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by Rashomi Silva

They are the toughest of the tough and the bravest of the brave. 'Nothing is Impossible' is the motto of these unrivalled warriors of the Commando Regiment, of the Sri Lanka Army. Fulfilling the aspirations of the Regiment these gallant soldiers, throughout their short history have been the pride of the armed forces of Sri Lanka. With their exceptional survivability they maintain peak physical and mental abilities, even under the most exhausting, terrifying and even under the most painful circumstances.

To fulfil a longstanding need of an elite unit, the Commando squadron was established in March 1980 under the commandship of Lt. Col. S.D. Peries.

Diyathalawa 'B' camp housed the Regiment temporarily till they shifted to a camp of their own at Ganemulla in December 1980. In July 1983 Commando squadron was converted into the first Commando Regiment. Marking another milestone in its short history in 1993 the second Commando Regiment was established and concurrently a special training school was instituted at Kuda Oya.

Commando officers are selected from among the officers who volunteer to join the commandos from other regiments.

The volunteer officers are required to sit for a written exam consisting of an IQ paper, and to pass a tough physical standard test conducted under extremely difficult conditions. Apart from that their emotional soundness to become a commando is assessed at different stages throughout the training using various techniques.

Other rankers are selected from a special recruitment drive held once or twice every year depending on the requirements.

Other rankers too have to pass the same physical ability test as the officers who are to follow commando training.

Commandos receive their rare training in a special camp at Kuda Oya down South. The month-long training conducted in a calm and secluded camp transforms a soldier into a fully-fledged commando.

During the training period the prospective commandos are separated from the outside world and put through rigorous physical and mental tests. It is aimed at measuring the soldiers' ability to make accurate and quick decisions under stress and strain.

'Survival is the best' is the principle adopted by the commandos in their training. Only the best will be kept with the commandos while those who fail to keep up to the required standards will have to leave the unit. The officers will join their original unit, the unit they were attached to, before joining the commandos and the soldiers will be taken to different regiments depending on their abilities and performance.

Those who complete the training will graduate as Commandos at a colourful graduation ceremony. The trained commandos are allowed to wear the maroon beret.

The Commandant of Commando Unit I talks proudly of his life as a commando:

"I joined the Army in 1986. After completing my cadetship I decided to join commandos as the adventure it promised appealed to me. The one month training I went through was the most unforgettable experience in my army life. 50 of us were selected to follow the training but only 15 graduated as commandos.

I became the best commando in my batch. We were trained throughout the day and night and from time to time we were put through strenuous tests to measure our mental and physical endurability and survivability, qualities that every commando should possess in a high degree. Those who fail to meet the required standards will fall out.

"On my first day as a team commander, (the junior most appointment a commissioned commando officer gets) I felt the responsibilities weighing heavily on my shoulders, it was my duty to accomplish the given task and to bring back my men safely to the base.

"I cultivated friendship and comradeship with men under my command, it helped me to a great extent to overcome the loneliness one is prone to feel in the no man's land. As I got more close to them I felt that they were looking upon me as a second father.

My men started to approach me with their personal as well as professional concerns - it showed the confidence they had in me and that gave me the courage and the self-confidence to carry out my duties and responsibilities.

"While maintaining strict discipline the commando officers and men work as a team. When a senior officer plans an operation or makes a crucial decision he always consults his subordinates, they too can point out the faults in a disciplined manner.

"A special emphasis is placed on modelling good leaders and excellent team workers during commando training.

The commandos are not only good soldiers but they made excellent leaders. A good leader invites credibility and faith among the followers. The secret of the success of the regiment is good leadership and true team spirit, qualities that help to mould honourable citizens and valiant soldiers.

"Operation Vadamarachchi, Operation Balawegaya, Operation Wanni Wickrama, Operation Thunder Strike, Operation Leap Forward, Operation Riviresa, Operation Sathjaya" are a few of the major operations commandos participated in.

"My advice to any young commando who wants to climb the ladder of career is that dedication, loyalty and consideration for your subordinates will take you a long way. Always ensure the safety of your subordinate even at the risk of your life".

"I never joined the commandos to die for the sake of my country. One has to live to protect one's country. If I die who is going to safeguard my motherland?

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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