Commando

In military science, the term commando can refer to an individual, a military unit, or a raiding style of military operation. In certain contexts, the term is synonymous with light infantry or "special forces". They should be distinguished from special force units which specialise in extended, long range ground-level reconnaisance and patrol missions, behind enemy lines (such as the various Special Air Services).

Elite soldiers

Commandos are generally seen as "elite" soldiers; they tend to meet relatively high physical and intellectual requirements, are formed into combat units (from squad to brigade strength), and often operate in conjunction with more traditional military formations.

Related Topics:
Soldier - Combat - Squad - Brigade

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Tactics common to the modern commando are the product of experience gained over centuries, but which were brought to the fore and developed in guerilla warfare during the 20th century. Commandos are normally trained for assault by land, sea or air and most are parachute qualified. Training also includes unarmed combat, infiltration, counterterrorism, patrol, reconnaissance, jungle, desert, arctic, and mountain terrains with an emphasis on both teamwork and self reliance. Individuals specialise in various aspects such as explosives and communications. Commando hallmarks are speed, mobility and stealth. Many operations are conducted at night and Commandos are not intended to remain continuously in the line for long periods.

Related Topics:
Tactics - Guerilla warfare - 20th century - Parachute - Unarmed combat - Infiltration - Counterterrorism - Patrol - Reconnaissance - Jungle - Desert - Arctic - Mountain - Explosives

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The word commando comes from the Portuguese and first came to international attention when adopted by the Afrikaners of South Africa in the late 19th century. In Afrikaans, one meaning of the word kommando is "command" (including a command given to a computer). It was therefore used in the sense of a particular military command. Similarly, in English, "a commando" originally meant a small military unit devoted to raiding tactics. Eventually the word came to mean an individual within such units, as a result of people reading and hearing about the deeds of "the commandos" and misunderstanding what the word's singular would mean.

Related Topics:
Portuguese - Afrikaner - South Africa - 19th century - Afrikaans - Singular

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