Korps Commandotroepen

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=Korps Commandotroepen


caption=Uniform shoulder sleeve insignia of the Korps Commandotroepen (depicting a Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife)
dates=March 22, 1942 - Present
country=Netherlands
allegiance=
branch=Army
type=Special Forces/Light Infantry
role=Special Operations Force
size=One battalion
command_structure=
current_commander=
garrison=Roosendaal
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname=
patron=
motto="Nunc aut Nunquam" ("Now or Never")
colors=Black with Dark Green Border
march=
mascot=
battles=
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=March 22The Korps Commandotroepen (KCT) is the elite special operations force of the Royal Netherlands Army. It is one of two of the Netherlands' principal units tasked with Special Operations (the other being the Maritime Special Forces of the Dutch Marine Corps). The KCT is capable of assuming all conceivable missions in the Special Operations spectrum, which also includes counter-terrorism operations overseas, as the unit can deploy its operators anywhere in the world, under any circumstance.

The History of Korps Commandotroepen

World War 2

The roots of the KCT go back to World War 2. Under the name No.2 (Dutch) Troop, the first Dutch commandos were trained in Achnacarry, Scotland, as part of No.10 Inter-allied Commando. The unit was formed on March 22, 1942, the birthday of the present KCT. Its purpose was to conduct special operations, which, at the time, were operations that were considered too complex and too dangerous for conventional military personnel. The unit was disbanded in October 1945, but its members continued fighting in the Dutch East Indies, while others formed the Stormschool (1945-1950), located in Bloemendaal. In 1949, the Stormschool relocated itself to the "Engelbrecht van Nassaukazerne" in Roosendaal, now the home garrison of the present KCT.

Dutch East Indies

Korps Insulinde (1942-1945) was tasked with conducting guerrilla warfare in Sumatra against the Japanese. After the Japanese capitulation, the Korps Insulinde was tasked with the search and rescue of (Dutch) POWs. In November 1945, the unit was disbanded, and its members hooked up with Depot Speciale Troepen and former members of "No.2 (Dutch) Troop" to form the Regiment Speciale Troepen (1945-1950). This new unit was involved in the Indonesian independence wars after WW2. After Indonesia's independence was acknowledged by the Dutch government in 1949, the RST returned to the Netherlands. On 1 July 1950, on parliamentary recommendation, the RST merged with the Stormschool in Roosendaal to form the present Korps Commandotroepen.

The Modern KCT

After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, much has changed. Particular events have shaped the organisation and capacity of the armed forces, and in particular, that of the KCT. With the threat of Cold War belonging to the past, many new conflicts appeared throughout the world. Nowadays, worldwide terrorism has become the biggest threat, and there has been a very big demand for specialist counter-terrorism units, able to operate overseas. To keep up with these demands, the KCT's old role of "Commando Waarnemer-verkenner" (Commando Force Reconnaissance) was replaced by that of the modern and versatile "Commando Speciale Operaties" ("co-spec-ops", or Commando Special Operations).

The KCT switched from a "part conscript, part professional force" to a fully professional unit in 1995. The last conscripts made place for professional operators in 1996, when the Dutch conscription was suspended. From here, the KCT had undergone drastic changes in its structure and operational capability, and with great success. It has grown to a mature, professional and versatile Special Operations Force. And it has built up a considerable reputation. Deployments to Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Iraq and more recently, Afghanistan provided many new insights and knowledge. Successful CT operations in Côte d'Ivoire (2004) and the Middle-East (2006) proved once again that the KCT is an extremely able and versatile unit.

Although remaining in the shadows of big names such as the British Special Air Service (SAS), the German KSK and the US Army Delta Force, it must be said that the KCT is an original and independent, yet very significant counterpart.

Operators of the KCT wear the Green Beret, which is the international trademark of a commando.

Mission

*To prepare and conduct all conceivable missions from the full spectrum of Special Operations;
*To participate simultaneously in two peacekeeping operations with a maximum of four teams each;
*To be self-reliant in combat service support and administration;
*To act as "Doctrine Centre" for Special Operations;
*To provide internal and external training; [ [http://www.korpscommandotroepen.nl/index.php?l=en&p=41 Assignments KCT] ]

Role of Korps Commandotroepen

Korps Commandotroepen is an extremely capable and experienced unit. Knowledge and experience is continuously passed on to the next generation. All significant knowledge and experiences from the Second World War, to those from recent operations, are implemented into the training standards for all KCT operatives. The present KCT conducts all conceivable missions from the full spectrum of Special Operations.

pecial Reconnaissance

The primary task of the Korps Commandotroepen is to conduct covert special reconnaissance operations. Operators gather and report intelligence as they infiltrate deep into enemy territory, observing, monitoring, analysing targets (enemy forces, buildings, infrastructure) and surrounding natural environment. Intelligence that would benefit the main battle force prior to an invasion, or intelligence that would benefit a special operations mission on its own, before initiating direct action.

Direct Action

The second task of the KCT is to conduct so-called direct action (DA): covert offensive actions that are "small in size, conducted violently with surgical precision, in a (very) short amount of time". They come in the form of raids, ambush, and sabotage/demolition, to take out a specific target. This could be specific individuals, structures, weaponry, etc. DA is an unconventional method in warfare, because a specific objective is accomplished quickly and covertly, instead of a mass confrontation in the open, seen in conventional warfare. The ultimate purpose is to bring the enemy force to its knees through deprival, humiliation and sabotage, not necessarily destroying it (as in conventional warfare), though the enemy would still have the ability to fight.

Typical DA tactics:
*capture and destruction of major facilities and key infrastructure;
*sabotage of lines of communication;
*overwhelming the enemy force by surprise with superior firepower, by means of ambush and raids;
*capture and/or release of particular individuals or material.

Direct action during counter-terrorism operations involves a crack CT team that will storm a building or vehicle (airliner, bus, train, ship, etc.) and eliminate anyone that opposes them (anyone carrying a fire-arm and ready to use it). CT teams of the Korps Commandotroepen use discriminate fire, meaning that anyone who points a fire-arm at them will be eliminated.

Military Assistance

The third task of the KCT is to provide Military Assistance. This means that an operational team is part of a larger whole (for example, a main battle force), although remaining independent, providing support in firepower and other strategic and tactical advantages, as well as force protection (protection of coalition troops).

Additionally, combat search-and-rescue (CSAR) and humanitarian aid and disaster relief are other, not unimportant tasks of the KCT.

Battle Honours

Arakan 1944, Nijmegen 1944, Eindhoven 1944, Vlissingen 1944 and Westkapelle 1944. Djojakarta 1948 and Central Sumatra 1948-1949 [http://www.korpscommandotroepen.nl/index.php?l=en&p=62]

Bosnia-Herzegovina (1996-2000), Iraq (SFIR) 2003-2005, Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom) 2005-2006 and (ISAF) 2006-2007

Recruitment and Training

Principally, the KCT only recruits new personnel from the Marine Corps or infantry units of the Army (Armoured or Airborne), who wish to join the KCT. Recruits require a positive recommendation from their commanding officers, and they are requested to assess the candidate by means of their (overall) performance record and (inter-)personal traits. The KCT explicitly demands certain personal and interpersonal qualities, along with their performance record, and their physical and mental readiness, in order for military recruits to successfully apply.

Recently, the KCT has been recruiting civilians, in addition to only military personnel. This new strategy should help to compensate the number of commandos that retire from service.

Women are allowed to join the KCT, but none have succeeded in passing the "ECO" (basic commando training). So far, no woman has ever become a KCT operator. Instead, they fulfill their duties in the Staff and Administration.

The commando training

In total, the training in order to become a "Commando Speciale Operaties" takes up to sixteen months:
* Preparatory training (2 months)
* Elementaire Commando Opleiding (ECO - basic commando training) (2 months) (average fail-rate: 66% of military recruits / 80-90% of civilian recruits)
* Vaktechnische Opleiding Speciale Operaties (VTO-SO - Qualification Training Special Operations) (12 months)

Preparatory Training

The purpose of the "preparatory training" is for civilians to learn the basic military skills. Additionally, it enables the military recruits to re-accommodate to the regime of military training. As of 2008, the training period is shorter for experienced marines who want to serve in the KCT, because the initial training in order to become a marine, is considered equal to the KCT's preparatory training. Therefore, marines do not undergo this phase of the training.

Civilian recruits earn the rank of Private First Class after finishing the Preparatory Training phase.

ECO

Little is known about the "Elementaire Commando Opleiding" or ECO, but it is certain that it covers the basics of special operations, and the basics haven't changed much throughout the decades. During a punishing 8 weeks, recruits will endure lack of sleep and nutrition, as they are mentally and physically put to the test in gruelling drills, (speed-)marches, "mock-up" missions, and so on. All of them are carried out in primitive, typically military conditions (in the woods and other natural environments). Those who make it through the 8 weeks will receive their Green Beret. The ECO is the most rigorous of all initial training programmes within the Dutch armed forces.

Military recruits who already have the rank of Private First Class, and the civilian recruits who have earned this rank from the preparatory training, will be promoted to Corporal upon receiving their Green Beret. Military personnel of higher ranks will maintain their present rank.

Qualification Training

During the Qualification Training Phase (Q-phase, or "Vak-Technische Opleiding Speciale Operaties"), the fresh commandos will receive advanced operational training. During the ECO, they have learnt the basics of special operations. During the Qualification Training, their acquired basic skills will be expanded and intensified. This intensive training covers the complete special operations package that every KCT operator must master, including free-fall parachute training, mountain warfare, Special Operations in Urban Terrain, etc, etc. By the time the commando has finished this phase, he is ready to be assigned to one of the operational companies. By now, the commando has evolved into "commando speciale operaties" (co-spec-ops).

The Q-phase lasts about 12 months.

Assignment and Service

After completing the last training phase, the co-spec-ops will be assigned to an operational company. Conditionally, there is a 6-months probation, followed by 2 years of active service. Active service can be lengthened until the operator has reached the age of 34, but this depends on capacity and requirements of the unit, but often it is possible.

After 1 year of active service, operators can follow Sergeant's training at Royal Dutch Military School to become a non-commissioned officer. Operators with the proper educational background (university level) are able to apply for an officer's training at the Royal Dutch Military Academy. They will become team commander, in the rank of First Lieutenant. After commissioning, the team commanders must conform to new active service conditions and additional active service length.

pecialisations

Individual specialisations

The individual disciplines are referred to as individual specialisations. During the Q-phase, operators will receive further training in one of four "specialisations" (sniper, medic, demolition or communication). Training will be given by KCT's own specialistic training and instruction platoons. An operational team consists of 8 operators, so 2 operators in turn are trained in one specific individual specialisation.

An operational KCT commando team consists of:
* 2 snipers
* 2 medics
* 2 commspecs (communication specialists)
* 2 demospecs (demolition specialists)

Team specialisations

Each operational KCT company has four teams that are specialized in one specific theater, the so-called team specialisation. [ [http://www.korpscommandotroepen.nl/index.php?l=en&p=101 Team Specializations] ] These teams are designated as "Spec-ops Teams":

* "Spec-ops Team" "Para" (HALO/HAHO parachute insertion)
* "Spec-ops Team" "Optreden Waterrijke Gebieden" (Amphibious warfare: "Frogmen", Special Boat Squadron)
* "Spec-ops Team" "Optreden Bergachtig Terrein" (Mountain warfare)
* "Spec-ops Team" "CT" (Counter-Terrorism).

Equipment

Weaponry

* Glock 17M semi-automatic pistol 9x19mm Parabellum (M stands for 'maritime') [The Glock 17M semi-automatic pistol does not officially exist, but Dutch armourers add the M designation to the serial number of modified pistols to indicate these have had a firing mechanism drainage modification which enables the Glock 17 to fire reliably with water present in the firing pin housing. Besides this modification the Glock 17M is a standard Glock 17 pistol.]
* Mossberg 590DA1 pump action shotgun 12 gauge
* FN P90 submachine gun 5.7x28mm
* Diemaco C8A1GD assault carbine 5.56x45mm NATO (GD stands for 'geluiddemper' (suppressor) [This C8 carbine variant is a KCT specific arm. It is often used with Aimpoint red dot sights instead of the C79 Optical Sight normally used by the Dutch Army.]
* Heckler & Koch HK416 assault rifle 5.56x45mm NATO
* Heckler & Koch HK417 assault/designated marksman rifle 7.62x51mm NATO
* Heckler & Koch AG-NL grenade launcher 40x46mm
* Accuracy International Arctic Warfare sniper rifle 7.62x51mm NATO (few arms available)
* Accuracy International AWSM-F sniper rifle .338 Lapua Magnum
* Sako TRG-41 sniper rifle .338 Lapua Magnum (20 arms acquired prior to the Accuracy International AWSM-F procurement)
* Barrett M82A1 anti-material rifle 12.7x99mm NATO
* FN Minimi light machine gun 5.56x45mm NATO
* FN MAG general purpose machine gun 7.62x51mm NATO
* M2 Browning machine gun heavy machine gun 12.7x99mm NATO
* Heckler & Koch GMG automatic grenade launcher 40x53mm
* Thomson-Brandt Commando Type V 60mm light mortar [ [http://www.angelfire.com/art/enchanter/mortars.html Commando and Special Forces mortars] ] [ [http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/cgi-bin/res.pl?keyword=Thomson-Brandt+Commando+Type+V&offset=0 Thomson-Brandt Commando Type V] ]
* M72A2 LAW light anti-tank weapon
* AT4 anti-tank weapon
* Special Operations Knife (SOK) Standard issue handmade survival knife by Hill Knives Holland. [ [http://www.hillknives.com/HillWebsite/Menu/Menu%20Outdoorknives.htm Special Operations Knife made for the commando's in the Netherlands] ]

Communication

* AN/PRC-148 Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio (MBITR) with headset

References

External links

* [http://www.korpscommandotroepen.nl Korps Commandotroepen Homepage (in Dutch)]
* [http://www.korpscommandotroepen.nl/index.php?l=en Korps Commandotroepen Homepage (in English)]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnzA_8Juw94 Footage of Dutch commandos in Afghanistan (2006) 1]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LogdQAweBkA Footage of Dutch commandos in Afghanistan (2006) 2]