GGK
train a lot with the Indonesian Kopassus
as their base is less than one hour by helicopter
across the Straits of Malacca from Sungai
Udang. The GGK and Kopassus enjoy a close
relationship. GGK also trains with SAS (UK
/ New Zealand), SASR (Australia) as well
as US Army's 1st Special Forces Group (1st
Bn, Okinawa) and USMC's Force Recon units.
1 Bn / 1 SFG usually drops by a few times
a year and they are well liked.
Basic
commando course
are divided into several phase : Camp Training,
Jungle Training, Swamp Training & Long
Range March, Sea Training and E & E
(Escape & Evasion).
Camp
Training
Organized
in 5 weeks, this phase is actually the most
important level to test and develop individual
physical & mental resistant. Physical,
weapons, explosive, tactical & stratagem
(muslihat), field medical, rappelling /
abseiling and map reading is among the exercises
conducted. The trainees are also required
to undergo several series of long range
march with full combat load. Range will
be increase from 4.8km, 8km, 11.2km, 14km
to 16km respectively. Usually, some of the
trainees failed to arrive to designated
checkpoint within the stipulated time and
they will be sent back to their original
unit or other services ("turun skot"
- according to the Army's lingo).
Jungle
Training
This
2 week jungle training is a favorite among
the trainees. This is where the trainees
will be exposed to practical training, field
skills & know-how such as guarding &
patrolling, establishing base, survival
and section / troop combat.
Swamp
Training & Long Range March
In
this phase, all trainees are subject to
undergo a tough combat march along with
their 15kg pack (130km in just 1 and a half
day!!). Those who succeeded, will continue
to live in the swampy area for 7 days without
food supply or proper clothing (they wear
only their underwear) . They will practice
all survival lessons here.
Sea
Training
The
sea training is conducted in 2 weeks, where
the trainees are exposed to practical exercises
such as small craft navigation, long range
/ silence rowing and coastal attack using
high-speed inflatable boats and kayaks.
After completing the 'curriculum', they
will travel 160km along the Straits of Malacca
using kayaks.
Escape
& Evasion (E&E)
All
trainees are deployed in groups and they
must report to several agents at designated
checkpoints. They must know how to contact
their agents and evade from the "enemy"
who controls that area. If they are caught,
they will be tortured and
abused. The trainees will
then be released and continue their journey
until they arrive at the last checkpoint.
