Rejimen Gerak Khas
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Rejimen Gerak Khas (Special Service Regiment) is a special forces/commando unit of the Malaysian Army. Rejimen Gerak Khas undertake commando raiding missions, special reconnaissance missions and infiltration missions or make forced entry assault missions. Trained as shock troops, Rejimen Gerak Khas is considered the Malaysian Army's elite.
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[edit] History
British Special Forces including the Special Air Service and the Royal Marines 40 Commando made a significant impact when assisting the Malaysian Armed Forces during the Indonesian Confrontation. British, Australian and New Zealand Special Air Service troops made daring cross border deterrent “Claret” missions. Royal Marine Commandos help put down the rebellion in Brunei. The experience of such units convinced the Malaysian Minister of Defence of the usefulness of such special forces and he directed the formation of such units within the Malaysian Army.
[edit] Formation of Malaysian Special Service Group
In 1965, the Ministry of Defence called on volunteers from the Army and Navy for Commando training. On 25 February 1965, an introductory training was conducted at Kem Majidee, Johor Bharu by the British 40 Commando, Royal Marines. The selection was harsh, and from the initial 300 men who volunteered, only 15 were selected to undergo the 6 weeks Basic Commando course. Of these, only 4 Officers and 9 Other Ranks passed the Basic Commando course.
Such was the beginning of the Malaysian Gerup Gerak Khas (Special Service Group). With assistance from instructors from the 40 Commando Royal Marines, the Special Service Group expanded and in 1965 alone conducted 6 of Basic Commando courses. On 1 August 1970 the 1st Special Service Regiment was formed at Kem Sungai Udang in Melaka.
[edit] Expansion
The 2nd Special Service Regiment was established on 1 January 1977, based at Kem Sungai Udang, Melaka. In 1979, Kolonel Borhan bin Ahmad was appointed the Commandant of Pusat Latihan Peperangan Khas (Special Warfare Training Centre). A separate Special Forces Directorate was established in the Ministry of Defense on 4 April 1980 and the Markas Grup Gerak Khas (HQ Special Forces Group) was established in Imphal Camp, Kuala Lumpur. As such, supporting units were attached to Gerup Gerak Khas.
The commando units were then redesignated and 1 Special Service Regiment became 21 Regiment Para Commando and 2 Special Service Regiment became 22nd Regiment Para Commando. On 1 April 1981, the 11th and 12th Special Service Regiments were formed to provide support to 21 Commando and 22 Commando. However 12th Special Service Regiment was disbanded soon after during the realignment of the Malaysian Army in the 1980s. The 3 regiments again had a name change, becoming known as 11 Commando Regiment, 21 Commando Regiment and 22 Commando Regiment.
[edit] Bases
Kem Sungai Udang was the acknowledged "Home of the Commandos" and its spiritual home. Members of the regiment trained with special forces units from Britain, New Zealand, Australia and the United States of America, further enriching the knowledge base. Under the Third Malaysia Plan and the expansion of the Armed Forces, the Pusat Latihan Peperangan Khas (Special Warfare Training Centre) was established. In 1983, 22nd Commando Regiment moved to Kuala Kubu Baru due to congestion at Kem Sungai Udang.
21 Gerup Gerak Khas and its regiments and support units have moved to Kem Iskandar, the new Special Operations Force base in Mersing. Situated 15 km south of Mersing, Kem Iskandar covers an area of 2,000 acres. Facilities include 200 buildings, 20 km of roads, 3 bridges, a harbour, landing pads, parade squares and other facilities. The project cost is RM422 million. The new base was named Kem Iskandar, after the Sultan of Johor, a staunch supporter of Rejimen Gerak Khas and its current colonel in chief. [1] [2] [3] [4]
[edit] Current Organisation and Units
The Malaysian Special Forces is subordinated to the Armed Forces HQ and Army HQ. the three regiments of Rejimen Gerak Khas are grouped under 21 Gerup Gerak Khas. This brigade sized unit also includes supporting units such as Signals and Engineer units attached. 11 Gerup Gerak Khas is currently also tasked with the CRW function.
Gerup Gerak Khas faces problems retaining members nearing the end of their enlistment, and finidng new recruits to replace existing commandos once they reached the mandatory age limit. [5] He said other countries were also facing the same problem in recruiting capable men to be groomed into elite soldiers capable of accomplishing any tasks or assignments given.
Concerned with high numbers of special Forces personnel leaving the service, the Malaysian Government increased, as of 1 January 2005, the monthly incentive payments to RM600 for those who have served between 1 to 10 years, RM750 for theose who had served between 11 to 15 years and RM900 for those whose service have exceeded 16 years. [6]
[edit] Current Units
- 21 Gerup Gerak Khas (Group Command HQ) -to provide facilities and equipment to carry out special mission.
- 11 Rejimen Gerak Khas-to provide a squadron to locate, harass, report and disrupt the enemy through long range infiltration as well as operating with guerilla and partisan forces.
- 21 Rejimen Gerak Khas (Komando)-to launch offensive operation independently via air, land and sea, behind the enemy line.
- 22 Rejimen Gerak Khas (Komando)-to launch offensive operation independently via air, land and sea, behind the enemy line.
[edit] Uniform
The Gerup Gerak Khas wears the same BDU uniforms as other combat elements of the Malaysian Army, but are distinguished by their Green beret with GERAKHAS insignia, blue lanyard rope on their right shoulder (originated from 40th Royal Marine Commando), commando dagger engraved with "GERAKHAS",highly folded sleeves, and their “Gerakhas” shoulder tab. Parachute wings are worn over the left pocket.
[edit] Deployment
Communist Terrorist Insurgency 1966-1990"
During the communist insurgency, Regiment Gerak Khas members had fought bravely in the Malaysian Jungle. A number of Communist Terrorists were killed and lots of weapons, equipment had been seized.
Spratley Islands
While deployment of Rejimen Gerak Khas units are secretive, it has been understood that Army and Navy Special Forces have been deployed to back Malaysia's claim to several islets in the Spratly Islands. Malaysian Army commandos and the Royal Malaysian Navy's PASKAL special forces have great experience in maintaining security at the islets claimed by Malaysia. Detachments have been placed on Terumbu Ubi, Terumbu Mantanani dan Terumbu Layang-Layang as well as Terumbu Siput and Terumbu Peninjau.[7]
16th Commonwealth Games
Gerup Gerak Khas was deployed to provide security and was on standby for Hostage Rescue during the 16th Commonwealth Games held in Kuala Lumpur in 1998.
Bosnia
Gerup Gerak Khas members were deployed to Bosnia, the one and only commando unit from South East Asia to serve in Bosnia.
Timor Leste 2006
Gerak Khas units were deployed with other troopers from 10 Paratrooper Brigade[8] and Royal Malaysian Police elite team, Pasukan Gerakan Khas to calm troubles in Timor Leste, in an Australian led mission called Operation Astute. [9]
[edit] Regimental Motto and Crest
The Regimental motto is "Cepat Dan Cergas" (Swift and Agile).
The Regiment Crest, fondly called "Harimau Berjuang" or fighting tiger, comprises a roaring tiger and the commando dagger. Green signifies the Regiment's status as a Commando regiment. Blue symbolizes the close relationship between Gerak Khas with 40 Commando Royal Marines. The Tiger denotes bravery, signifying ferocity and might. The Commando knife defines the commando status of the Regiment - only commandos use the commando knife.
[edit] Customs and Tradition
[edit] Green Beret
Members of Rejimen Gerak Khas wear the Green Beret, a common symbol amongst the commando and special forces community. The "harimau berjuang" cap badge is worn with the green beret.
[edit] Blue Lanyard
Members of Gerak Khas also wear the blue lanyard, an honour accorded to them by 40 Commando, Royal Marines. 40 Commando was instrumental in training the original members of 1st Special Service Regiment, the forerunner of 21 Komando. Personnel of both 40 Commando Royal Marine and Gerak Khas wear the traditional blue lanyards.
[edit] Shoulder Flash
Members of the regiment also wear a 'Gerakhas' shoulder tab.
[edit] Honours
Many members of the Regiment has been decorated for bravery and gallantry. [10] Notable awards received by members of the Regiment include
- Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP)
- 19151 Lance Corporal Rusli bin Buang
- Panglima Gagah Berani (PGB)
- Major Ahmad bin Rashid (410336)
- Major Baharin bin Abd Jalil (410560)
- 14812 Warrant Officer II Maamor bin Said
- 23852 Sergeant Ali bin Ahmad
- 16075 Corporal Zaki bin Nordin
- 901370 Trooper Sigal ak Nawan
- 928133 Sergeant Moid bin Mohamad
