The Making of Malaysia’s Toughest Men: GGK Special Forces Training
How men are forged into elite soldiers
Author: Steve Hanafi (Silat Sharaf Practitioner, Malaysia)
Born on the 1st of May, 1965, Malaysia’s Special Service Group (SSG) or more known as Grup Gerak Khas (GGK), is one of the most feared and respected units in Malaysia’s military branch. The first batch was trained by the world-renowned British Royal Marine Commandos. 1600 men volunteered, 300 selected but in the end, only 12 men left.
What made it so difficult to be one of the members of this elite group?
The harsh, unforgiving, brutal selection course, the 12 weeks of hell.
Designed to separate the boys from the men, and turn what’s left into elite soldiers.
Right in front of their main gate.
Your presence is unwelcome, if you have doubts then leave. These words are placed right in front of the main gate at the Special Warfare Training Center (SWTC) in Sungai Udang Camp, Malacca. Before they become one of Malaysia’s most elite soldiers, they must go through 12 weeks of grueling hell, which is divided into 5 phases, Camp, Jungle, Swamp, Sea, and Final phase. Only those who pass all 5 phases will then earn the right and honor to put on the Green Beret and call themselves a Commando.
Phase 1 : Camp Phase
Duration : 5 Weeks
Before participating in any of the courses, recruits must first go through a tough 30 day orientation period. Then only they can enter the first phase which is specifically made to test their physical and mental strength. During this phase, recruits will undergo different training such as, abseiling, weapons training, explosives, combat medic and navigation. At the beginning of the stage, they will be required to march for 76 kilometres during the day and another 76 during the night.
Among the training exercise done during camp phase. Photo credit: Jun Komando
Phase 2 : Jungle Phase
Duration : 2 Weeks
Training to learn what they do best, jungle warfare. Photo credit: RSTD
This phase will focus on survival training and jungle warfare. Recruits will be trained to navigate for 90 kilometres. At the end of this stage, recruits will march for a total of 160 kilometres in 3 days. Usually, it is during this phase that many recruits will give up as they can no longer endure walking the distance.
It is during this phase where they will face hunger, pain, and worst of all; self-doubt.
Phase 3 : Swamp Phase
Recruits during the swamp phase. Credit : EXCDOT
Duration : 1 Week
Despite the duration is one of the shortest, but this will be one of the most challenging as recruits will be left deep inside swamp vegetation and will be left to survive with nothing but a machete and a couple of matches with no other supplies. Nope, not even a drop of water or any MREs. This is a survival exercise to face real-life survival scenarios where things can be even worse.
During this phase, they also have to watch out for instructors who will be on the hunt for them. As this exercise simulates evading from capture, a moment of being careless will result in capture and then they will be punished or tortured.
Punishment awaits if they are caught cheating, unable to finish the task given or not working as a team
Phase 4 : Sea Phase
Duration : 2 Weeks
Amphibious assault team. Photo credit : Panggilan Pertiwi
Training at this phase will focus on amphibious assault, diving deep into the sea, sabotage and combat diving skills. Recruits will be required to canoe as far as 20 kilometres. This phase is essential as a commando MUST be proficient in Sea, Air and Land combat tactics.
Phase 5 : Final Phase
Duration : 2 weeks
Capture = torture.
Now’s the time when all their knowledge and skills will be put to the test. It is time for their final phase where they will apply everything that they have acquired through the course.
They will first have to row for 100 kilometres to their target. Then, they will have to search and identify the enemy’s hiding spot, plan and launch their assault. Once the assault has been launched, they are now to escape from the enemies who will be hunting them. These “enemies” are their instructors who are experts in jungle tracking and jungle warfare.
During their escape, if they are ever caught, they will be tortured until they reveal their information. If they ever do reveal any information, it will be the end of their journey as they will immediately fail.
After this gruesome phase, then comes the closing ceremony where they will be awarded the infamous Green Beret along with a blue lanyard and a Fairbairn Sykes Dagger as a symbol that they are now a part of Malaysia’s toughest men, Grup Gerak Khas commandos. It is no doubt that the training is made to eliminate the weak-minded and for the strong ones to thrive. Maybe we as civilians can learn a thing or two from their mental toughness and never-giving-up mindset.
The infamous Green Beret. Credit : BTDM