The Indian Navy Commandos, commonly called MARCOS, are an elite special forces unit established in 1987 within the Indian Navy. MARCOS are trained for all kinds of operations like counter-terrorism, reconnaissance, amphibious warfare, and hostage rescue. Given the tag “the few, the fearless,” they take pride in operating under diverse and challenging atmospheric conditions, comprising sea, air, and land. For young people who want to join this special force, this blog is going to be very helpful, as here today you will learn how to become Marcos commando, what is Marcos commando salary and what their height and age requirements are, and more.
How to Become Marcos Commando?
If you are searching for “How to become Marcos Commando”, these steps would help you go through the selection process:
The multilayered selection process for Marcos Commando operates through various phases, with each phase evaluating certain dimensions of a candidate’s skill set, endurance, or psychological status.
Phase 1: Pre-Selection
These first two steps consist of three very arduous days of testing designed to test stamina, physical fitness, and mental endurance. The main tests might include the following:
- Physical Endurance Tests: Applicants display top cardiovascular strength and endurance.
- Aptitude Tests: This test measures one’s intelligence and decision-making capacity when under pressure.
Under 20% of applicants managed to get past this initial filter in the competition.
Phase 2: Selection
This period of five weeks perhaps represents the most rigorous phase in the entire selection procedure. It is based upon the Hell Week conducted by the United States Navy SEALs and entails the following:
- Endurance Runs: Candidates must carry heavy loads during runs. Usually, 20 km in the morning, followed by night marches.
- Stress Tests: Trainees will be deprived of sleep and be made to perform physically strenuous tasks, combining all of these elements to simulate battlefield conditions.
- Live Training: Candidates train with live ammunition, wherein live fire drills teach tactical decision-making and marksmanship under pressure.
- Obstacle Courses: This venerable course requires a death crawl through mud, directly succeeded by an obstacle course requiring speed and careful approach.
This phase is invaluable for identifying the psychologically and physically tough ones, eliminating all those who cannot stand the hard strains of endurance.
Phase 3: Initial Qualification Training
- The third phase is Initial Qualification Training. Those who pass the Selection phase become Initial Qualification Trainees. This entails:
- Basic Special Forces Training: Subjects covered include small arms handling, CQB, hostage-rescue operations, and physical combat training.
- Specialized Courses: The specialized courses consist of a 10-week Basic Special Forces Training Course at INS Abhimanyu, a 3-week Basic Parachute Course, and a Basic Combat Divers’ Course to build on the skills acquired in the previous phase.
Phase 4: Period of Advanced Training and Probation
After qualifying initially, candidates pass through a period of advanced training. This period includes training in specialized operations like:
- Combat Free-fall Training: Includes parachuting from varied altitudes in varying conditions.
- Clandestine Operations: Operations requiring stealth and precision, such as anti-piracy and surveillance.
- Fieldcraft Techniques: Methods of tactical movement in different terrains, including tactics for movement in deserts and mountain warfare, thereby imparting versatile skills to candidates.
This time-intensive period lasts for about two years, with a dropout rate of more than 80%. The training is so tough that only a few can claim the title of a MARCOS Commando.
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Training Procedure to Become a MARCOS Commando In India
As shown below, there are two categories of training procedures:
1. Five-Week program
The unique pack for this five-week program contains the following items:
- About 20 km (12.4 miles) of morning runs.
- 20-kilometer (12.4-mile) night marches while carrying a 60-kg (132-pound) load.
- Practice with live ammunition.
- Once a week, carry a weight weighing 60 kg (132 lb) for 120 miles under a set time limit.
2. Hell Week Selection
The US Navy SEALs serve as the model for the Hell Week selection process. It consists of:
- On average, a week of nonstop training involved about 20 hours of nonstop physical activity every day.
- Candidates will be fortunate if they sleep for more than four hours during the week.
- The ‘Death Crawl’ is an 800-meter thigh-high, mud-filled track that candidates must ‘run’ through at the end of the week while carrying a 25-kilogram (55 lb) weight.
- A 2.5-kilometer (1.5-mile) obstacle course must be completed first.
- Fire at a target from a distance of 25 meters while a colleague candidate stands precisely beside it.
3. Marcos Commando Height Requirement
The Indian Navy as a whole has a minimum height requirement of 157 cm (5 feet 2 inches) for Marine Commandos, or MARCOS. The MARCOS commandos do not have a different, greater height requirement. Applicants must volunteer for MARCOS training after enlisting in the Indian Navy.
4. Marcos Commando Age Limit
Candidates should normally be in the 18–30 age range. However, applicants must be in their early 20s to serve as Indian Navy officers.
5. Marcos Commando Qualification
Applicants must fulfill strict qualifying requirements in order to start this difficult trip, guaranteeing that only the best applicants make it to the selection stage.
1) Nationality and Gender
Citizenship: Applicants must be citizens of India.
Gender: Although the MARCOS unit has always been controlled by men, changing military regulations may eventually provide chances for women.
2) Age Limits
Generally speaking, prospective candidates should be between the ages of 18 and 30. However, applicants for Indian Navy officer positions must be in their early 20s.
3) Educational Qualifications
Higher secondary education (10+2) is a prerequisite. A candidate’s chances can be greatly improved by having a higher education than this.
4) Service Requirements
MARCOS training is only available to those who are currently officers or sailors in the Indian Navy. Prior to moving on to special operations training, this requirement guarantees that applicants have a solid foundation in nautical skills.
Indian Marcos Commando Salary
According to the 7th Central Pay Commission, the MARCOS Commando salary is reported to be approximately between Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 27,000 per month (basic pay). Apart from this, they receive various allowances, which are:
- Ship Driving Allowance: They receive between Rs 8,500 and Rs 10,000 in ship driving allowance in addition to their base wage.
- Marcos Allowance: Marine Commandos receive Rs 25,000 in appreciation of their special role.
- Allowances for various posting regions: An extra 20% of their base wage is given in challenging areas.
- In locations with heavy activity, an allowance of Rs 16,900 is provided.
- Employees in the field receive a field area allowance of Rs 10,500.
- They are given a peace zone allowance of Rs 35,000 in “peace zones.”
- Rs 16,900 is the field area allowance (only for field area postings).
- Allowance for Field Area: Rs 10,500.