The
Para-Commando Brigade
Belgian Army
http://mil.be
In
order to obtain the para and commando qualification, candidates
have to:
- be medically fit
- succeed in a preliminary
test
- be destined to
occupy a function within a para-commando unit
Preliminary
tests
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To be admitted to the para-commando instruction each candidate has
to succeed in the preliminary test. Before taking the test the candidates
undergo a medical examination at the Para-Commando Medical Centre.
The preliminary test
consist of:
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Test |
Arms:
Hanging from a bar, pull up with the chin over the bar |
Abdominal exercise:
- dorsal position,
hands behind the neck, feet firm on the ground, knees bent,
bend the body forward (nose touching the knees)
- hanging
from a bar, bring the feet up against the bar
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Rope-climbing:
3 meters up, method is free, slow descent |
Balance:
Move along a discontinuous beam, 3 meters high |
Audacity:
Jump towards a pole |
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Endurance:
Running 2400 meters |
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minimum number or maximum time |
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5 |
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1 |
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1 |
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1 |
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1 |
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13 minutes |
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| Remarks:
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- the balance test
and the audacity test are linked and lead to the jump towards
the pole
- failing one of
the tests leads to exclusion
Civilians and military
undergo the same tests and are assigned the same quotas.
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Basic instruction
During a four month
stay at the Commando Training Centre, candidates undergo basic para-commando
instruction in order to develop:
- physical condition
- character
- professional qualities
Candidates showing
the required character and professional skills can start the actual
commando course but undergoes another preliminary test, consisting
of:
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- the complete obstacle
course in under 4 minutes 30
- the complete rope
course in under 2 minutes 30
- 200 meters man-carrying
in 100 seconds
- a speed march
of 16 kilometres in under 120 minutes
- 50 meters of swimming
in combat gear
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| The
commando instruction |
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| The
1 month commando instruction provides elementary and specialised training
and techniques for moving through difficult grounds by day as well
as by night. Physical, charcter and professional qualities are improved.
At the end of this
course, the candidates that succeeded obtain the "A" commando
qualification and a green or red beret depending on the unit they
are assigned to. |
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| The
parachutist training
During the 1 month
parachutist training, candidates are taught to execute operational
parachute jumps and are instructed on air transportation and air
supply techniques. Parachute instruction comprises: |
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- six days of ground
training
- a total of eight
jumps:
- 4 from a balloon
- 1 with full
equipment
- 1 by night
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| At
the end of the parachutist training and after having executed
the necessary jumps, the candidate obtains the "A" para
qualification.
Upon arrival in the
unit specialised training focuses on working within a para-commando
section.
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