New members of Albanian Special Forces

: Published: Friday, 03 August 2018 15:59

13 Armed Forces officers have been certified as the newest members of the Special Forces Battalion. The new officers became part of the elite of the Armed Forces after finishing the 11th basic course, which started with 50 participants, but only 13 managed to complete. For full 6 months, the trainees underwent an intensive training program, which included tactics of small units, special tactics, mountaineering, special reconnaissance, close fighting, water and underwater exercises with and without equipment, survival, etc.

The graduation ceremony was attended by Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces Brigadier General Bardhyl Kollçaku, Land Force Commander Brigadier General Nazmi Cahani, senior officers and family members of the trainees.

In his speech, Chief of General Staff Brigadier General Kollçaku announced radical changes in the Special Forces Battalion, paying attention to the younger officers and giving special importance to physical training.

"During September-October, there will be a physical testing of all Land Force including the Special Battalion. All those who will not gradually achieve the expected results will step aside so the new NCOs will replace them. We will not forget and we will not throw out any of the best assets we have in the Special Forces, but due to their age and physical inability, some of them will continue their career at the Troop School at the Academy of Officers, Academy of AF or Search and Rescue structures.“ – said Brigadier General Kollçaku.

Most of the participants failed to complete this special course due to difficulties and intensive exercises that take place during 6 months, but Chief of General Staff Brigadier General Kollçaku congratulated all the participants, announcing that all those who were able to complete the first 3 months of this course, can become part of the Commando Force.

Before the graduation, trainees demonstrated to the attendees some of the actions they learned during the 6-months course.
At the end of the ceremony, certificates were given to the first three places trainees and the course instructors of the 11th basic course of Special Forces.