How To Become A Garuda Commando 2023?

Garuda Commando 2023

The Indian armed forces are the strength of the nation, protecting its citizens from all external and internal threats. Each branch of the armed forces has sub-branches that specialize in specific types of missions. The Indian Armed Forces have three branches: the Army, Air Force, and Navy. Each branch has its own special forces unit that is trained to handle specific emergency situations and threats to the nation.

The Army has the PARA Special Forces, the Navy has the MARCOS, and the Air Force has the GARUDA Special Forces. These elite forces are specifically trained to fight terrorist attacks within the country’s territory. Due to their specialized skills and ability to operate under difficult conditions, they are known as Special Forces. Servicemen from all three forces are recruited and given specialized training to become commandos.

How To Become a Garuda Commando?

The Garuda Commando Force is the special elite forces unit of the Indian Air Force. It was formed in 2003 and has a strength of 1000-1500 personnel. They are trained in New Delhi. Its main purpose is to protect vital squadrons and aircraft of IAF across the world, presently this special unit is deployed in Congo peacekeeping operations. Other functions include Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), Counter Insurgency Operations, and Emergency Response to terrorist activities involving airfields. They are generally trained with paratroopers of the Indian army.

• The name Garuda has great significance in Hindu Mythology. It is actually a sacred bird-like creature.
• In September 2003, the Government of India authorized a force of 1080 Special Operations Airmen.
• The new Commando of the Indian Air Force, The Garuds, was established on February 6, 2000. The group was originally called “Tiger Force”, but was later renamed as “Garuda Force”.
• Garuda commando force is known as the latest special unit force possibly observed on 6 February 2004 as they were first unveiled when the first batch of 62 “Air Commandos” passed out of training in New Delhi.
• The Garuds were first seen publicly during the Air Force Day celebrations at New Delhi on 8 October 2004.
• The decision of raising a new force with a strength of 1080 Special Operation Airmen was taken in 2003 after realizing the need of having their own special unit by the Indian Air force and not to rely solely on the Special Forces of Army in any emergency situation.
• It aims at pacifying and tackling an emergency situation of terror threats and responding to it. Along with this search and rescue, combat, and handling counter insurgencies are the operations executed by them.

In order to get selected as a GARUDA, a person needs to go through two processes which is based on the type of post. For non-commissioned posts, candidates go through the airmen selection process and for the commissioned post, they go through ground duty trainees of GDOC.

• Non-Commissioned Post – The selection for GARUDA is done directly through Airmen Section Centres. First the Recruitment notification or advertisement is released. The maximum age limit for these posts is 23 years old. After getting selection in this, the candidate has to go through rigorous training and only after completion of the same with good grades, You become the part of Special Operation Force of the Indian Air Force. After joining the force, one keeps in this stream until he serves in the Indian Air force.
• Commissioned Posts – Candidates are selected in Commissioned posts for GARUDA units by the cadets of ground duty at Air force Academy, Dundigal. And for GDOC, the Candidate needs to crack the AFCAT exam. The maximum age for these posts is 26 years old. After getting proper training, one becomes a part of the GARUDA unit.

Since its a special force which needs to operate in emergency and dangerous situations so they are trained likewise They get rigorous training, first phase of training takes place at GARUDA regiment training centre, Hindan and the Next phase of training is provided by special group members from the Army, NSG, Paramilitary force and Special Frontier force altogether. Other than this, they are also trained at parachute training school, diving school of the Navy and jungle warfare school of the Army. And for the last phase, they get training from Special Forces units of the Army.