The Commando Training Centre

The Commando Training Centre is situated along the river Meuse at about 6 km from the town of Namur and is surrounded by straight 80 m high rocks. The presence of rocks and of the river offers a very favorable site to the special commando training: climbing techniques, navigation, clearing of obstacles and crossing of rivers. The proximity of the wooded and hilly Ardennes makes it also easier to organise commando tactical exercises and raids.

The Marche-les-Dames training area includes in fact two very distinct quarters:

• the Lieutenant-general Roman quarter, gathered around the Arenberg castle
• the Wartet quarter on the northern heights of the river Meuse

About 170 men are part of the permanent executive unit, but para-commando candidates and training participants added, the total strength amounts to 420 men.

Organisation

The Commando Training Centre is composed of 4 companies:

• the Instruction Company is in charge of the basic military instruction for troops, with tactical, technical and physical training (4 months)
• the School Company is responsible for:
  • para-commando instruction for officers and non-commissioned officers (4months)
  • sniper course (6weeks)
  • sniper instructor course (6 weeks)
  • camouflage course (1week)
• the Camp Company is charged with:
  • A-level commando course (4 weeks)
  • B-level commando course (3 weeks)
  • assistant commando course and commando instructor course (8 weeks)
  • Mountain leader (5 weeks)
  • close combat instructor
  • junior commando course (1 week)
  • adventure training (1 week)
• the Staff and Services Company takes care of administration, logistics, support and reinforcements

Missions

Primary missions:

• basic para-commando instruction for soldiers, non-commissioned officers and officers
• A and B level commando courses
• adventure training
• physical tests for candidates
• specialised commando courses

Secondary missions

• Para-Commando Brigade reserve for any missions
• support mountainous and amphibious training
• prospect for specialised equipment
• support training foreign units
• public relations by para-commando initiation, junior commando camps and demonstrations

Miscellaneous:

• the town of Bouillon in the Ardennes is the Centre's Godmother
• the Centre sponsors CYCLOCOEUR, a club favouring cycle-tourism on tandems for eyesight disabled persons

History

The Belgian commando troops were created in 1942 in England and trained in the famous Commando Training Centre of Achnacarry in Scotland.   During WO II, they took part in some operations such as the campaign for Italy and the battle of Walcheren Island.  In 1945, they took their quarters in Marche-les-Dames where they found all obstacles a commando needs: cliffs, water and woods.  In 1947, on request of the Commando Regiment, the Training Centre for Commandos was created at the same place and tasked with the commando instruction.  In 1953, The Commando and the Parachutist Regiments merged into the Para-Commando Regiment with the same training for both troops.  In 1979, the Training Centre for Commandos was charged with the basic military instruction of all Para-Commando candidates; soldiers, non-commissioned officers and officers.

To date were awarded:

• 30630 A Commando certificates (since 1947)
•   7361 B Commando certificates (since 1950)
•     402 Mountain Leader certificates (since 1968)
•     344 Commando Instructor certificates (since 1987)
•     613 Commando Assistant-Instructor certificates (since 1974)
•     423 Fight Stretcher Bearer certificates (since 1980)
•       16 Close Combat without Firearms Assistant-Instructor certificates
•     131 Close Combat without Firearms Instructor certificates

The Centre has inherited the traditions and the Standard of the former 4th Commando Battalion. The Standard bears following citations: Yugoslavia, Italy, and Walcheren.

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