MARCOS (Marine Commandos): "The Few, The Fearless"

Marine Commando Force (MCF) is a part of special forces of Indian Defence along with PARA SF and GARUD. They are a part of Indian navy and are capable of undertaking operations in all types of environments air,land and water but are specialised in performing maritime operations. They are known for their commendable actions in various highly specialised operations.

Operational Specializations:

• Amphibious Reconnaissance Operations
• Special Surveillance
• Hostage-Rescue Operations
• Counter-Insurgency Operations
• Asymmetric Warfare
• Foreign Internal Defence (FID)
• Scheming Operations inside Hostile Territory- Diving Operations, Special Raids
• Unconventional Warfare
• Sky Diving
• Submarine Operations
• Urban Warfare
• Submersible Craft Operations
• Offshore Operations
• Explosive Ordnance Disposal Techniques
• Performing highly specialised Amphibious Operations
• Offshore Operations
• Airborne Operations
• Combat Diving Operations
• Anti-Hijacking
• Anti-Piracy
• Infiltration and Exfiltration Tactics

Active : Since 1987

Bases of Operations: Mumbai, Goa, Kochi, Port Blair and Vishakhapatnam

Selection & Training Process for Recruitment

The aspirants of MARCOS commando must be a part of Indian Navy for their induction. The aspirants are inducted when they are in their early 20s. Selections standards in MARCOS are high just like other Special forces. The candidate must be physically and mentally robust. Training is a continuous process. Candidate has to undergo a rigorous training. That's why almost 80-90% candidates are screened out. Duration of training is around 2.5-3 years.

Pre-Selection training comprises of a 3-day long physical fitness and aptitude test in which around 80% candidates are screened out. The candidate has to undergo then a further screening process known as Hell's Week. It involves a high degree of Physical exercise and Sleep Deprivation. After passing out these stage candidates have to undergo actual training process.

Training: Majority of training of MARCOS takes place at INS Abhimanyu. They are provided a basic training of 6- months in which 2 months include selection phase after that candidate has to undergo 9 month training which includes 

• Use of Different Weapons
• Conduct Special Warfare Techniques
• Gathering Intelligence from enemy
• Basic Diving
• Commando Tactics and Skills
• After that they are given highly specialised training for 1 year which includes close combat unarmed fighting KRAV MAGA.


Their Most Rigorous Training Program is 'Death Crawl' - An 800-metre crawl through thigh high mud loaded with 25 kg of gear  and after a 2.5 km obstacle race. Exhausted and sleep deprived trainee then must shoot target at 25 metres distance with a companion standing next to it.
They are also trained to parachute into open water with full combat load

MARCOS personnel are also Free Fall Qualified(HALO/HAHO)

Trained with PARA forces for unconventional warfare at Indian Special Forces Training School, Nahan

Trained at Parvat Ghatak School for high altitude mountain warfare in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh

Trained at Desert Warfare School in Rajasthan

Trained at High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) in Sonamarg, Kashmir.

Trained at Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School(CIJWS) in Mizoram

Firearms and Weapons:

• Semi- Automatic Pistols: Pistol Auto 9 mm 1A, Beretta 92FS, Glock 17,19,26 9 mm
• Heckler % Koch MP5 Submachine Gun
• IWI Negev NG-7 7.62 mm Light Machine Gun
• IMI Negev SF 5.56 mm Light Machine Gun
• MG 2A1 Machine Gun (General Purpose)
• RCL Mk III 84 mm Recoilless Rifle
• AK-103 7.62mm Assault Rifle
• AKMS 7.62 mm Assault Rifle
• M4A1 5.56 mm Assault Rifle
• IMI Tavor 5.56 mm Assault Rifle
• APS Amphibious Assault Rifle( Underwater)
• SAKO Tikka T-3 TAC 7.62 mm Bolt Action Sniper Rifle
• OSV-96 anti-material rifle
• H&K MSG90 7.62 mm Semi-Automatic Sniper Rifle
• IMI Galil 7.62 Sniper/ Galatz Semi-Automatic Sniper Rifle
• VSK94 9 mm Supressed Sniper Rifle
• VSS Vintorez  Supressed Sniper Rifle
• GP-25 40 mm, Arsenal UGBL 40 mm Under-Barrel Grenade Launcher
• AGS-17 30 mm Automatic Grenade Launcher
• SHIPON Anti Tank Weapon
• 9K38 Igla Manpads

Engagements:

• Operation Cactus
• Operation Leech
• Operation Pawan
• Operation Tasha
• Operation Zabardust
• Operation Rakshak
• Operation Rahat
• Operation Tornado
• Operation Cyclone