The Belgium Special Forces Unit is a unit that is structured from the Belgium Army and began in the late 1960s. Although special forces units were active in Belgium since the end of WWII, the actual special forces unit that exists in Belgium today is vastly different when it comes to training which is so rigorous that it has been difficult as of late for the unit to fill vacancies from the Belgium Armed forces.

History Of The Belgium Special Forces

The Belgium speical forces became active during WWII as a way to secure the country against occupation. Although the Speical Forces Unit today known as HALO did not begin operating until the 1960s, the basic history of this regiment and the need for special forces in this country began shortly after the War when the country was liberated by allied forces.

How To Become A Member Of The Belgium Special Forces

Those who are in the Belgium Armed Forces are encouraged to try out for the special forces as their numbers have rapidly declined over recent years.  Civilians can enlist in the armed forces to become a member of this elite team.

Belgium Special Forces Unit Training

The Belgium Special Forces Unit is comprised of various functions. Those who make this elite squad can choose between the type of specialty that they wish to engage in. Free falling from high altitudes, such as HALO training is one of the specialties offered to those who are in this special unit.

Underwater fighting is also another specialty as well as communications.  The forces are primarily used for fighting off combatants from other countries and have a heavy concentration of espionage techniques. There are many in this special forces unit who pose as civilians for espionage purposes to combat terrorism and also threats to the national security of the country.

The training for the Belgium Special Forces unit, which has no name and operates on a covert basis is 20 weeks of rigorous and intensive physical and psychological training as well as intensive weapons training. Those who train must learn hand to hand combat skills, military tactics, radio transmission skills, survival tactics and intelligence gathering.

What Are They Best At?

The forces are designated into small groups that are skilled enough to go into enemy territory and free hostages as well as free other military combatants. They are trained to exact small offensive actions and engage directly in hand to hand combat with the enemies. Intelligence gathering by those posing as civilians is one of the operations they are best at.

Weapons Of The Belgium Special Forces

Weapons used by the special forces in Belgium include high level explosives as well as the Five Seven semi automatic pistol caliber 5.7 X 28 mm, the FN P90 submachine gun, the FN 2000 assault rifle, the FN Minimi light machine gun.

Known Missions

Right now, the Belgium Special Forces Unit is not engaged in global peacekeeping efforts or in war zones, although they are considered to be one of the most formidable special forces groups in the world. Because of the very rigorous training, this special forces unit is one that is nearly on the verge of extinction as the vacancies in the unit are not being filled due to the high demands of the training involved.

The Belgium Special Forces Unit reached their peak in the 1970s, although it has seen a rapid decline in recent years. Civilians and those in the armed forces are able to participate in the training, although in the past several years, none of them have been able to make it to the end of the training process. There is no indication from the Belgium Special Forces Unit that they plan to amend their restrictions on who can join this elite team of fighters, although recruitment for the team is continually underway.

Units

The Special Forces unit is comprised of several different factors. These include the HALO elite squad that specialize in free falling from high altitudes. This special forces unit is also engaged in espionage techniques and includes those who pose as civilians to obtain various information that may pose a threat to the national security of the country.

Are They Professional Soldiers?

Although Civilians can try out for the Belgium Special Forces, they must first join the Belgium Armed Forces. Those who make the special forces team are professional soldiers by the time the training is complete.

Resources:

www.wikipedia.org

This Article is written by James Kara Murat, contributor of US Navy SEAL Information Portal.