Kommando Spezialkräfte
Encyclopedia
The KSK Kommando Spezialkräfte (Special Forces Command, KSK) is an elite military unit composed of Special Operations soldiers from the ranks of Germany’s Bundeswehr
and organized as such under the Division Spezielle Operationen (Special Operations Division, DSO). The unit has received many decorations and awards from both NATO and its affiliates. Modeling itself on the British Army's
Special Air Service
and the US Army's Delta Force
, KSK operators are frequently requested for joint anti-terror operations, most notably in the Balkans and Middle East.
; a highly trained police force created shortly after the tragic events that transpired during the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. Up until this time, the army’s Fernspäher, the navy’s Kampfschwimmer
, and (until 1989) the Nuclear Weapons Protection Platoons - Sonderwaffenbegleitkompanien were the only military units comparable to anything that other nations may have seen as dedicated Special Forces units. Following the KSK’s activation on April 1, 1997, all but one of the Fernspäherkompanie have been either disbanded or merged into the newly constituted unit.
Just like all German military units, KSK deployments require authorization from both the German Bundestag
and the German Federal Government. The unit has engaged in numerous anti-terror campaigns both in Europe and abroad; known engagements include operations inside Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russia, and most recently in Afghanistan. As is to be expected with such units, specific operational details such as success and casualty rates are deemed top secret and withheld even from the highest-ranking members of the Bundestag. This practice, however, has drawn heavy criticism that has resulted in future plans to increase transparency and accountability by relaying mission details to selected members of the Bundestag
in regards to actions taken by the KSK.
There are four commando squads in every platoon. Each of these groups consist of about four equally skilled members that have been hand-picked from the German Army into the platoon that best suits their abilities. Each group member is specially trained as either a weapons expert, medic
, combat engineer or communications expert, respectively. Additionally, some groups may contain other specialists, such as a heavy weapons or language expert.
") must have been completed by the applicant. Since 2005, however, applications have also been opened to civilians and enlisted personnel who must complete an 18-month Long Range Surveillance
training cycle before the intense KSK selection process begins.
The selection process is divided into two phases: a three-week-long physical and psychological training regimen (normally garnering a 40% pass rate), and later a three-month-long physical endurance phase (normally garnering a 8-10% pass rate). During latter phase, the KSK use the Black Forest
as their proving grounds for prospective operators. In this time, candidates must undergo a grueling 90-hour cross-country run, followed by a three-week international Combat Survival Course at the German Special Operations Training Center' (formerly the International Long Range Reconnaissance School) in Pfullendorf
.
Upon successful completion of the selection process, candidates may be allowed to start their 2-3 year training cycle with the KSK. This training includes roughly twenty jungle, desert, urban, and counter-terrorism courses at over seventeen schools worldwide; in Norway
for Arctic terrain, Austria
for mountainous terrain, El Paso
, Texas
or Israel
for desert and/or bush training, San Diego for amphibious operations, and Belize
for jungle experience.
According to press releases from May 2008, the Bundeswehr aims to advance the attractiveness of service in the KSK to women. This is in part due to the fact that the KSK could never reach its targeted number of troops in the past. Although the KSK was not explicitly restricted to male troops since the Bundeswehr opened all units to women in 2001, so far, no woman has been able to pass the physical requirements of the KSK.
{|class="wikitable" width="60%" align=center style="font-size:100%;"
|-
!style="background: #e3e3e3"|Name
!style="background: #e3e3e3"|Type
!style="background: #e3e3e3"|Origin
!style="background: #e3e3e3"|Notes
|-
|align="center"|H&K P8
|align="center"|Semi-automatic pistol
|align="center"|
|
|-
|align="center"|H&K USP Tactical
|align="center"|semi-automatic pistol
|align="center"|
|
|-
|
|-
|align="center"|H&K MP5
|align="center"|submachine gun
|align="center"|
|In various versions including the H&K MP5K and the MP5SD.
|-
|align="center"|H&K MP7
|align="center"|Personal defense weapon
|align="center"|
|
|-
|align="center"|H&K UMP
|align="center"|submachine gun
|align="center"|
|
|-
|align="center"|H&K G3
|align="center"|battle rifles
|align="center"|
|
|-
|align="center"|H&K G36
|align="center"|assault rifles
|align="center"|
|In different versions including the G36C
. May be fitted with the AG36
grenade launcher.
|-
|align="center"|H&K 416
|align="center"|assault rifles
|align="center"|
|May be fitted with the AG36
grenade launcher.
|-
|align="center"|G22
|align="center"|Sniper rifle
|align="center"|
|
|-
|align="center"|G24
|align="center"|Sniper rifle
|align="center"|
|
|-
|align="center"|H&K PSG-1
|align="center"|Sniper rifle
|align="center"|
|
|-
|align="center"|H&K MG4
|align="center"|Squad automatic weapon
|align="center"|
|
|-
|align="center"|H&K 21
|align="center"|General purpose machine gun
|align="center"|
|
|-
|align="center"|Rheinmetall MG 3
|align="center"|General purpose machine gun
|align="center"|
|
|-
|align="center"|Remington 870
|align="center"|Shotgun
|align="center"|
|
|-
|align="center"|FIM-92 Stinger
|align="center"|Air-defense system
|align="center"|
|
|-
|align="center"|Panzerfaust 3
|align="center"|Rocket-propelled grenade
|align="center"|
|
|-
|align="center"|MILAN
|align="center"|Anti-tank guided missile
|align="center"| /
|
|-
|align="center"|H&K GMG
|align="center"|automatic
grenade launcher
|align="center"|
|-
The commando badge's design is similar to the metal badge worn on the beret.
It depicts a silver sword on light green background surrounded by oak leaves. The badge was permitted to be worn in 2000 by Federal President Johannes Rau
.
, similar to infantry units. Before becoming an independent military force the KSK was a part of infantry units.
Bundeswehr
The Bundeswehr consists of the unified armed forces of Germany and their civil administration and procurement authorities...
and organized as such under the Division Spezielle Operationen (Special Operations Division, DSO). The unit has received many decorations and awards from both NATO and its affiliates. Modeling itself on the British Army's
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
Special Air Service
Special Air Service
Special Air Service or SAS is a corps of the British Army constituted on 31 May 1950. They are part of the United Kingdom Special Forces and have served as a model for the special forces of many other countries all over the world...
and the US Army's Delta Force
Delta Force
1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta is one of the United States' secretive Tier One counter-terrorism and Special Mission Units. Commonly known as Delta Force, Delta, or The Unit, it was formed under the designation 1st SFOD-D, and is officially referred to by the Department of Defense...
, KSK operators are frequently requested for joint anti-terror operations, most notably in the Balkans and Middle East.
History
Until the KSK’s formation in 1996, the West German (and later German) government assigned all counter-terrorist and special operations activities to the famed GSG 9GSG 9
The GSG 9 der Bundespolizei , is the elite counter-terrorism and special operations unit of the German Federal Police.-History and name:...
; a highly trained police force created shortly after the tragic events that transpired during the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. Up until this time, the army’s Fernspäher, the navy’s Kampfschwimmer
German commando frogmen
This article is about Germany's commando frogmen. See also Minentaucher.For other nations' commando frogmen, and information about frogmen in general, see Frogman....
, and (until 1989) the Nuclear Weapons Protection Platoons - Sonderwaffenbegleitkompanien were the only military units comparable to anything that other nations may have seen as dedicated Special Forces units. Following the KSK’s activation on April 1, 1997, all but one of the Fernspäherkompanie have been either disbanded or merged into the newly constituted unit.
Just like all German military units, KSK deployments require authorization from both the German Bundestag
Bundestag
The Bundestag is a federal legislative body in Germany. In practice Germany is governed by a bicameral legislature, of which the Bundestag serves as the lower house and the Bundesrat the upper house. The Bundestag is established by the German Basic Law of 1949, as the successor to the earlier...
and the German Federal Government. The unit has engaged in numerous anti-terror campaigns both in Europe and abroad; known engagements include operations inside Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russia, and most recently in Afghanistan. As is to be expected with such units, specific operational details such as success and casualty rates are deemed top secret and withheld even from the highest-ranking members of the Bundestag. This practice, however, has drawn heavy criticism that has resulted in future plans to increase transparency and accountability by relaying mission details to selected members of the Bundestag
Bundestag
The Bundestag is a federal legislative body in Germany. In practice Germany is governed by a bicameral legislature, of which the Bundestag serves as the lower house and the Bundesrat the upper house. The Bundestag is established by the German Basic Law of 1949, as the successor to the earlier...
in regards to actions taken by the KSK.
Structure
Combat ready units are divided into four commando companies of approximately one hundred men. The Special Commando Company is normally staffed with veteran members, taking on various supporting rolls. Each of the four commando companies have five specialized platoons, each with a unique specialty and ability that can be adapted to both the terrain and situation, depending on type action(s) required:- 1st Platoon: land insertions
- 2nd Platoon: intelligence gathering and airborne operations
- 3rd Platoon: amphibious operations
- 4th Platoon: operations in special geographic or meteorological surroundings (e.g. mountains or polar regions)
- 5th Platoon: reconnaissance gathering and sniperSniperA sniper is a marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles....
/counter-sniperCounter-sniper tacticsCounter-sniper tactics involves tactics used by a sniper against another sniper.The occurrence of sniper warfare has led to the evolution of many counter-sniper tactics in modern military strategies...
operations - Command Platoon
There are four commando squads in every platoon. Each of these groups consist of about four equally skilled members that have been hand-picked from the German Army into the platoon that best suits their abilities. Each group member is specially trained as either a weapons expert, medic
Medic
Medic is a general term for a person involved in medicine, especially emergency or first-response medicine, such as an emergency medical technician, paramedic, or a military member trained in battlefield medicine. Also the term is used toward a Nurse in pre-hospital care and/or emergency...
, combat engineer or communications expert, respectively. Additionally, some groups may contain other specialists, such as a heavy weapons or language expert.
Selection and training
Initially, only officers and non-commissioned officers of the Bundeswehr could apply for service with the KSK and the subsequent evaluation period. As a pre-requisite for entry, the Bundeswehr Commando Course ("EinzelkämpferlehrgangGerman commando course
The German commando course is a commando course offered by the German Bundeswehr.The course was established in the early 1980s and it is aimed on testing the physical and mental endurance of participants and to teach special skills and tactics necessary to operate and to survive under stressful...
") must have been completed by the applicant. Since 2005, however, applications have also been opened to civilians and enlisted personnel who must complete an 18-month Long Range Surveillance
Long Range Surveillance
Long Range Surveillance units are specially trained elite Surveillance units of the United States Army that are employed by Military Intelligence Units for gathering information from deep within hostile territories....
training cycle before the intense KSK selection process begins.
The selection process is divided into two phases: a three-week-long physical and psychological training regimen (normally garnering a 40% pass rate), and later a three-month-long physical endurance phase (normally garnering a 8-10% pass rate). During latter phase, the KSK use the Black Forest
Black Forest
The Black Forest is a wooded mountain range in Baden-Württemberg, southwestern Germany. It is bordered by the Rhine valley to the west and south. The highest peak is the Feldberg with an elevation of 1,493 metres ....
as their proving grounds for prospective operators. In this time, candidates must undergo a grueling 90-hour cross-country run, followed by a three-week international Combat Survival Course at the German Special Operations Training Center' (formerly the International Long Range Reconnaissance School) in Pfullendorf
Pfullendorf
Pfullendorf is a small historic city in the district of Sigmaringen in Baden-Württemberg in Germany.-Geography:Its location is in the district of Sigmaringen, 25 km north of Lake Constance and south of the Danube valley and therefore on the continental divide between the watersheds of the...
.
Upon successful completion of the selection process, candidates may be allowed to start their 2-3 year training cycle with the KSK. This training includes roughly twenty jungle, desert, urban, and counter-terrorism courses at over seventeen schools worldwide; in Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
for Arctic terrain, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
for mountainous terrain, El Paso
El Paso
El Paso, a city in the U.S. state of Texas, on the border with Mexico.El Paso may also refer to:-Geography:Colombia:* El Paso, CesarSpain:*El Paso, Santa Cruz de TenerifeUnited States:...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
or Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
for desert and/or bush training, San Diego for amphibious operations, and Belize
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
for jungle experience.
According to press releases from May 2008, the Bundeswehr aims to advance the attractiveness of service in the KSK to women. This is in part due to the fact that the KSK could never reach its targeted number of troops in the past. Although the KSK was not explicitly restricted to male troops since the Bundeswehr opened all units to women in 2001, so far, no woman has been able to pass the physical requirements of the KSK.
Weaponry
|-
!style="background: #e3e3e3"|Name
!style="background: #e3e3e3"|Type
!style="background: #e3e3e3"|Origin
!style="background: #e3e3e3"|Notes
|-
|align="center"|H&K P8
|align="center"|Semi-automatic pistol
|align="center"|
|
|-
|align="center"|H&K USP Tactical
Heckler & Koch USP
The USP is a semi-automatic pistol developed in Germany by Heckler & Koch GmbH of Oberndorf am Neckar as a replacement for the P7 series of handguns.-History:...
|align="center"|semi-automatic pistol
|align="center"|
|
|-
|
|-
|align="center"|H&K MP5
Heckler & Koch MP5
The Heckler & Koch MP5 is a 9mm submachine gun of German design, developed in the 1960s by a team of engineers from the German small arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch GmbH of Oberndorf am Neckar....
|align="center"|submachine gun
Submachine gun
A submachine gun is an automatic carbine, designed to fire pistol cartridges. It combines the automatic fire of a machine gun with the cartridge of a pistol. The submachine gun was invented during World War I , but the apex of its use was during World War II when millions of the weapon type were...
|align="center"|
|In various versions including the H&K MP5K and the MP5SD.
|-
|align="center"|H&K MP7
Heckler & Koch MP7
The MP7 is a German submachine gun manufactured by Heckler & Koch and chambered for the 4.6×30mm cartridge. It was designed with the new cartridge to meet NATO requirements published in 1989, as these requirements call for a personal defense weapon class firearm, with a greater ability to defeat...
|align="center"|Personal defense weapon
Personal defense weapon
A personal defense weapon is a compact semi-automatic or fully automatic firearm similar in most respects to a submachine gun, but firing an armor-piercing rifle round, giving a PDW better range, accuracy and armor-penetrating capability than submachine guns, which fire pistol-caliber cartridges...
|align="center"|
|
|-
|align="center"|H&K UMP
Heckler & Koch UMP
The UMP is a submachine gun developed and manufactured by Heckler & Koch. The UMP has been adopted by various agencies such as the U.S. Customs and Border Protection...
|align="center"|submachine gun
Submachine gun
A submachine gun is an automatic carbine, designed to fire pistol cartridges. It combines the automatic fire of a machine gun with the cartridge of a pistol. The submachine gun was invented during World War I , but the apex of its use was during World War II when millions of the weapon type were...
|align="center"|
|
|-
|align="center"|H&K G3
Heckler & Koch G3
The G3 is a 7.62mm battle rifle developed in the 1950s by the German armament manufacturer Heckler & Koch GmbH in collaboration with the Spanish state-owned design and development agency CETME ....
|align="center"|battle rifles
|align="center"|
|
|-
|align="center"|H&K G36
Heckler & Koch G36
The Heckler & Koch G36 is a 5.56×45mm assault rifle, designed in the early 1990s by Heckler & Koch in Germany as a replacement for the 7.62mm G3 battle rifle. It was accepted into service with the Bundeswehr in 1997, replacing the G3...
|align="center"|assault rifles
|align="center"|
|In different versions including the G36C
Heckler & Koch G36
The Heckler & Koch G36 is a 5.56×45mm assault rifle, designed in the early 1990s by Heckler & Koch in Germany as a replacement for the 7.62mm G3 battle rifle. It was accepted into service with the Bundeswehr in 1997, replacing the G3...
. May be fitted with the AG36
AG36
The AG36 is a single-shot 40 mm grenade launcher which operates on the High-Low System and was designed primarily for installation on the G36 assault rifle, designed by the German weapons manufacturing company Heckler & Koch of Oberndorf am Neckar...
grenade launcher.
|-
|align="center"|H&K 416
|align="center"|assault rifles
|align="center"|
|May be fitted with the AG36
AG36
The AG36 is a single-shot 40 mm grenade launcher which operates on the High-Low System and was designed primarily for installation on the G36 assault rifle, designed by the German weapons manufacturing company Heckler & Koch of Oberndorf am Neckar...
grenade launcher.
|-
|align="center"|G22
Accuracy International AWM
The AWM is a sniper rifle manufactured by Accuracy International. It is also known as the AWSM , which typically denotes the .338 Lapua Magnum version.-The Arctic Warfare Magnum system:...
|align="center"|Sniper rifle
Sniper rifle
In military and law enforcement terminology, a sniper rifle is a precision-rifle used to ensure more accurate placement of bullets at longer ranges than other small arms. A typical sniper rifle is built for optimal levels of accuracy, fitted with a telescopic sight and chambered for a military...
|align="center"|
|
|-
|align="center"|G24
Accuracy International AW50
The AW50 is a .50 BMG anti-materiel rifle designed by Accuracy International. It is a re-engineered version of the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare L96 sniper rifle .-Users:-See also:...
|align="center"|Sniper rifle
Sniper rifle
In military and law enforcement terminology, a sniper rifle is a precision-rifle used to ensure more accurate placement of bullets at longer ranges than other small arms. A typical sniper rifle is built for optimal levels of accuracy, fitted with a telescopic sight and chambered for a military...
|align="center"|
|
|-
|align="center"|H&K PSG-1
|align="center"|Sniper rifle
Sniper rifle
In military and law enforcement terminology, a sniper rifle is a precision-rifle used to ensure more accurate placement of bullets at longer ranges than other small arms. A typical sniper rifle is built for optimal levels of accuracy, fitted with a telescopic sight and chambered for a military...
|align="center"|
|
|-
|align="center"|H&K MG4
Heckler & Koch MG4
The MG4 is a belt-fed 5.56 mm light machine gun designed and developed by the German company Heckler & Koch. The weapon was developed in the late 1990s and was first seen publicly in September 2001. It has been selected to replace the 7.62 mm MG3 general-purpose machine gun in the Bundeswehr at the...
|align="center"|Squad automatic weapon
Squad automatic weapon
A squad automatic weapon is a weapon used to give infantry squads or sections a portable source of automatic firepower. Weapons used in this role are selective-fire rifles, usually fitted with a bipod and heavier barrel to perform as Light machine guns...
|align="center"|
|
|-
|align="center"|H&K 21
|align="center"|General purpose machine gun
General purpose machine gun
A general-purpose machine gun is a multi-purpose weapon: it is a machine gun firing a full-power rifle cartridge and which can be used in a variety of roles, from a bipod- or tripod-mounted infantry support weapon to a helicopter door gun or a vehicle-mounted support weapon...
|align="center"|
|
|-
|align="center"|Rheinmetall MG 3
|align="center"|General purpose machine gun
General purpose machine gun
A general-purpose machine gun is a multi-purpose weapon: it is a machine gun firing a full-power rifle cartridge and which can be used in a variety of roles, from a bipod- or tripod-mounted infantry support weapon to a helicopter door gun or a vehicle-mounted support weapon...
|align="center"|
|
|-
|align="center"|Remington 870
Remington 870
The Remington Model 870 is a U.S.-made pump-action shotgun manufactured by Remington Arms Company, Inc. It is widely used by the public for sport shooting, hunting, and self-defense. It is also commonly used by law enforcement and military organizations worldwide.-Development:The Remington 870 was...
|align="center"|Shotgun
Shotgun
A shotgun is a firearm that is usually designed to be fired from the shoulder, which uses the energy of a fixed shell to fire a number of small spherical pellets called shot, or a solid projectile called a slug...
|align="center"|
|
|-
|align="center"|FIM-92 Stinger
FIM-92 Stinger
The FIM-92 Stinger is a personal portable infrared homing surface-to-air missile , which can be adapted to fire from ground vehicles and helicopters , developed in the United States and entered into service in 1981. Used by the militaries of the U.S...
|align="center"|Air-defense system
|align="center"|
|
|-
|align="center"|Panzerfaust 3
Panzerfaust 3
The Panzerfaust 3 is a modern and disposable recoilless RPG anti-tank weapon developed between 1978 and 1985 and put into service by the Bundeswehr in 1992...
|align="center"|Rocket-propelled grenade
|align="center"|
|
|-
|align="center"|MILAN
MILAN
MILAN " is French and German for "kite bird") is a European anti-tank guided missile. Design of the MILAN started in 1962. It was ready for trials in 1971, and was accepted for service in 1972. It is a wire guided SACLOS missile, which means the sight of the launch unit has to be aimed at the...
|align="center"|Anti-tank guided missile
Anti-tank guided missile
An anti-tank missile , anti-tank guided missile , anti-tank guided weapon or anti-armor guided weapon is a guided missile primarily designed to hit and destroy heavily-armored military vehicles....
|align="center"|
/ |
|-
|align="center"|H&K GMG
|align="center"|automatic
Automatic firearm
An automatic firearm is a firearm that loads another round mechanically after the first round has been fired.The term can be used to refer to semi-automatic firearms, which fire one shot per single pull of the trigger , or fully automatic firearms, which will continue to load and fire ammunition...
grenade launcher
Grenade launcher
A grenade launcher or grenade discharger is a weapon that launches a grenade with more accuracy, higher velocity, and to greater distances than a soldier could throw it by hand....
|align="center"|
|-
Vehicles
- Mercedes-Benz G-ClassMercedes-Benz G-ClassThe original 460-series Geländewagen went on sale for civilian buyers in 1979, after having debuted in February of that year. It was offered with two wheelbases, a short wheelbase of 2,400 mm and a long one of 2,850 mm. One could choose between three body styles: A two-door short...
utility vehicles - AGF (Light infantry vehicle)AGF (Light infantry vehicle)The Rheinmetall LandSysteme Light Infantry Vehicle for Special Operations, or LIV , is a German light armoured utility vehicle developed from the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. It is also known by the names Serval, Wolf and AGF. As the name implies, the LIV is designed specifically for use by special...
- Yamaha ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) KODIAC 4x4
- EnduroEnduroEnduro is a form of motorcycle sport run on courses that are predominantly off-road. Enduro consists of many different obstacles and challenges...
Type KTM 640 LC 4 (Motorcycle) - Hägglunds Bandvagn 206Bandvagn 206Bandvagn 206 is a tracked articulated, all-terrain carrier developed by Hägglunds for the Swedish Army. It consists of two units, with all four tracks powered...
- SnowmobileSnowmobileA snowmobile, also known in some places as a snowmachine, or sled,is a land vehicle for winter travel on snow. Designed to be operated on snow and ice, they require no road or trail. Design variations enable some machines to operate in deep snow or forests; most are used on open terrain, including...
LYNX GLX 5900 FC/E Army - Klepper canoeFolding kayakA folding kayak is a direct descendant of the original Inuit kayak made of animal skins stretched over frames made from wood and bones. A modern folder has a collapsible frame made of some combination of wood, aluminium and plastic, and a skin made of a tough fabric with a waterproof coating...
s
Insignia
Beret and badge
Members of the KSK wear maroon berets as a symbol of their roots in airborne units. A metal badge is worn which consists of a sword surrounded by oak leaves. The flag of the Federal Republic of Germany is depicted on the bottom of the sword.Kommandoabzeichen
The Kommandoabzeichen (Commando badge) is a cloth patch worn on the left pouch of the uniform.The commando badge's design is similar to the metal badge worn on the beret.
It depicts a silver sword on light green background surrounded by oak leaves. The badge was permitted to be worn in 2000 by Federal President Johannes Rau
Johannes Rau
Johannes Rau was a German politician of the SPD. He was President of Germany from 1 July 1999 until 30 June 2004, and Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia from 1978 to 1998.-Education and work:...
.
Waffenfarbe
KSK units wear green as their WaffenfarbeWaffenfarbe
Waffenfarbe is a means the German military uses to distinguish between different corps or troop functions in its armed services...
, similar to infantry units. Before becoming an independent military force the KSK was a part of infantry units.
Map marking symbol
In international map marking symbols a rectangle frame with the letters SF are used to units such as the KSK. The SF stands for special forces. This example shows a special forces unit in company size.See also
- SpezialeinsatzkommandoSpezialeinsatzkommandoSpezialeinsatzkommandos are the special response units of the German state police forces. German SEKs are full-time units whose members do not perform any other duties, and are essentially the equivalent of American SWAT Teams...
- Special Air ServiceSpecial Air ServiceSpecial Air Service or SAS is a corps of the British Army constituted on 31 May 1950. They are part of the United Kingdom Special Forces and have served as a model for the special forces of many other countries all over the world...
- BrandenburgersBrandenburgersThe Brandenburgers were members of the Brandenburg German Special Forces unit during World War II.Units of Brandenburgers operated in almost all fronts - the invasion of Poland, Denmark and Norway, in the Battle of France, in Operation Barbarossa, in Finland, Greece and the invasion of Crete,...
- Special Activities DivisionSpecial Activities DivisionThe Special Activities Division is a division in the United States Central Intelligence Agency's National Clandestine Service responsible for covert operations known as "special activities"...
- Delta ForceDelta Force1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta is one of the United States' secretive Tier One counter-terrorism and Special Mission Units. Commonly known as Delta Force, Delta, or The Unit, it was formed under the designation 1st SFOD-D, and is officially referred to by the Department of Defense...
- SEAL Team Six