About MARCOS
MARCOS is one of the fiercest forces in the world, capable of performing special operations even behind the enemy lines.MARCOS was established as the Indian Marine Special Forces (IMSF) in 1985. Later their name was changed to the Marine Commando Force (MCF). Terrorists in Kashmir are so scared of the MARCOS that they refer to them as ‘Dadiwala Fauji,’ because of the beards they wear as a disguise.
Their motto is “The Few The Fearless.”
Selection Process of NAVY’s Crocodiles
Becoming a Marine Commando is not an easy task. Candidates have to undergo one of the world’s toughest courses that can last between two-and-a-half to three years, depending on the specialization.
The pre-training procedure includes a three-day physical fitness and aptitude test in which more than 80% of applicants being screened out. For the rest of the candidates, a five-week-long ‘hell’s week’ follows, In this candidates have to go through sleep deprivation and intense physical training. Those who are able to tackle all challenges, or don’t quit on their own, actually proceed to the actual training.
Training of MARCOS
Those candidates that clear the selection process go to actual training. This includes basic training at INS Abhimanyu in Mumbai. They train in para jumps at the Paratrooper Training School in Agra and a diving course at Navy’s Diving School in Kochi.
After the completion of basic training, they join on probation with their respective groups for advanced training.
Advance Training
This includes training for counter-insurgency, clandestine operations, anti-hijacking, anti-piracy, amphibious operations, unconventional warfare, surveillance and reconnaissance, and hostage rescue, among others.
- High Altitude Commando Course - Parvat Ghatak School in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
- Desert Warfare School in Rajasthan
- High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) in Sonmarg
- Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School (CIJWS) in Mizoram
All MARCOS are static line para jump qualified, and some are qualified for freefall (HALO/HAHO) para jumps: High Altitude Low Opening and High Altitude High Opening.
MARCOS are among the few special forces in the world that are capable of doing Para jump into the sea with the full combat load. Those who complete the training serves with the elite outfit for 3 to 5 years.
Weapons of MARCOS
The MARCOS are equipped with some of the best weapons in the world.
Guns | Pictures |
1.Israeli Tavor TAR-21 assault rifle to which a 40 mm grenade launcher can be attached. The TAR-21 is weather sealed, so a MARCO can emerge out of the sea, the weapon is drawn and ready to shoot. |  |
2.The Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine gun for close quarter battles, |  |
3.The SIG Sauer P226 |  |
4.Glock 17 pistols |  |
5. Druganov Sniper |  |
6.Galil sniper rifle |  |
7.OSV-96 semi-auto heavy-caliber anti-material rifle |  |
They also operate two-man subs, the Italian CE-2F/X100, for conducting covert underwater operations.
Legendary Operations of MARCOS
- Operation Pawan, Sri Lanka - In this operation, MARCOS performed an operation to blow up the Jaffna jetty. They swim 12 kms to their target with their combat load in tow, then slipped in without being detected and blew up the harbour using explosives. They have immediately faced an attack from LTTE. The MARCOS returned fire and managed to swim back to the ship without any casualties.
- Operation Cactus (1988), MARCOS stopped an attempted coup in the Maldives. They captured the boat with 46 mercenaries and their hostages that had escaped after the failed coup attempt.
- During the Kargil War, the MARCOS performed the covert operations behind enemy lines.
- During the Mumbai attacks in 2008, they eliminate the terrorists, hiding in Oberoi Trident and Taj hotels.
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