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The Naval Commandos (French: Commandos marine) are the special forces of the French Navy. They are made up of ~500 members, mostly based in northwestern France (Brittany), with several bases across the country for specific training needs. The Naval Commandos are nicknamed bérets verts (Green Berets). Their qualification training is one of the toughest in the world. They operate under the Naval rifle and special force Command and the French Special Operations Command.
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The Naval Commandos were formed during World War II in Great Britain modeled alongside the British Commandos (who were founded in 1940). To remember this the beret of the french naval commandos and riflemen is worn pulled to the left with the badge worn over the right ear, as opposite of all the others french units. Its manpower came from the Fusilier Marins.
It took part in the Normandy Landing on D-Day under command of Commandant Philippe Kieffer.
All the recruits must be fusiliers marins (Marine) with at least 9 months of service. They have to enter a special forces course basic training reputed to be one of the toughest among the NATO Special Operation Forces. The basic training is called Stage Commando (commando training).
The commando training is for the marine the gateway to the special forces. Conducted at the Fusilier Marins school in Lorient, it provides upon graduation access to the commandos and the right to wear the green beret and the badge of the commandos. Lasting 20 weeks, it includes one week of commando testing, 6 weeks of preparatory training, 4 weeks of evaluation, the actual commando training for 7 weeks, and 2 weeks of paratrooper training. During this period, any mistake can instantly disqualify the candidate. The ultimate goal of this training is to detect individuals with the physical, intellectual and psychological potential needed to work into the marine commandos. The historical roots of commando training date back to the Second World War, when the volunteers of Free France went to the Commando training center in Achnacarry, Scotland. Since then, naval commandos has kept by tradition the green beret "English" with the badge to the left, the only such exception in the French armed forces. They have mostly retained the principle of exceptional training without compromise, based on immersion in a highly stressful environment, close to the operational situations of combat.
The Commandos in training are constantly under stress and pressure from instructors leaving them no respite. All activities are timed and scored: marching several tens of kilometers with equipment and weapon, obstacle course, combat strokes, navigation at night on the ground. The training is punctuated by firearms training and special combat techniques, rappeling and climbing, boating, explosives and hand-to-hand combat. The instructors are usually former commando operatives who monitor and punish any misconduct with extra-hard physical activity.
Sleep is scarce, two hours a day, with the sound of grenades waking students each night.
Students are continually soaked by the Brittany drizzle, and comfort is denied.
Their personnel is distributed between 6 commandos, named after former naval fusilier officers killed in action, and a special counter-terrorist unit :