Special Forces Command facts for kids
The Maroon Berets are a highly trained special operations unit of the Turkish Army. They are also known as "Bordo Bereliler". Their main job is to protect the Turkish Republic from threats like terrorists and foreign military actions. They also go on important missions behind enemy lines, gather information, and help on the front lines.
To become a Maroon Beret, soldiers go through three types of training: Domestic, International, and Specialty. These trainings cover 47 different subjects. Domestic training takes 72 weeks, and International training can last from 10 to 52 weeks in different countries. It takes about 3.5 to 5 years to become a full Maroon Beret commando.
The Maroon Berets became well-known when they captured a leader of a terrorist group, Abdullah Öcalan, in Kenya. The identities of Maroon Beret members are kept secret. Unlike some other special teams, Maroon Beret officers are very experienced in battle. They are often involved in operations in southeastern Turkey and even cross into Northern Iraq to fight against the PKK.
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How the Maroon Berets Started
The Maroon Berets began just before the Korean War and right after World War II. They were first called "Turkish Commandos" (Turkish: Türk Komandoları).
To join NATO, Turkey sent its soldiers to fight in the Korean War. At that time, the United States military didn't have special operations teams like the Maroon Berets. So, the Maroon Berets were the only special operations team working in the Korean War. They went on missions into North Korean territory and gathered information in China. They were the only foreign soldiers to operate on Chinese soil back then. The exact details of their missions in the Korean War are still a secret today.
In 1992, their name officially changed to "Maroon Berets" (Turkish: Bordo Bereliler).
Role in the 1974 Cyprus Conflict
The Maroon Berets played a big part in the Turkish operations in Cyprus in 1974. This event is also known as the 1974 Turkish-Greek conflict. Their main goal was to weaken the Greek military forces in Cyprus.
Maroon Beret commandos would secretly land using fast boats before the main invasions. They would sneak for miles to find good landing spots for other troops. They also found places for the Air Force to strike, mapped the land, marked dangerous areas, and even planted explosives. These scouting missions could last from a few hours to several days. These missions were very risky but were crucial for the safety of Turkish soldiers, tanks, and vehicles that followed.
Protecting Borders and Fighting Terrorism
The Maroon Berets are constantly involved in operations against the PKK terrorist group. These efforts are part of ongoing clashes between Turkish security forces and the PKK in southeastern Turkey and northern Iraq. The Maroon Berets have led the Turkish Army in several operations into Northern Iraq, sometimes going as far as 32 kilometers.
Some of these important operations include:
- On October 5, 1992, an operation in Northern Iraq took place after attacks on Turkish stations.
- On March 20, 1995, Operation Steel was carried out after another attack.
- On May 12, 1997, Operation Hammer responded to an attack that caused many casualties.
- On September 25, 1997, Operation Dawn was launched after another attack.
- On February 21, 2008, Operation Sun was conducted after a fifth attack on Turkish soldiers.
In all these operations, Maroon Beret commandos led the way, followed by Gendarme Commandos and then regular Army soldiers.
Becoming a Maroon Beret
Maroon Berets are chosen from high-ranking Army officers who volunteer to join. Each volunteer must have served at least three years as an Army soldier. They also need to have experience from Army operations or training exercises.
Their training includes:
- A) Domestic training, which takes 72 weeks.
- B) International training, lasting 10 to 52 weeks, depending on the officer's rank.
- C) Specialty training.
After finishing their special operations training, commandos are tested before they officially become Maroon Beret officers. They must show they can survive in all kinds of environments for at least two weeks. For this test, they are left as a team in different places with no equipment or help. If they pass this survival test, they become Maroon Beret commandos. They also face other challenging tests, like the Trust Shot. In the last month of training, called "hell month" (similar to the US Navy Seals' Hell Week), Maroon Berets also receive training on how to handle interrogations.
The Trust Shot
The Trust Shot (Turkish: Gūven Atışı) is a unique part of the Maroon Berets' training. It happens in the last month of training and helps soldiers build trust in each other. In this exercise, two team members stand next to paper targets. Another team member fires a handgun at the targets while walking towards them from 15 meters (about 49 feet) away. The Maroon Berets are the only special operations team in the world that does this exercise.
During the Trust Shot, the people standing next to the targets are not allowed to move or wear body armor. This exercise truly tests their trust and confidence in their teammates.
