MARCOS commandos during a hostage-rescue demonstration in Mumbai. (File photo)
New Delhi: The Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force have allowed women officers to volunteer to join the special forces units of their respective services – MARCOS and Garud, officials in the defence establishment with knowledge about the two decisions told media. However, the women officers who want to join the special forces in their service must meet all the eligibility standards, including physical, as their male counterparts.
This development is seen as a watershed for gender equality in the two services. The special forces in the country’s armed forces have, so far, been the exclusive domain of men.
Both MARCOS (Marine Commandos) and Garud commandos undergo some of the toughest and uncompromising training courses in the world before being inducted. They are specially trained to undertake covert unconventional military operations, which involve high risks. They can operate in land, air, and sea. They are also deployed for counterinsurgency operations, like in the Kashmir valley, along with the Indian Army’s Para Special Forces.
The Indian armed forces don’t induct personnel directly into their special forces units. Those who join the special forces are all volunteers, who then must fulfil all the set criteria and successfully complete a rigorous training course. Only a handful of the total number of volunteers make through the course to become a special forces commando.
