARCOS?

The MARCOS is an abbreviation of Marine Commandos is the special force unit of the Indian Navy. Founded in 1987, the MARCOS, formerly called the Indian Maritime Special Force (IMSF) is capable of operating in all types of environments; at sea, in the air, and on land.

They specialized in amphibious warfare, counter-terrorism, unconventional warfare, rescue operations, etc. They have taken part in many operations. Operation Pawan (1987), Operation Cactus (1988), Operation Tasha (1991), and Kargil War (1999) are a few to name. They are also known for their action in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

The motto of MARCOS is

“THE FEW THE FEARLESS ”

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History of MARCOS

The Indian military established a diving school at Cochin in 1955, with the help of the British Special Boat Service. They began teaching combat divers skills such as explosive disposal, salvage diving, and clearance. But during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the combat divers failed to achieve their expected outcomes as they lacked adequate training for sabotage missions.

During the war, the Indian Navy aided the Indian Army in landing operations in Cox’s Bazar against the Pakistani military base. When the war came to an end, army units were often prepared for amphibious exercises. The Indian Army formation known as the 340th Army Independent Brigade was converted into an amphibious assault unit in 1983. In the subsequent years, a series of joint airborne-amphibious exercises were conducted.

The Indian Navy planned to create a special forces unit in April 1986 that would be competent in undertaking missions in a maritime environment. They needed skilled personnel for conducting raids and reconnaissance, and counter-terrorism operations.

Three volunteer officers from the 1955 diving unit were selected and underwent training courses alongside the United States Navy SEALs at Coronado. They also went on training with the Special Boat Service.

With the three officers, the Indian Marine Special Force (IMSF) officially came into existence in February 1987. In 1991, the IMSF was renamed as ‘Marine Commando Force’.

MARCOS during a joint domestic exercise in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. wikipedia

Bases of the Marine Commando Force (MCF)

The MCF presently functions out of the naval bases at the coastal states of India including Mumbai, Goa, Port Blair, Visakhapatnam, and Kochi.

The base where MARCOS was formed was INS Abhimanyu, located in Mumbai. The base, Abhimanyu is a part of the Western Naval Command. It was commissioned on 1 May 1980 but was originally created in 1974.

In 1987, The Indian Marine Special Force (IMSF) was located there. As the garrison & permanent base for the unit, the naval base INS Karna was commissioned near Visakhapatnam on 12 July 2016.

Here’s how you can become a MARCO Officer which has the toughest selection procedure:

Clearing Entrance Exams

To join the Navy, a male cadet needs to be in their early 20s. Clearing exams like INET, NDA, CDS, SSC, etc., or direct recruitment for lower posts can help you to enter the next phase of joining the Indian Navy.

Medical and Fitness Tests

The next phase, which is the selection process, is divided into two parts.

• The first part takes three days during which the cadet’s physical stamina is accessed.
• The second part is the screening or the selection phase, and during this more than half of the applicants get rejected on the basis of their required physical stamina.
• After clearing all the tests and training by showcasing your intelligence and athletic talents in the right manner, you may get a chance to be a candidate for the MARCO.

Indian Navy MARCOS during urban combat training at RIMPAC 2022. wikimedia

Training for MARCO

A two years course for new recruits is set up with the assistance of American British Special Forces. The selected candidates go through four phases to become a fully-qualified Marine Commando.

• The first phase takes place over three days. This three-day-long process will witness an attrition rate between 50% and 80%. Only a few of the candidates successfully clear the challenge and enter the next phase of selection and also participate in ‘Hell Week’ which is explained below.
• Candidates who clear the pre-selection process have to attend the tiring selection process which takes place over five weeks of daunting physical tasks while facing sleep deprivation.

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Some of the tasks that candidates may encounter during this phase include:

• A week of continuous training with over 20 hours each day containing continuous physical exertion. At the end of the week, candidates will be expected to ‘run’ through an 800-meter, thigh-high thick mud-filled route known as the ‘Death Crawl’ carrying a 25 kg load.
• Then complete a 2.5-kilometer obstacle course. Fire at a target, with a fellow candidate standing right beside it, from 25 meters away.
• Candidates will be lucky to receive more than 4 hours of sleep over the week.
• Candidates who successfully clear these Selection courses move to the third phase of training.

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MARCOS advanced SF training

It includes a probationary period for candidates which must be successfully completed. Candidates will join designated ‘Prahars’ for ‘on-the-job’ training.

Even though the training for Special Forces like the MARCOS is very long and tiring and only a few of them get selected for the unit, in the end, all their work gets paid off by carrying out various operations, serving their country, and also getting praised for their work worldwide. Their true patriotism is brightly reflected by their bravery and courage to defend their own country.

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Specialized maritime operations in Jammu and Kashmir through the Jhelum River and Wular Lake are undertaken by the MARCOS regularly to conduct counter-insurgency operations in the region.

The tri-services Armed Forces Special Operations Division also includes some MARCOS units.

The MARCOS are trained in several kinds of weapons and instruments, including crossbows, knives, handguns, sniper rifles, submachine guns, assault rifles, and bare hands. As they are skilled divers, they can reach feisty shores swimming underwater.

All applicants have to be qualified in HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) and HAHO (High Altitude High Opening).

HALO requires one to jump from 11 km above the earth, and the parachute opens when the person is near the ground. HAHO is a jump from 8 km above the earth. The parachute opens 10-15 seconds after the jump.

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MARCOS training also includes

• Basic commando skills including demolitions, martial arts, and endurance training
• Open and closed circuit diving
• Intelligence training
• Airborne training
• Offshore operations
• Operation of submersible craft
• Skydiving
• Operations from submarines
• Counter-terrorism operations
• Techniques of explosive ordnance disposal
• Language training, insertion methods, etc.

MARCOS are capable of para-dropping into sea with full combat load. wikimedia

Also read: 12 Interesting Facts About Paramilitary Forces That Every Indian Should Know About