1st Commando Regiment (Australia)

1st Commando Regiment
1st Commando Regiment cap badge
Active	1981–Present
Country	Australia
Branch	Australian Army Reserve
Type	Special Forces
Role	Special Operations
Size	One regiment Two commando companies
Part of	Special Operations Command
Garrison/HQ	Sydney and Melbourne
Motto(s)	"Strike Swiftly"
Engagements	Afghanistan
Commanders
Notable commanders	William Mac Grant Phillip Bennett Martin Hamilton-Smith
Insignia
Unit Colour Patch
Abbreviation	1 Cdo Regt

The 1st Commando Regiment is an elite Australian Army Reserve unit part of Special Operations Command with an integrated structure of regular (full-time) soldiers and reserve (part-time) soldiers, which together with the full-time Australian Army 2nd Commando Regiment, provides the Commando capability to Special Operations Command. Raised in 1955 it is the oldest unit within Special Operations Command and in 2008 deployed to Afghanistan to become the first Australian Army Reserve force element on combat operations since World War II.

The primary role of 1st Commando Regiment (1 Cdo Regt) is to provide a scalable and deployable mission command headquarters to Special Operations Command. In addition, the Regiment is manned, trained and equipped to provide commando force elements up to a company size, as well as providing high quality, competent individual commandos to round out, reinforce and rotate with 2nd Commando Regiment.

Role

The Regiment provides Special Operations Commando with three key outputs: a scalable and deployable Command Control Communication and Intelligence (C3I) node, known as the Joint Special Operations Task Force - Light (JSOTF-L); Round-out, Reinforcement and Rotation (R3) for Special Operations Command; and a contingency response, based upon the collective Commando and specialist capabilities organic to 1 Cdo Regt.

Over the past decade, combat operations and the evolution of the commando role has changed the character of the 1st Commando Regiment. Changes were introduced to reserve training following combat operations, to align training standards with the full-time 2nd Commando Regiment, and to provide a higher level of readiness for the Regiment, however, this affected recruitment due to the long full-time commitment and is now optional.

History

Post World War II – 'the beginning'

World War II Commandos

The term Commando is derived from the South African/Dutch word used by the Boers identifying their irregular sized raiding forces employed against the British during the South African Wars. The term commando was adopted by newly formed British raiding forces during World War II, and subsequently used by Australian special units raised to fight in the South-west Pacific and Indian oceans.

By the close of World War II Australian special forces included the Independent Companies (later Commando Squadrons) and Special Operations Australia (or the Services Reconnaissance Department – M and Z special units). The enviable record they achieved on active service had confirmed to all at the time the effectiveness of unconventional warfare.

Having disbanded all wartime special units it was deemed necessary to maintain the techniques and skills developed during the war. As a result on 12 November 1954 Army Headquarters issued the authority, two citizen military force (reserve) commando companies were raised in 1955, 1st Commando Company in Sydney and 2nd Commando Company in Melbourne commanded by regular army officers. The established strength of the new commando companies was to be 265 all ranks, consisting of one major, five captains (three of them platoon commanders), six sergeants and 241 other ranks. This establishment was very similar to the Independent Companies of World War II.

1st Commando Company was raised in New South Wales on 24 February 1955 however the Officer Commanding Major William Harold (Mac) Grant, decided that the official birthday would be their first parade on 25 June 1955. 2nd Commando Company was raised in Victoria on 24 February 1955 commanded by Major Peter Seddon and first paraded on 7 July 1955. Seddon was appointed for only 12 months with his successor to be Major Jack Anderson.

File:Unarmed combat training.jpg

Unarmed combat training

In October 1955, Major Grant with Major Jack Anderson, OC designate 2nd Commando Company, and Warrant Officers Smith and Tarr travelled to the United Kingdom to train with the Royal Marine Commandos. Warrant Officers Smith and Tarr became training instructors. Major Anderson was killed during the last week of the basic commando course and was replaced by Major John Hutcheson. Also in October 1955, two Royal Marine Commandos sergeants travelled to Australia each appointed to a commando company.

In 1957, as the unit already had the designation "1st" within its title, the Army thought it would be a convenient framework on which to re-form the Australian Imperial Force's 1st Battalion. So on 1 December 1957 the unit was re-designated the 1st Infantry Battalion (Commando), until July 1960 when the unit was renamed the 1st Battalion, The Royal New South Wales Regiment (Commando), City of Sydney's Own Regiment. Finally in March 1973 the unit name at last changed back to the former designation of 1st Commando Company. In early 1958 1st Commando Company provided the initial Special Forces training for the recently formed 1st Special Air Service Company, the Royal Australian Regiment.

On the evening of 17 February 1960, 74 commandos from 2 Commando Company set off in kayaks, amphibious DUKW (ducks) and zodiacs on a training exercise from Point Lonsdale to Point Nepean in Victoria simulating a raid on the officer cadet school which involved them crossing the infamous Rip at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay. The weather changed without warning and the watercraft were swept out to sea through the Port Phillip heads encountering massive seas that capsized most watercraft. Nearly all commandos were rescued except three who drowned.

301st and 126th Signal Squadrons

The requirement for long-range communications can be traced back to WWII and units such as Coastwatchers, New Guinea Air Warning Wireless Company, the Independent Companies, and Special Operations Australia. In 1958 a decision was made to raise No 1 Independent Signals Squadron to support clandestine operations and this led to the formation of 301st Signal Squadron in 1960 at Lidcombe, New South Wales. This new squadron was to meet the requirement for 'special communications' and was charged with the responsibility of providing long-range communications for commando type operations. In 1965, 301st Signal Squadron was re-designated 126th Signal Squadron (Special Forces) and subsequently relocated in 1966 to Albert Park, Victoria and in 1972 to Simpson Barracks in Watsonia, Victoria.

Malaya, Borneo and Vietnam

File:Commando signalman.jpg

Commando signalman – Afghanistan

Prior to formation as a Regiment, the sub units deployed individuals and small teams to the Malayan War, the Borneo Confrontation and the Vietnam War. During the Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation, Sergeant Ted Blacker of 126th Signal Squadron (Special Forces) was awarded the British Empire Medal. From 1965 the Commando Companies contributed numerous instructors, including from their reserve part-time component, to the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV). Two lost their lives with the AATTV, with Warrant Officer Class II John Durrington being killed in action, and Warrant Officer Class II Ron Scott dying of wounds. Whilst serving with the AATTV, Warrant Officer Class II Ray Simpson, formerly from both the Special Air Service Regiment and the 1st Commando Company, was awarded the Victoria Cross for an action in the Kontum Province on 6 May 1969.

Regimental Headquarters

All sub-units operated independently, training Army Reserve commandos and Special Forces signalers until 1981 when it was determined a regimental headquarters was required. This headquarters would coordinate the efforts of the previously independent units and provide the east coast command element for the newly established counter-terrorist capability within the Special Air Service Regiment. The headquarters was established on 1 February 1981 at Randwick, NSW where it remains today.

In 1991, a commando who had joined the UK Special Air Service was in the well-known Bravo Two Zero patrol in Iraq as part of Operation Desert Storm. Commencing in February 1997, 1st Commando Regiment provided the initial training for the re-role of the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment from an infantry battalion into a commando unit. In April 1997, three female Army Reserve officers, attached to the Regiment in support roles, completed the commando officer selection course, and other specialist courses, to become the first women to be awarded a Green beret.

In 2000, 126th Signal Squadron returned to New South Wales now under command of the 4th Battalion (Commando), Royal Australian Regiment (later renamed 2nd Commando Regiment) in Holsworthy. As a consequence, 301st Signal Squadron was re-raised in Randwick, New South Wales in 1999 to provide signals support to the 1st Commando Regiment.

Recent operations

In recent years, the Regiment has frequently deployed on operations, providing small detachments and individuals to peacekeeping missions in the region and deployed operationally in up to company sized combat elements to Afghanistan.

File:Commandos board CH47.jpg

Commandos board CH47 in Afghanistan

Deployments in the region, include Bougainville as unarmed monitors as part of Operation BEL ISI, Timor Leste (East Timor) as peacekeepers in 2001 as part of UNTAET providing a substantial reinforcement to the 4th Battalion (Commando), Royal Australian Regiment and Solomon Islands in 2003 as part of RAMSI providing peacekeeping teams to support operations.

In May 2006, Special Operations Command deployed to Timor Leste as peacekeepers in Operation Astute with a Special Operations Task Group to conduct special recovery and evacuation operations. Post the extraction of the initial Task Group, the special operations component in Timor Leste was reduced – often commanded by a member of the 1st Commando Regiment and the force element supplemented by 1st Commando Regiment teams.

In March 2007, the Task Group was bolstered to form an Apprehension Task Force with the purpose of apprehending ex-Timorese Army Major and rebel leader, Alfredo Reinado, at the request of the President of Timor Leste. Reinado was eventually located in the village of Same. Following negotiations between the Timor Leste government and the rebels, the decision was made to detain Reinado by force. Reinado evaded capture but five of his men were killed in the battle. For the members of the 1st Commando Regiment who participated in this Special Operations Task Group mission the battle was the first combat seen by the unit (at greater than individual level).

In 2008, the Regiment's operational commitment took a step further with the deployment of an entire Commando Company Group to the Special Operations Task Group in Afghanistan as part of Operation Slipper. This constituted the first deployment of an Army Reserve force element on combat operations since WWII and the Regiment continued to support this operational commitment with similar deployments the following year.

The role of the commando company in Afghanistan was to conduct offensive operations deep within enemy safe havens to provide security to both coalition forces and the people of Afghanistan. This was achieved through intelligence led direct action missions to disrupt and destroy enemy forces within known insurgent strong holds.

The unit suffered its first combat fatality in 2009, with Private Gregory Sher killed by a rocket attack in Oruzgan province, on 4 January. Lieutenant Michael Fussell was killed in action whilst serving with the 1st Commando Regiment company group several weeks before on 24 November 2008, but was still posted to his parent unit of 4RAR (Cdo).

The Regiment received considerable publicity in 2009 when members of the unit were engaged by Taliban insurgents on the night of 12 February and 5 Afghan civilians were killed during the ensuing firefight. The Australian Director of Military Prosecutions, Brigadier Lyn McDade, decided to charge two soldiers of the Regiment with manslaughter as a result of an investigation into the engagement. The charges were dropped in a pre-trial hearing and the two men fully exonerated.

The Regiment served in Special Operations Task Group Rotations:- Eight, Nine, Eleven, Fourteen, Eighteen and Twenty.

Customs and traditions

The Sherwood Green Commando beret is worn as the primary form of head dress, formally recognising Commando qualification. The Sherwood Green beret was adopted in 1956 due to the close association with the British Army and Marine Commandos of WWII. The first one being awarded in Australia to Captain George Cardy of 1st Commando Company on 14 July 1956.

The regimental badge features a silver WWII era Australian fighting knife surmounted by a gold boomerang engraved with the regimental motto ‘Strike Swiftly’. The motto was conceived by Major Grant (OC 1 Cdo Coy) and agreed to by Major Seddon (OC 2 Cdo Coy). The badge was a combination of two proposals from a competition, one from Melbourne and one from Sydney, conceived by Major Grant with agreement from Major Seddon.

Members wear a Garter Blue lanyard on the left shoulder of dress uniforms in common with the other combat units of SOCOMD. In 1992 distinctive black and green commando parachute wings were adopted and are now worn by all parachute qualified commandos.

While there is no direct lineage to the 1st Battalion, AIF (other than in 1 Commando Company’s renaming to the 1st Battalion (Commando)) the regiment retains the colours of the Battalion’s WWI colour patch – black over green. This is most obvious in the current 1st Commando Regiment flag.

Organisation

File:Commando Surveillance and Reconnaissance Vehicle SF.jpg

Surveillance Reconnaissance Vehicle (SRV) in Afghanistan

The Regiment consists of a headquarters, two commando companies and a signals squadron. It is believed to be currently organised as follows:

• Regimental Headquarters located at Randwick, New South Wales
• 1 Commando Company (1 Cdo Coy) located in HMAS Penguin at Balmoral, New South Wales
• 2 Commando Company (2 Cdo Coy) located in the historic Fort Gellibrand at Williamstown, Victoria
• 301 Signal Squadron (301 Sig Sqn) headquarters at Randwick and elements of the squadron are located with 1 Cdo Coy and 2 Cdo Coy

The building block of the Regiment is the six man commando team. Combat elements of the Regiment typically operate in platoon to company sized force elements. These will be force tailored by requirement and may not fit any doctrinal size or command and control. The commando companies are made up of a headquarters, two commando platoons, a signals troop, sniper, reconnaissance, and mortar elements, and integral combat service support.

Reserve support roles include clerical, logistics, transport, medical, intelligence, linguistics and information systems.

The Regiment manages the Swan Island Army Detachment (SIAD) on Swan Island in Victoria with training activities classified.

Equipment

1st Commando Regiment is equipped with a range of weapon systems that allows it to tailor requirements based on mission needs. These include the M4A1 5.56mm carbine and Heckler & Koch USP 9mm pistol as primary weapons. Specialist weapons include the Heckler & Koch HK417 7.62mm rifle, Heckler & Koch MP5SD silenced submachine gun, Accuracy International SR98 7.62mm sniper rifle and Barrett M82 12.7mm sniper rifle. Support weapons include the Para Minimi 5.56mm light machine gun, MAG 58 7.62mm medium machine gun, M2HB QCB 12.7mm heavy machine gun, M3 Carl Gustav anti-tank rifle, Mk 19 automatic grenade launcher, Javelin anti-tank weapon and mortars.

The primary commando watercraft is the Zodiac F470 inflatable boat with the specialist folding kayaks available. Vehicles used include the Land Rover Surveillance Reconnaissance Vehicle 4x4 and Polaris 4x4 and 6x6 all-terrain vehicles. Various static line and free-fall parachutes are available including the T10/T11/MC1/MC5.

Recruitment

File:Special Operations Task Group - Afghanistan.jpg

A Commando in Afghanistan

1st Commando Regiment is the only reserve Special Operations Command combat unit providing Army Reserve soldiers based in Eastern states of Australia with the opportunity to serve in a Commando unit. Additionally, the Regiment provides discharging full-time 2nd Commando Regiment and Special Air Service Regiment soldiers the opportunity to continue to serve in Special Operations Command in a reserve capacity on their return to civilian life.

The Regiment's full-time component traditionally consisted mainly of West Australian based Special Air Service Regiment soldiers who transferred to the regiment for promotion opportunities and who would later return to their unit or soldiers who transferred to relocate to New South Wales or Victoria. After the raising of 2nd Commando Regiment, the full-time component today consists of former 2nd Commando Regiment and Special Air Service Regiment soldiers.

Changes introduced to reserve training after combat operations in Afghanistan, required candidates to complete the 332 day continuous full-time Commando Initial Employment Training course the same as their full-time 2nd Commando Regiment counterparts. However, this provided reserve candidates with the opportunity to consider full-time Australian Army service in the 2nd Commando Regiment with many candidates destined for the Regiment instead choosing full-time service. Also, the long full-time commitment discouraged reservists from considering joining the Regiment.

In 2015, the Regiment begun its biggest reserve recruitment drive in over 10 years. A training regime similar to prior to Afghanistan operations, was introduced with candidates after completing the selection course posted to the Regiment and given a three-year term to complete training.

The Regiment is also re-raising training platoons in each of the commando companies to host Army Reserve aspirants training for selection who will parade under their current corps and trade to complete the Special Forces Reserve Training Program over 12 months (based on the 12 week full-time Accelerated Infantry Training Course). The Program also includes the 17-week Commando Physical Training Package.

In addition, in 2016 direct civilian recruiting is to recommence with prospective commandos undergoing Reserve Recruit Training Course at Kapooka and Infantry Initial Employment Training at Singleton before parading at the Regiment as a qualified Infantry rifleman in the training platoon the same as serving reservists.

Selection and training

1 Cdo Coy parachute load follow (PLF) airborne insertion with zodiac inflatables at Shoalwater Bay in Exercise Tandem Thrust 2001

Prior to selection, 1st Commando Regiment reserve candidates have over 12 months completed the Special Forces Reserve Training Program, based on the 2nd Commando Regiment Special Forces Direct Recruitment 13 week Special Forces Accelerated Infantry Training Program, including the Commando Fitness Training Package.

The first stage of selection is to successfully pass the 1 day Special Forces Entry Test at the Special Forces Training Centre.

The second stage of selection is successfully completing the full-time Commando Selection Course conducted over 2 weeks. In contrast, 2nd Commando Regiment candidates are required to complete the Commando Selection and Training Course conducted over a 6 week period.

Commando Initial Employment training (also named Reinforcement cycle) commences after successful completion of the Commando Selection Course with candidates given a maximum term of three years to successfully undertake the course. Commando Initial Employment Training consists of the following:-

Special Forces Weapons Course, Advanced Close Quarter Battle Course, Commando Team Tactics Course, Commando Urban Operations Course, Close Quarter Fighting Course, Commando Demolitions and Breaching Course, Special Forces Basic Parachute Course (including water insertion training), Commando Amphibious Operators Course, Special Forces Military Roping Course, and Combat First Aiders or Special Forces Signal Course.

Candidates have the option of completing the Reinforcement cycle over 11 months full-time training with their 2nd Commando Regiment counterparts, with additional courses of Commando Vehicle Operators Course and Advanced Marksmanship Course.

After the successfully completion of the Commando Initial Employment Training, the coveted Green beret is awarded and reservists will report to the Regiment on a frequent basis to maintain their skills.

As a qualified Commando there are specialist courses available to complete, including but not limited to:-

Advanced Driving skills, Mortar Operator, Cold weather / Mountaineering Operator, Language training and Free Fall Parachuting.

Further reading

• Collins, Peter (2005). Strike swiftly : the Australian commando story. Sydney: Watermark Press. ISBN 094928470X.
• Higgins, Barry John (1995). Strike swiftly : 40 years of 2 commando company, 1955 to 1995. Traralgon, Vic. ISBN 0646222082.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
• Mullins, Nathan (2011). Keep your head down. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 9781742377940.

External links

• http://www.commandotrust.com
• http://www.austcdoassocvic.com